Having bariatric surgery is a big step on the road to long-term weight loss. Since every situation is unique, not every person is at the point where bariatric surgery warrants serious consideration. There are instances where bariatric surgery might be the most viable option to not only lose weight, but reduce the chances of weight-related health complications.

Weight-Related Mobility Limitations

Weight can become a significant hindrance, whether it contributes to back and joint pain, or in extreme cases, keeps you confined to the bed. Significant excess weight can cause irreparable damage to your joints and some people may require oxygen therapy because simple tasks make them short of breath. When you experience physical limitations, the process of having weight loss surgery can be more complex, but it may be life-saving. Beyond the normal approval process for surgery, your surgeon may require you to lose weight prior to the operation. Additionally, not every surgeon may be willing to perform surgery on people considered super-obese, so you may need to speak with a bariatric surgeon who specializes in performing the operation on people of your size.

Additional Health Problems

Some concurrent health problems can decrease the BMI requirement that makes you eligible for surgery. For example, people with diabetes or hypertension believed to be caused by their weight, can qualify with a BMI less than 40. There can be conflicting information on whether you can have surgery with some health issues, such as autoimmune diseases. Since there is conflicting information, this may be dependent on the type of autoimmune disease and the surgeon's discretion. People who have autoimmune diseases that affect the joints may benefit from bariatric surgery because weight loss could put less stress on sensitive joints. People with diabetes often leave the hospital no longer needing their diabetes medication, or only needing a lower dose. The effects of bariatric surgery on hypertension may take longer to become noticeable, but as you lose weight your blood pressure should decrease over time.

You Need A Revision

If you had a bariatric procedure, such as laparoscopic banding or the vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG), and you did not lose enough weight, a revision surgery might be helpful. People who had laparoscopic banding may choose to have any of the other bariatric surgeries. If you had VSG, your revision options will be limited to gastric bypass or duodenal switch. Transitioning from the VSG to gastric bypass means your stomach will be smaller and there is some degree of malabsorption because a new connection between your small intestines and your stomach is created. If you choose a duodenal switch, the surgery only needs to focus on bypassing a portion of the intestines, since a traditional duodenal switch includes the VSG. The opportunity for a revision can restore hope for people who may think there were no more options after their first procedure.

For some people, serious consideration of bariatric surgery can be life-saving and give them the opportunity to live an active and healthier life. When your weight is compromising your health, it may be necessary to choose a surgical approach to weight loss.