Gastric Bypass Surgery: Am I Eligible?

In determining your eligibility for gastric bypass surgery, your body mass index (BMI) must be taken into consideration. This is a scientific measurement of your weight versus your height to determine if there is a weight problem. A BMI of 40 or higher is considered to be extremely obese.

That would be equal to being about 100 pounds over their ideal weight for men and 80 for women. Gastric bypass could also be a possibility for those with a BMI of 35, assuming there are accompanying health conditions associated with their obesity. Some of these other conditions are high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart disease, sleep apnea and type 2 diabetes.

Obtaining a Gastric Bypass Surgery Recommendation

If you have checked into available weight loss options and are considering a gastric bypass surgery, the initial step will be to schedule an appointment with your regular doctor, and consult with him or her about your options. They will not only be able to answer any health questions you may have, but they will also be able to discuss the different surgical procedures available to you. Even though your primary physician would not be the one performing a bypass, they usually make the initial referral and recommendation stating that you may be eligible for it.

As soon as your doctor has determined your eligibility for bariatric surgery, he will refer you to a bariatric surgeon specializing in weight loss. If gastric bypass surgery is recommended to treat your obesity, a schedule for the actual date of surgery may be set up once the surgeon is confident that you will stay committed to carrying out related follow-up care.

Prior to confirmation, your doctor will conduct a full medical history review, including patient information (including but not limited to age, sex, height, and weight), health conditions (i.e., presence of hypertension, elevated cholesterol level, heart ailments, and obstructive sleep apnea), allergies, medication and supplements, accidents, surgeries, hospitalizations, and other pertinent data (including past attempts at weight reduction and participation in medically-supervised weight reduction programs).

Gastric Bypass Surgery as an Option

Contrary to popular opinion, gastric bypass is not a miracle weight loss procedure. To gain the full effectiveness of the procedure, the patient will have to make serious lifestyle changes. There will be diet and exercise programs to start, which require a significant commitment.

It is important to make a personal choice to follow the post-surgery instructions from your doctor. If you're worried about the cost, you should check with your health insurance to determine if they cover this kind of procedure. The sooner you get started by consulting with your doctor, the sooner you will find relief and a new lease in life.