Unlike many diet and cosmetic options, medical weight loss candidates meet certain criteria to qualify for our medical weight loss program, including the following:
- 18 years old or older and capable of making medically sound decisions for themselves.
- Have a BMI of 40 or greater to qualify for most bariatric surgery options in the absence of obesity-related health concerns. A body mass index of 35 or higher is also acceptable with existing medical comorbidities, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, or heart disease. BMI is one of the most important factors used to determine candidacy and treatment options, weight is another. Though most procedures have a minimum BMI of 35, there are options for those who struggle to achieve a healthy weight but do not have a high enough BMI to qualify otherwise, such as exceeding their ideal weight by 100 or more pounds.
- A BMI of 40 or greater means potential weight loss surgery patients don’t necessarily need to have one or more obesity-related disorders like sleep apnea, diabetes, etc. to qualify for gastric bypass, duodenal switch, or Lap-Band® weight-loss surgeries.
- Difficulty losing weight from previous dieting and weight loss attempts. Sometimes, even with the best of efforts, losing weight can become difficult. Some people experience immediate success and quickly shed a few pounds before their efforts plateau, others experience little to no changes in size, or short-term success only to see the weight come right back after the dieting stops.
Ready to commit to a long-term treatment plan. Weight loss surgery is not a fly-by-night or a quick way to drop excess weight. After the procedure, patients must be willing to follow treatment recommendations and make positive and healthy changes to their lives for the long-term.
My New Beginning Medical Weight Loss Surgery Options
Part of qualifying for weight loss surgery is having the right medical profile. Potential candidates must undergo a full medical evaluation to determine risks factors that may impact their chances of benefiting from the following medical weight loss treatments.
Gastric Sleeve
Patients considering the gastric sleeve procedure should keep in mind that the procedure is irreversible. There is an elevated risk of malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies, so proper nutrition and food choices are key. The benefits are patients eat less food because their stomachs have a smaller capacity. The excess pounds fall off quicker than alternative medical procedures. The results are dramatic. On average, patients lose up to 50% of their excess weight within the first few months to a year.
Duodenal Switch
Duodenal switch patients experience fewer food intolerances and can consume larger meal sizes than possible with the bypass and band methods. Due to its revised structure, the stomach processes food and absorbs nutrients differently and more efficiently so the excess pounds fall off and stay off longer.
Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass or Gastric Bypass
This procedure reduces the size of the stomach and attaches it to an anterior area of the smaller intestine to shorten the time it comes in contact with the rest of the digestive tract, thus causing patients to eat smaller portion sizes. Consuming fewer meals while remaining full longer causes a major reduction in weight loss. Many patients also experience an increase in energy.
Gastric Band or LAP-BAND®
Gastric Band is a medical procedure that changes the shape and size of the stomach with a silicone band, so patients consume less food. It is an ideal solution for patients who are not quite yet ready to commit to having their stomach or intestines cut or revised but eager to experience the advantages of weight loss surgery. It is also one of the lowest risk options to help people achieve their ideal or a healthier weight. Gastric band surgery is reversible and can be adjusted as needed to better accommodate the patient’s needs during their weight loss journey. Benefits include anywhere from a 40 to 50% decrease in excess weight within the first year, a short postoperative stay, usually patients being discharged home the same day to complete their recoveries and there are lower complication and nutrient/vitamin deficiency risks.
da Vinci Robotic Surgery
Gastric sleeve can also be performed robotically with the da Vinci Robotic Surgery system to reduce the stomach into a small tube. The robotic system gives the surgeon greater control, dexterity, and precision so that fewer and smaller incisions and manipulations are necessary to help patients achieve the desired results. This gives patients less scarring, pain, and better results in less time. Recovery is easier for patients to manage since there are fewer risks and a high success rate.
Weight loss surgery is a safe and effective way to shed those stubborn pounds without the stress and effort of fad diets and activities that do little to address common challenges obese and overweight people experience. Because medical weight loss is a big commitment to make, anyone who is interested in making the leap should discuss their situation with a weight-loss professional to learn options that accommodate their health and weight goals to keep their expectations realistic.
To learn how to calculate your BMI click here or to learn if you qualify for weight loss surgery, call My New Beginning Weight Loss Center at (214) 324-6127 or use our online form to schedule a consultation.