Weight Loss Surgery Medical Considerations
Considering minimally invasive weight loss surgery to help you lose weight and live
a healthier lifestyle? Only a qualified bariatric surgeon can help you decide which procedure is best for you.
Before you schedule your consultation with a bariatric surgeon, determine if you meet the minimum criteria:
At least 100 pounds overweight
At least 18 years old
Obese for more than 5 years
A
Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or more, or at least 35 with one or more obesity-related health conditions, is also a requirement. If you are pregnant, drink alcohol in excess, or suffer from another disease which may cause obesity, you may not qualify.
Weight Loss Surgery Basics
Laparoscopic surgery became a preferred surgical method in the United States in the early 1990s. Today, thousands of laparoscopic procedures are performed each year. To perform laparoscopic weight loss surgery, your bariatric surgeon creates several small incisions in the abdomen, called ports, through which long, slender instruments can be inserted into the abdomen. A high resolution camera and thin tubular telescope are inserted, allowing your surgeon to see' inside your abdomen via a TV monitor.
Preparing for Weight Loss Surgery
After your surgeon qualifies you for weight loss surgery, you may be asked to make certain preparations to transition to a healthier lifestyle.
Lose weight
For two weeks before surgery, follow a high-protein, low calorie liquid diet to begin the weight loss process and shrink a fatty liver, a common occurrence in the obese. Dr. Carson Liu, a respected
Los Angeles bariatric surgeon, explains, "When the patient is lying down during surgery, the liver naturally covers the upper stomach and esophagus. To implant the LAP-BAND device, the liver must be lifted up to expose the stomach. A fatty liver is fragile, making this step in the procedure more difficult."
Exercise
Your bariatric surgeon may ask you to kickstart' your weight loss with a reasonable walking program. When exercise becomes a habit before surgery, you are more likely to continue exercising after surgery.
Quit Smoking
Smokers heal more slowly after surgery. They also are at greater risk for gastrointestinal ulcers, which can interfere with the LAP-BAND device.
Develop Emotional Readiness
For overweight individuals, food is emotionally important. Gaining a deeper understanding of why you overeat is crucial to your success with weight loss surgery. Seek professional help or join a weight loss support group.
Weight Loss Surgery Medical Considerations
By: Sara Goldstein
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