Weight Loss Surgery

» Barbara Nicholson Bell - Any restrictions?

Mary, have you read whether there are restrictions on who is eligible for this surgery? Are there other conditions a person might have that would prevent him from benefitting from bypass surgery? An upper weight limit that would make the surgery too difficult or dangerous?

Thanks!

-- posted by Barbara Nicholson Bell

Permalink Print Discussion Email Discussion Join the latest discussions

» Sadie426 - Re: Any restrictions?

In response to message posted by bici:

Yes, there are restrictions for this surgery and as with any surgery there is a certain amount of risk involved. Although criteria may vary from doctor to doctor here is a basic guidline:

· Patient must be between the age of 16 and 55

· Patient must have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 kg/m2 or above, or a BMI of 35 to 40 kg/m2 with comorbidity,

· Patient must weigh no more than 350 lbs.

· Patient must have no history of major abdominal surgery, although some procedures such as gallbladder removal may be acceptable.

I hope this helps!

-- posted by Sadie426

Permalink Print Discussion Email Discussion Join the latest discussions

» ghaziya - A Case Study

A few decades ago, my aunt decided to have the gastric bypass surgery. For the first several months after the surgery, she did lose a lot of weight. But then, the weight all came back over the course of 2-3 years. She just ate more frequently. Also, her metabolism adjusted to the reduced food intake.

One problem was that she didn't exercise. She never has been very active. There was nothing to stimulate her metabolism into burning calories.

I think she's around 80 years old now, and weighs just as much (maybe more) as she did before the surgery all those years ago. Recently, she was hospitalized for a problem with internal bleeding. Tests showed that the problem was in the part of the GI tract that had been sectioned off for the surgery, and it was something they couldn't get at to treat. So they sent her home - we all thought they'd sent her home to die. Fortunately, it healed on its own.

I guess what I'm trying to say here is:

1. Weight loss surgery by itself is not guaranteed to help you lose the weight and keep it off. You still need to exercise.

2. Before proceeding with the surgery, do research into the long-term health risks that the surgery may cause. If you have the surgery, it may prevent doctors from treating future health conditions. Make sure you understand what those risks are.

-- posted by ghaziya

Permalink Print Discussion Email Discussion Join the latest discussions