Am I a Good Candidate for Gastric Bypass Surgery?

Today, there are many people struggling to control their body weight. Dieting and exercise may temporarily shed some pounds, but they inevitably come back. Excess weight can cause a huge number of health problems, including type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, joint pain, and other conditions. Experts have concluded that various types of surgery performed on the gastrointestinal tract are often the only way that an individual can shed their excess weight. These surgeries seem to act primarily by altering the hormones in the body that control appetite, insulin secretion, and metabolism, and most also reduce the body’s ability to absorb excessive nutrients. Gastric bypass surgery, offered by the Center for Metabolic and Obesity Surgery, is one option to consider when thinking about weight loss surgeries.

Who is a Candidate? 

Generally, only people who are seriously overweight (at least 100+ pounds overweight, BMI over 40) may be candidates for this procedure. People who are not quite that obese (BMI over 35) but have developed one or more of the following serious co-morbidities also may be candidates for this procedure:

• Type II diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Sleep apnea
• Fatty liver disease
• Arthritis
• Blood serum lipid abnormalities
• Heart disease
• Gastrointestinal disorders

People who are only 20 or 30 pounds overweight are usually not good candidates for this life-altering surgery even if they have developed one or more of the listed co-morbid conditions. In addition, seriously obese individuals have to try a number of different diets and exercise programs that fail to work before they can be considered to be candidates for gastric bypass surgery.

Long-Term Lifestyle Changes

Gastric bypass surgery is performed under general anesthesia, and for most patients the recovery time can be reduced if the procedure is performed laparoscopically. This also reduces the possibility of negative side effects and scarring. Dr. Beltre will review the risks that are usually associated with any surgical procedure with you so you have complete understanding of the decision you’re making. Our team of trained professionals will give you strict guidance on important, long-term lifestyle changes you will have to make in order to ensure the success of your gastric bypass surgery. Continuing a healthy diet and exercise is the most important, and you must also build and maintain relationships within a support network.

Give yourself the chance to achieve the weight loss you’ve already worked so hard for with gastric bypass surgery. Contact our office today, located in Maitland, FL, to schedule your consultation! The team at the Center for Metabolic and Obesity Surgery is looking forward to meeting you.