Bariatric Surgery: Qualifications and Requirements

Gastric bypass surgery and other weight-loss surgeries that depend on altering the stomach and the digestive system are collectively called bariatric surgeries. Bariatric surgeries have been and still are the most popular weight-loss procedures.

Some bariatric surgeries depend on surgical changes that limit the amount of food you can consume, while others work by altering how many nutrients your body can absorb. Therefore, doctors usually go the extra mile in deciding whether you will be able to make the most out of your surgery or not.

If all the other traditional methods have failed, then here are some of the qualifications and requirements you need to meet certain conditions and requirements to be eligible for bariatric surgery. 

Your BMI Decides Everything

Usually, doctors never allow people with a BMI of less than 30 to perform this procedure. If you are obese with more than 100 pounds, then this surgery might be a must to avoid other risks and health complications. Obesity takes a toll on all life aspects, from physical conditions to deteriorated mental state. To prevent putting you at risk of heart disease, diabetes type 2, and other serious health conditions, some doctors might sometimes recommend bariatric surgeries.

As per the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS), candidates for bariatric procedures need to be more than 100 pounds overweight or with a BMI of more than 40 to qualify for this surgery. People with a BMI of 35 or more may need one or more conditions to qualify for bariatric surgery: obesity-related conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and similar diseases. It can also be recommended by doctors to individuals who have had a very hard time losing weight healthily. The ineffectiveness of weight loss technique can sometimes play an important role in deciding whether you are in dire need of bariatric surgery or not.

Cost of the Operation

The cost of operation is quite a variable because it highly depends on the location or country that you will be doing the surgery in. Those who are trying to avoid paying overly expensive costs for the surgery would want to consider doing it at a cheaper location. If you have access to Tijuana, Mexico, you should expect to deal with a network of experienced doctors and medical members. Medical doctors from Tijuana Bariatric Center recommend laparoscopy procedures for the higher safety standard. The short distance between the US and Tijuana is one of the reasons that put it at the top of locations for medical tourism.

Health History Matters

The health condition of individuals looking to perform bariatric surgery is taken into consideration before many other matters. There are some conditions that can manifest themselves in a much worse manner after the surgery, such as blood clot diseases, heart conditions, kidney stones, and certain nutrition deficiencies. Before you undertake the surgery, the medical team or your doctor will evaluate your medical condition by surveying the medications you take, alcohol intake, and nicotine intake, if there is any. You should expect to go through laboratory evaluation and physical examinations to ensure the probability of successful operation without any later complications.

Psychological state

Some mental health conditions, such as eating disorders, anxiety, severe bipolar, or major depression, may be the reason for obesity, and in this case, the psychological state will make it difficult to have bariatric surgery and maintain your health. So, if you have any of these conditions, you should opt for postponing your bariatric surgery and checking with your doctors how to manage your condition before preparing for the surgery to avoid any health complications.

Pre-surgery requirements

When you get the approval for bariatric surgery, you should start asking your medical consultants for instructions about surgery preparation, which may take weeks or months, depending on your mental and physical condition. Instructions may include some eating and drinking restrictions, to quit smoking, or to start a physical activity or exercise program. Even scheduling the surgery doesn’t mean that it’s finalized and confirmed; your doctor may need to delay or even cancel it till your mentally and physically ready.

Motivation and Age

Even if your medical condition checks out and you are all good to go, it’s important to take the time to revise your motivations and reasons for attempting this surgery. A team may want to assess your reasons for going forward to ensure that you are willing to do what it takes to get the best results and avoid any regrettable decisions. You need to take into account that you may have to follow a specific diet, which can be strict in some people’s opinion, in addition to certain exercises that can help you maintain weight loss and recover faster from the operation. Fortunately, there are no restrictive age limitations when it comes to the preferred age of the individual undergoing surgery. Recently, new research suggests that it can be quite safe and effective for individuals over 60.

While bariatric surgery idea sounds magical in solving all the problems you have with losing weight or reaching your ideal body goal, still these types of surgeries aren’t for everyone. There are some strict requirements and qualifications to follow to decide your eligibility for undergoing these procedures. Every surgery has its risks, side effects, and possible health complications.

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