Thousands of people in the United States have bariatric surgery each year. Whether you are an ideal candidate for weight loss surgery should be discussed with your doctor. In general, bariatric surgery patients should have tried and failed to lose weight by traditional means such as diet and exercise before considering an operation. Here are some more characteristics bariatric surgeons look for in patients.
Age and Body Mass Index
Ideal candidates for weight loss surgery are typically between the ages of 18 and 65, although, in special cases, some surgeons may agree to operate on teens. In general, the National Institutes of Health requires that most bariatric patients have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or greater. For men, this works out to being about 100 or more pounds overweight. For women, this is about 80 or more pounds overweight.
Overall Health
If prospective patients are at high risk for disease, have life-threatening conditions due to their obesity or are genetically predisposed to obesity, this could also make them good candidates for surgery. Additionally, ideal patients have been obese for at least five years and have no history of alcohol or drug abuse. However, bariatric surgeons may refuse to operate on people with untreated mental health disorders.
Risks
Good candidates for weight loss surgery understand that there are many risks with any surgery, and bariatric operations are no different. Death or stroke are possible during any surgery, but weight loss operations carry some additional risks. These risks include infection, loosened staples and stomach leaks. Dumping syndrome, when food moves through the body too quickly, can also occur. Possible side effects to weight loss surgery include vomiting, weakness, nausea, diarrhea and ulcers. Gastric bypass patients, specifically, may develop nutritional deficiencies.
Gastric Banding
In addition, bariatric candidates have to meet specific requirements depending on the surgery they would like to have. For example, people interested in gastric band surgery (either the Lap-Band System or the Realize Band) may be likely candidates for the operation if they have existing obesity-related disease or illnesses. This can be true even if their BMIs are only between 35 and 39. These illnesses include high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Gastric Sleeve
Because gastric sleeve surgery is still new, there is no data that says about how many of these operations have been performed. In general, this type of bariatric surgery is for severely obese patients. Ideal candidates have a BMI of 60 or greater. People who cannot physically withstand the more invasive gastric bypass or cannot return for follow-up adjustments required with gastric banding operations may also be candidates for a gastric sleeve operation.
Duodenal Switch
Ideal candidates for duodenal switch surgeries have a BMI of 40 or greater. This operation may also be right for people with lower BMIs but with obesity-related diseases such as diabetes. However, with this complicated surgery come additional risks. Duodenal switch surgery may not be right for people with existing conditions such as heart problems.
