Bariatric Brat

Dear Curious,

An estimated 97 million Americans are overweight or obese – one third of the population. Thirty percent of men between the ages of 40 and 49 suffer from obesity, as do 40 percent of women. According to the National Institutes of Health, anyone weighing 20 percent or more than the ideal for his or her body is obese. At that point, the extra weight becomes a health risk, contributing to a number of conditions – many of them life-threatening.

It is well known that maintaining a healthy weight is a key factor in leading a healthy life. For some people regular diet and exercise are not enough to shed those unwanted pounds. In some cases, weight loss or bariatric surgery can be a viable, even life saving, option. If you might be a candidate, here are a few things to know about choosing weight loss surgery.

Step One
Give diet and exercise a sincere and committed try. Monitor your progress over a series of weeks or even months. If you have made great strides since beginning the program, you may not need to go under the knife after all. If you find that eating right and exercising are not yielding any results, you might want to consider consulting a doctor.

Step Two
Check your Body Mass Index (BMI) by going online and finding a BMI calculator. Enter your height and weight. If you have a BMI of 35 or higher (considered morbidly obese), or you are about 100 pounds over normal weight, you may be a candidate for weight loss surgery.

Step Three
Schedule a consultation with a surgeon who specializes in bariatric surgery, preferably one with plenty of experience and who is a member of a specialized surgical organization. Ultimately, only a qualified professional will be able to tell you whether you are a viable candidate for weight loss surgery.

Step Four
Attend weight loss counseling to talk about your expectations regarding weight loss surgery. Emotional counseling is a very important step in the process, as some people believe that bariatric surgery is a magic bullet that will resolve all of their weight issues.

Most importantly, be willing to make a great deal of lifestyle changes before and after the surgery. This means a lifetime of vitamin supplements, healthy eating habits and a commitment to staying active and exercising. Weight loss surgery patients can regain their weight if they do not make these vital changes.