DO YOU QUALIFY FOR WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY?

Weight loss surgery was first introduced in the 1960s, but it wasn’t until 2001 when the FDA approved the LAP-BAND that surgery became a more accessible option in the battle against obesity. It was then that weight reduction surgery quickly became a popular procedure, and remains so today. But there are still plenty of misperceptions about it, including how it works, who can have it, and its long-term consequences.

First it must be noted that like any surgery, weight loss surgery is not something to be taken lightly. By definition it is invasive and comes with the risk of complications. But for some people it may be truly necessary to improve their health and even save their lives.

Types of Weight Loss Surgery

There are several different types of surgery that aim to achieve weight loss by restricting food volume capacity in the stomach, reduce absorption of calories by the small intestine, or a combination of both. They all involve reconfiguring components of the digestive system to facilitate the weight loss process. The laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (brand name LAP-BAND as mentioned above) and Roux-en-Y approaches were initially the most popular forms of the surgery, but gastric sleeve has since assumed the lead in the last few years, comprising more than half of all weight loss surgeries.

Weight Loss Surgery Eligibility

The advent of liposuction may have created the misperception that weight loss surgery is an option for everyone, when in fact, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Most types of weight loss surgery require that patients have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 and higher, or 35 and higher with at least one comorbid condition, such as Type 2 diabetes, hypertension or severe sleep apnea. Surgeons also assess patients psychological status, other health risk factors for surgery and past weight loss program attempts before conspiring them to be candidates for the procedure.

And that’s the just medical assessment. If you want to make sure your weight loss surgery is covered financially, you will need to satisfy a checklist of the insurance company’s pre-approval requirements. In most cases, your insurer will request proof that you have successfully completed a minimum number of weeks on a medically-directed weight loss program. Insurance coverage is often denied if patients cannot produce this type of documentation. Check here to see what your insurance company’s specific weight loss surgery requirements are insurance company’s specific weight loss surgery requirements.

Long-Term Consequences

When you reach your ideal weight through non-surgical means, you then enter the weight maintenance phase, which means you actively manage your current weight for the rest of your life. The same is true for weight loss through surgery. Just because your internal plumbing has been re-engineered does not give you carte blanche to forego all of the behaviors required to keep weight off. In fact, there are often very restrictive diet guidelines post-operative weight loss patients must follow to make sure they do not create any additional issues or increase the risk of regaining weight. In the weeks after surgery, patients must often follow a liquid diet very low in daily calories. And then in the ensuing weeks, they can build up to include more solid food, but there are several items probably should be avoided in the long-term, including carbonated drinks and even chewing gum. Many people experience positive outcomes from weight loss surgery, but like anyone in the weight maintenance phase, adoption of and commitment to new lifestyle behaviors is a likely driver of success in the long-term.

The exciting thing about our modern society is that there is an increasing level of medical science and technology to treat weight issues. But it is important to make sure you collect all of the important facts about them to be convinced of their effectiveness and safety. And of course, make sure to discuss them, as well as your personal goals, with your doctor or medical provider before embarking on any weight loss journey. Whether surgery is in the picture or not, you must be certain your solution is best for you.