WHAT IS BARIATRIC SURGERY?
Bariatric surgery is surgery that is done to help with weight loss. There are specific indications that need to be in place for a candidate to be eligible for bariatric surgery. One of the indications is based on your Body Mass index (BMI) which is calculated based on your height and weight.
HOW DOES BARIATRIC SURGERY WORK?
It typically takes a team of people including but not limited to a behavioral health clinician, a dietitian, a bariatric surgeon and your primary care provider to coordinate your care when it comes to getting bariatric surgery and sometimes you need to work with these people for months before getting the surgery. Before you consider having bariatric surgery, it is important to commit to making lifestyle changes including a healthier diet and exercise so that after the surgery, there is a greater likelihood of you keeping the weight off.
“WHY” IS IT IMPORTANT FOR YOU?
Bariatric surgery is one of the ways we manage obesity especially in patients who have tried other ways to lose weight and have not been successful. The goal of the surgery is to help in reducing your risk of disease such as cancer, heart disease and other complications arising from obesity such as diabetes, sleep apnea and high blood pressure. It is a good idea to start making lifestyle changes before surgery.