Are you the right candidate for Weight Loss Surgery?
According to the 2018 global registry report on Bariatric surgery, published by the US National Library of Medicine; 394,431 patients have undergone weight loss surgery.
The majority of these surgeries were Sleeve gastrectomy, followed by Roux en Y gastric bypass operations, one anastomosis gastric bypass procedures, and lap band surgeries which were the least type of weight loss surgery taken by patients.
If you are deciding on undergoing bariatric surgery, there are certain factors to be considered beforehand. Most of these surgeries are irreversible, hence it is a life-long commitment for any patient.
The first thing you need to do is determine whether or not you are the right candidate for this surgery. Let’s go over some notes to help you identify if you are fit for surgery.
Who is the Ideal Candidate?
There are three factors your doctor would consider in assessing you for weight loss surgery. The first thing is your BMI. Ideal candidates are patients who have a BMI equal to or more than 40, and persons having a BMI of 35 or over and are experiencing life-threatening diseases caused by morbid obesity.
The second thing is knowing your weight loss history. Your doctor may ask you if you have previously tried many those treatments and how it was effective. There are people who, in spite of taking diet plans and changing their lifestyle, still have not made any progress with weight loss. For these patients, weight loss surgery is recommended.
Age is the third factor to be considered eligible for surgery. Generally, for adolescents, ages 12-17, weight loss surgery is not recommended. However, exceptional cases should be referred to a health facility with a strong recommendation from a physician.
There are also health factors that can affect a physician’s recommendation on whether or not a patient qualifies for surgery. These include hypertension, type II diabetes, asthma, sleep apnea, and cardiovascular disease.
How can a Patient become Ineligible?
Typically, good candidates for weight loss surgery are the ones who are experiencing obesity for more than 5 years. If you have been obese for less than 5 years, your physician may not consider you as a candidate for surgery.
Pregnant women and patients undergoing recovery are not advised to undergo any weight loss surgery. Additionally, certain medical conditions may remove your chances to become eligible for the operation, such as autoimmune diseases, which affect the body’s response to healing and recovery. You may not be considered for this surgery if you’re under certain medications that may affect bleeding and tissue recovery.
Consult with a Professional
Once you feel that you’re the right candidate for this surgery, immediately consult your professional. Specialists in weight loss surgery will then evaluate you and several tests will be conducted. During the consultation, you will also be assessed for your mental health. Having stable mental health and the right mindset is fundamental before going through the surgery.
If you live in the UAE, our experts in bariatric surgeries at Al Taie Center for laparoscopic and obesity surgery are more than welcome to accommodate your inquiries with regards to which weight loss surgery in Dubai is right for you.