Signs You Are Ready For Weight Loss Surgery
Being overweight is bad for your health. Weight loss surgery is an effective method of weight management for those who qualify. Below are some of the signs that indicate you can benefit from the surgery.
You Have a High BMI
Your body mass index (BMI) is a ratio of your body's mass to your height. A BMI between 18 and 24.9 is healthy. You qualify for weight loss surgery if your BMI is over 40. You should also consider weight loss if your BMI ranges from 35 to 39, but you also have significant health issues like high blood pressure or sleep apnea.
Note that BMI depends on various actors, including your age and built. Get your BMI from your doctor — not nonprofessionals.
Diet and Exercise Have Been Less Effective
Surgery should not be your first option if you want to lose weight. Ideally, you should try exercises and healthy eating first. Many people successfully lose weight via diet and exercise, but unfortunately, for various reasons, many people aren't able to lose weight with these traditional methods. Try weight loss surgery if you belong to this last category.
You Understand the Risks
All forms of surgery carry some risks, and weight loss surgery is not an exception. Potential complications include:
- Chronic nausea
- Unsatisfactory weight loss
- Ulcers
- Low blood sugar
- Internal bleeding
Your risk of complications depends on multiple factors, including your overall health. Your doctor will review your risks and weigh them against the risks of obesity. For many people, weight loss benefits outweigh the risks of weight loss surgery.
You Are Committed
You must commit to the post-operative instructions from your doctor. That is the only way you will reap the maximum benefits of the surgery. For example, the doctor may instruct you to:
- Commit to a specific diet for some time after the surgery
- Get regular medical checkups for some time after your surgery
- Commit to a healthy lifestyle (regular exercise and good nutrition)
Your doctor will give you an overview of what to expect during and after the surgery. Make sure you understand everything and can commit to following your doctor's prescriptions.
You Don't Abuse Alcohol
Ideally, you should avoid alcohol after your weight loss surgery. If you can't avoid alcohol forever, avoid it for the first six months and then drink in moderation. For one thing, even small amounts of alcohol can intoxicate you after surgery. Secondly, alcohol also has calories that can hinder your weight maintenance efforts.
For more information about weight loss surgery, contact a weight management clinic or physician.