When you think of weight loss, you’re likely thinking of starting a healthy exercise regime, eating right, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. But for some people, none of these tweaks and changes will be effective—which may make them candidates for weight loss surgery.
Some weight loss surgery (like liposuction and noninvasive fat reduction treatments) can be cosmetic. But we’re focusing here on the type of surgery people with health conditions like obesity may need—bariatric surgery.
Remember, obesity is not just significant weight gain. According to research, The National Institutes of Health declared obesity a disease in 1998. The American Obesity Society announced it as one in 2008, and The American Medical Association voted to recognize it as a disease in 2013.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), obesity is an epidemic in the U.S. As the CDC notes, over one-third of adults in the U.S. are obese, with the number continuing to rise—more than two in five adults has obesity.
And as data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found, in the U.S. alone, one in every 11 American adults has severe obesity. To find out more about the condition and the research surrounding it, check out our article on obesity.
Not everyone with obesity who has trouble losing weight is a candidate for bariatric surgery, but for those who are, this weight loss surgery can help with overall wellbeing. Read on to find out more.
No weight loss surgery can be a miracle cure for conditions like obesity. Instead, it’s a tool that can help people at risk of more severe complications if they don’t lose weight achieve and maintain long-term weight loss.
But for the surgery to be successful, patients need to be committed to making lifestyle changes and taking an active role in their own care.
Interestingly, one of the most important things patients can do is lose weight before the surgery. But before we get into that, let’s learn a little more about the surgery itself.
Bariatric surgery is a weight-loss surgery performed on people with conditions like obesity. The surgery works by restricting the amount of food that the stomach can hold or causing malabsorption of nutrients in the intestines.
Bariatric surgery is typically only performed on people who have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher or who have a BMI of 35 or higher and other obesity-related health problems.
The surgery is usually only performed after other weight-loss methods, such as diet and exercise, have failed.
Depending on what you need and what health conditions you have, your doctor may recommend different types of bariatric surgery.
There are two main types of weight-loss surgery: restrictive and malabsorptive.
Although bariatric surgery can be an effective way to lose weight and improve health for people who are obese, it’s a major decision.
Even if you’re a candidate for bariatric surgery, it’s essential to meet with a qualified bariatric surgeon to discuss your options before opting for the procedure. Each type of surgery has its risks and benefits, so it is important to talk to your surgeon about which procedure is right for you.
In addition to meeting with your surgeon, you will also need to meet with a nutritionist to develop a healthy eating plan post-surgery. It is also important to commit to making lifestyle changes such as regular exercise.
Another thing to note is that while bariatric surgery can be an effective way to lose weight, it's not right for everyone.
Bariatric surgery is usually only recommended for people who suffer from morbid obesity and have been unable to lose weight through diet and exercise. These patients are typically at a higher risk of or already experiencing various health problems, including but not limited to:
While there are exceptions, most people need to lose at least 10 percent of their body weight before undergoing bariatric surgery.
There are several reasons for this requirement:
So people must meet the weight requirements before undergoing bariatric surgery.
When it comes to weight-loss surgery, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. The best way to determine if weight-loss surgery is right for you is to work with a qualified healthcare provider to assess your individual needs.
They will consider several factors, including your current weight, health history, and body mass index (BMI).
If you are considering weight-loss surgery, it is essential to understand the risks and potential complications involved. These procedures are not without risks, and there is no guarantee of success.
However, weight-loss surgery can be an effective tool for achieving long-term weight loss and improving overall health for many people. If you are considering weight-loss surgery, be sure to work with a healthcare provider who can help you decide whether or not this procedure is right for you.
Losing weight before bariatric surgery can have several benefits:
So most surgeons will ask some patients to lose a certain amount of weight before they are considered for bariatric surgery. It may be as little as 10 percent of body weight and as much as 50 percent. In rare cases, it may be more than 50 percent.
But regardless of the amount necessary, losing weight before bariatric surgery can make the procedure safer and more effective. So it’s essential to work with your doctor to develop a plan for pre-operative weight loss.
Since it’s not a cosmetic weight loss surgery, does insurance cover bariatric surgery? Many insurance companies provide coverage for bariatric surgery, though each company has different requirements that you must meet before getting approval for this type of surgery.
Meeting these requirements can be difficult for many people, but it is important to remember that bariatric surgery is a serious procedure with potentially serious complications.
If you think you meet your insurance company's requirements for bariatric surgery, speak to your doctor to see if you are a good candidate for the procedure.
Since bariatric surgery for people who have not had a successful weight loss surgery through other means, how do you lose weight before the procedure?
Can a low-calorie diet help now if it hasn’t during previous weight loss journeys? The best way to find the answers to these questions is to consult with a healthcare professional before you decide to get the procedure.
In the meantime, here are some dietary tweaks that may help.
In preparation for your surgery, you'll need to change your diet to lose weight and get your body ready for surgery. Here are just a few:
When you undergo bariatric surgery, your stomach capacity reduces, and your intestine is re-routed to absorb fewer calories and nutrients from food.
So you may have to change your diet and lifestyle after surgery to make sure you are getting the right amount of nutrition while consuming fewer calories.
Changing your diet can be difficult, but it is crucial to make these changes for a successful outcome after bariatric surgery. Working with a dietitian can also help here.
One of the most important aspects of post-operative care is exercise. Regular exercise helps to speed up your metabolism, promote weight loss, and improve overall health.
Patients who have undergone bariatric surgery need to take special care when starting an exercise program. It is essential to consult with a doctor or physical therapist before beginning any new activity.
They can help create a safe and effective workout plan that meets each patient's individual needs. Additionally, it is important to start slowly and gradually increase the intensity of workouts as tolerated.
By following these guidelines, patients can safely and effectively improve overall health and wellbeing after bariatric surgery.
Losing weight before your gastric surgery can help to improve your surgical outcome and decrease your risk of complications.
Here are 11 tips to help you lose weight safely and effectively before surgery:
There is no magic pill when it comes to losing weight and keeping it off. The only way to truly achieve long-term weight loss is by understanding more about your body’s specific needs. That’s where continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) come in.
CGMs provide real-time data about your blood sugar levels. You can use this information to tailor your diet and exercise regimen to fit your needs better.
When you sign up for the NutriSense CGM Program, you can use your sensor with an innovative app that tracks your blood glucose levels in real-time. There’s also a team of credentialed dietitians and nutritionists to help you make sustainable lifestyle changes.
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