Are you a candidate for obesity surgery?

Am I a candidate for obesity surgery?

Although, at present obesity surgery has been clearly shown to help with lasting major weight loss in the majority of severely overweight people, it is, nevertheless, a major step and you must be sure that it is the best way forward for you.

You may very well be a good candidate for gastric balloon if your body mass index (BMI) is below 35 or more than 35 for gastric band..

What are the main types of obesity surgery available?

If changes to diet and exercise are not effective, your doctor may consider medicines for weight loss. Beyond this, if you are morbidly obese, or if you have a BMI between 35 and 40 and have a risk factor for an obesity-related disease, you can be considered for obesity surgery, such as:

Gastric Banding

Gastric banding (lap banding) limits the capacity of the stomach. This means that after eating a small amount of food, you feel full. Keyhole surgery is used to tie an inflatable band around the top part of the stomach, creating a small pouch at the top. This limits the amount of food your stomach can hold. Food then slowly passes from the pouch into the lower part of your stomach and on into your digestive system.

The operation is reversible.

Gastric Balloon

Gastric balloon is not a permanent surgical procedure for weight loss. It involves a medical balloon type device being inserted into the stomach to reduce amount of food being eaten.

The balloon is usually kept in for upto 6 months during which time you will have become used to eating less food.

Click here to learn more about gastric balloon.

More Information on Obesity Surgery

» Obesity surgery FAQ
» Obesity facts
» What is my BMI?
» Are you a candidate for obesity surgery?
» What are the different types of obesity surgery?
» Gastric banding
» Gastric balloon
» What are the risks of obesity surgery?
» How your life will change after weight loss surgery?

Important questions to ask yourself...

The following questions can help you decide if gastric banding or a gastric bypass might be of benefit for you:

1. Have you established how much weight you need to lose? Obesity surgery is an option for people who have a body mass index (BMI) above 28.
2. Because obesity surgery is considered a last-resort solution for people who are unable to lose weight by any other means, have you tried other weight loss methods, such as diets and exercise, without success? Have you tried such methods repeatedly?
3. As with any operation, there are risks and potential side effects of obesity surgical procedures. So you need to ask yourself if you are prepared to undergo the risks of a major surgical procedure.
4. Are you in a state of good emotional health? If you are suffering from depression or other emotional conditions you may be advised to receive treatment for these conditions before making the decision to undergo obesity surgery.

Also, if you suffer from a serious heart or lung condition you may not be a good candidate for surgery.

Are your expectations realistic?

Most people who undergo obesity surgery can expect to lose two-thirds to three quarters of their excess weight. However, before committing to surgery it is essential to bear in mind that up to 25% of obesity surgeries are unsuccessful. This is because patients regain weight by slowly ingesting high-calorie foods or even eating quantities significant enough to stretch the stomach pouch after gastric bypass.

Excess skin (post-surgery)

Another aspect of extreme weight loss is the problem of excess skin or unattractive fat pockets and the possible need for plastic surgical procedures to correct these problems. The good news is that we are able to offer a comprehensive range of body contouring procedures to help correct the problems associated with dramatic weight loss.

Are you prepared for significant lifestyle changes?

Your eating patterns and practices will change drastically following obesity surgery. Nutritional supplements are necessary and extreme attention to diet is required. You will have to eat numerous small portions of food throughout the day rather than large meals. You may be also asked to stop smoking prior to the surgery or to begin physical exercise.

Find out more

If you would like to find out more about obesity surgery, or arrange a consultation, contact us today on by completing our online enquiry form for an immediate response.