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Am I a candidate for Weight Loss Surgery? Aside from a few exceptions, the following criteria generally must be met before an individual is considered a candidate for obesity surgery.
Certain medical conditions, as discussed in the previous section, are aggravated by obesity and are not contraindications for surgery but rather reasons why the surgery should be performed. Significant psychiatric illness is a contraindication to a gastric reduction procedures unless the illness is certified as stable and improving by a therapist. Significant psychiatric illness not under control can be aggravated by weight loss surgery. It should be noted that recent studies have shown that morbidly obese persons do not have a higher incidence of significant psychiatric illness when compared to individuals of normal weight. The feelings of low self-esteem, lack of self-confidence, frustration, food cravings and obsession, anxiety and mild depression are present to some degree in almost all patients with morbid obesity and are not considered "psychiatric illnesses". These symptoms almost always improve after surgery and adequate weight loss. Your decision - The decision about whether to have bariatric surgery is complex, personal, and very important. Deciding to undergo a bariatric surgical procedure will change your life in a dramatic and permanent way - there is no such thing as too much careful consideration. Even if you are very interested in having surgery, you are best served if you first meet one of our and you and the surgeon together agree it is the right thing for you. Here are some considerations that go into the decision about whether surgery is offered as an option, and whether the patient chooses the surgical option. (Continued below...) |
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Louis G. Fares, II, M.D.
John Bock, MS, RD, CNSD
BMI CALC
Fares Surgical Associates, PA
Copyright
© 2006
Weight -Surgery is only offered when a patient is so heavy that they meet the medical definition of morbid obesity. For patients who are not this heavy, the risk of surgery outweighs the expected health benefits of the weight loss. Bariatric surgery should not be done for only cosmetic reasons. Only in rare extenuating circumstances will bariatric surgery be considered in someone who does not meet weight criteria. Ability to comply with therapy - You must be able to follow the advice of your surgeon, especially regarding dietary habits after surgery. Bariatric surgery is not magic, and it is unrealistic if a patient depends on the procedure to "just take care of the weight" in some automatic way. Dietary habits that we recommend after a gastric bypass are simple and very effective if adhered to. As you explore this site, you will learn that bariatric surgery is a powerful tool to achieve long-lasting weight loss only if used correctly. Other medical conditions - Some people who are severely obese are extremely ill as a result of their obesity. In these individuals, the excess weight has caused significant and permanent damage to one or more organ systems. The most commonly affected organs are the lungs (sleep apnea), the heart (congestive failure or coronary artery disease), the kidneys (damage from diabetes or high blood pressure), and bones and joints (damage from stress and arthritis). Medical problems like these increase the risk of any major surgical procedure including bariatric surgery, but they also strengthen the need for weight loss. In other words, significant medical problems require careful consideration, but do not necessarily contraindicate surgery. Age - If you are at the extremes of the age spectrum, you will also require extra consideration to evaluate the appropriateness of surgery. Patients who are older than their 70's may be at higher-than-average risk for the surgery. You will be evaluated individually as to your ability to tolerate surgery. On other young side of the age spectrum, the concern is not medical risk but more a question of whether you can really understand what you are getting into. Young people must demonstrate exceptional maturity and independent thought to be good candidates for a bariatric surgical procedure. In short, there are not firm age limits in our practice, just a higher level of concern at the high and low ends of the age spectrum. Visit our hospital by clicking on our logo: |
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