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Weight loss surgery is an important and life-changing decision. The following questions are available to help you make an informed and educated decision.
- If you have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of greater than 40 kg/m2 (check your BMI here) or be about 100 lbs. or more overweight.
- You have a Body Mass Index (BMI) between 35 and 40 kg/m2 with significant related illness or conditions made worse by obesity. These secondary conditions are called comorbidities.
- You have failed other diet attempts or medically managed weight-loss programs.
- Your obesity is related to an untreated metabolic or endocrine disorder.
- You have an untreated history of substance abuse or untreated major psychiatric disease.
- You have health conditions that are severe enough that surgery would be dangerous.
- You want to become pregnant within the next 18 months.
- You are 65 years of age or older.
- There are many variations of weight loss surgery. We offer three different procedures — Gastric Bypass or Roux-en-Y, Sleeve Gastrectomy, Lap Band.
- Each surgery procedure is different and there are pros and cons to each one. Please refer to the following descriptions of each surgery for more information.
- Adjustable
- Least invasive option
- Reversible (weight loss would also be reversed)
- Same-day surgery
- Slower weight loss
- Frequent follow up needed
- 10% risk of band dysfunction
- Band complications (slips, erosion, infections, etc.)
- Rapid weight loss
- Most done via laprascope
- Less follow up than band
- No foreign body
- Rerouting bowel is required by cutting and stapling
- More operative complications than band
- Not adjustable
- Technically more complex to perform
- Difficult to reverse
- No intestinal rerouting
- Relatively new procedure
- May have staple line leaks or other immediate complications
- No dumping syndrome Not adjustable /permanent change
- Not reversible
The best way to determine which weight-loss surgery is best for you is to speak with one of our surgeons; however, ultimately the decision is your choice. The following criteria may also assist you when making your choice:
- Your personal and health goals
- The cause of your obesity
- A sound understanding of why you overeat
- Your body type
- Your risk tolerance
- Your ability to tolerate and accept consequences or side effects
- Other medical conditions you have