Men's Health

Ask Your Doctor Discussion Guide: Introduction to Bariatric Surgery As a Weight Loss Option

The two most widely selected restrictive and restrictive/malabsorptive procedures include adjustable gastric banding (restrictive) and gastric bypass (restrictive/malabsorptive).

Am I a good candidate for weight loss surgery?
You and your doctors—your primary care provider (PCP) and your weight loss surgeon—need to consider many factors prior to determining if weight loss surgery is right for you. As you go through the decision process, ask yourself if you are up to the challenges you will face.

• First of all, you will be required to have a full medical examination. Your doctors will also consider other factors that are unrelated to your weight by performing a comprehensive psychological and behavioral assessment. Significant psychological issues (major depression, alcohol or drug abuse or bulimia, for example) that may affect your ability to care for yourself after surgery would make it too risky to undergo surgery.
• Bariatric surgery will require you to visit your doctor regularly for follow-up appointments. If you choose the adjustable gastric band procedure, the surgeon will make any necessary adjustments to your band during these appointments. Because the surgery creates physical changes to your stomach (and intestine, if you elect to have a gastric bypass), the routine visits will ensure long-term weight loss success.
• Weight loss surgery is usually reserved for people who are seriously overweight, and therefore at a higher level of medical risk, and those who continue to have a longstanding weight problem despite making numerous attempts to lose weight.

Weight loss surgery may be suitable if:

• Your BMI is 40 or higher or your BMI is at least 35 and you have other serious medical conditions related to obesity. Body mass index (BMI) is a method doctors use to estimate how much excess weight a person has in relation to their height. It is an accurate and easy way to determine if you are within an acceptable range, overweight, or obese.
• You are over 18 years of age.
• You were not successful in losing and maintaining your weight by other means, despite making many attempts through diet, exercise and medications.
• You are committed to making permanent lifestyle changes, and you are psychologically and behaviorally prepared to care for yourself after surgery

Your weight loss surgeon will ultimately determine if bariatric surgery is right for you, so be sure to ask your surgeon about your individual case.

How do I calculate my BMI?
To calculate your BMI, enter your height and weight into the BMI calculator at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Web site. A BMI of 30 or above is considered obese. Once you determine your BMI, use the table below to identify your weight category.

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