What is the Best Age for Weight Loss Surgery?
Unfortunately, obesity does not have an age limit, but luckily, it is becoming increasingly clear that weight loss surgery does not either. Obesity is a progressive disease that is caused as much by genetics and unique metabolic factors as it is by age, environment, and lifestyle choices, and once a life-time spiral of weight gain, dieting, followed by more weight gain have taken hold, metabolic changes in the body make losing weight increasingly more difficult. More critically, over time obesity brings with it a host of health issues that are highly detrimental to quality of life and longevity, health issues that often times can be quickly resolved with metabolic surgery. Thus, for many adults, regardless of age, the threat posed by obesity-related health concerns is greater than the risks posed by metabolic surgery!
So if you have spent a life-time struggling–and failing–to achieve your weight loss goals, do not let your age stop you: it is never too late to find the strength and determination to made a radical change and finally achieve your ideal size and shape!
The key to safe, successful weight loss surgery lies not in age but in careful screening for risk factors that would make any surgical procedure unsafe. At Beltre Bariatrics Center for Metabolic and Obesity Surgery, located in beautiful Maitland, Florida, we have developed a rigorous screening process for all weight loss surgery candidates to ensure that we perform only those procedures that are safe and appropriate for each unique individual. Dr. Wiljon Beltre, Board Certified lead surgeon, firmly believes that metabolic and bariatric surgery is often the best way to treat obesity and the health problems it brings, but only when performed on well-informed, committed patients, when performed with cutting-edge surgical techniques, and when followed-up with a dedicated, comprehensive, long-term support system.
At your initial consultation, Dr. Beltre will work carefully with you to ensure that you understand the benefits and potential risks of every surgical weight loss option and help you select the option that is best suited to improve your weight, your health, and your quality of life.
Weight Loss Surgery Over 60
Traditionally, metabolic and bariatric surgery has been considered too risky for many patients over the age of 60; however, recent studies have begun to show that there need not be a strict age limit on when is “too old” for metabolic or bariatric surgery. All patients who are interested in pursuing weight loss surgery, regardless of age, must undergo a rigorous pre-screening process to ensure that surgery is a safe and appropriate option. While age is one factor in the screening process, more important factors determining eligibility include:
- Existence of additional health problems, particularly cardiac or pulmonary, that would make surgery too risky;
- History of past attempts to lose weight non-surgically;
- Willingness to commit to the life-long lifestyle changes required by weight loss surgery;
- Psychological evaluation to determine if there are undiagnosed depression or addiction issues that could be exacerbated by weight loss surgery.
Thus, adults of any age may be candidates for weight loss surgery with the assistance of a careful screening process. While surgery presents additional risks as individuals age, age alone is not a determining factor in eligibility for metabolic and bariatric surgery.
Weight Loss Surgery Under 18
Weight loss surgery is generally not recommended for individuals under the age of 18, although exceptions can be made on a case-by-case basis. Adolescents are still in a period of physical and mental development that makes major surgery requiring a long-term commitment to potentially difficult lifestyle changes inappropriate in most cases. Adolescents who are interested in pursuing weight loss surgery can begin the process with a preliminary commitment to non-surgical weight loss, appropriate life-style changes, and participation in a weight loss support network in order to more fully understand the long-term changes that weight loss surgery will require before pursuing surgical treatment.
Are You a Candidate for Weight Loss Surgery?
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Contact Beltre Bariatrics Center for Metabolic and Obesity Surgery
At The Center for Metabolic and Obesity Surgery, we offer bariatric surgery in Orlando that will empower you to achieve your weight loss goals, improve your health and appearance, and rebuild your self-confidence. Led by esteemed, Board Certified surgeon Dr. Wiljon Beltre, one of the only fellowship-trained bariatric surgeons in Central Florida, we specialize in the latest cutting-edge procedures for safe, effective surgical weight loss coupled with a dedicated support team of caring, experienced specialists who will stand by your side to support you throughout your entire weight loss journey. Significant weight loss is not easy, but with the help of with our confidential consultation and education process, the surgical skill and experience of our medical team, and the advice and guidance of our ongoing support network, we can help you achieve the lasting weight loss success you have been dreaming about.
If you are tired of the endless rounds of fad dieting and fruitless exercise regimens and think you may be ready for significant weight loss with metabolic or bariatric surgery, or if you would like more information on all of the weight loss procedures at Beltre Bariatrics, contact us today for a free, individual consultation. We look forward to helping you start your weight loss journey today!
DISCLAIMER: Metabolic surgery involves a lifetime commitment to significant lifestyle changes, and is not for everyone. Individual results differ depending on each patient’s medical history and willingness and ability to adhere to the weight loss program specified by Dr. Beltre. As with all surgical procedures, all forms of metabolic surgery carry the risk of complications and side effects; additional details about potential complications, side effects, and other risks will be provided to you by Dr. Beltre during your pre-surgical consultations.
The doctors at Beltre Bariatrics Center for Metabolic & Obesity Surgery have reviewed and approved this content.
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