What is bariatric surgery?
“Bariatric” simply means “weight loss,” but if you think surgery is a simple way to lose weight, think again. It’s serious business.
- Bariatric surgery doesn’t take off weight; it makes losing weight easier.
- After surgery, you will have to follow a strict diet and exercise routine to lose weight and keep it off.
Bariatric surgery isn’t a cure. It is a step toward health, success and a “new you.”
That’s why bariatric surgery is a step that can you take. It can help you diet and exercise successfully.
Is surgery right for you?
If diets and exercise have not worked for you, you may have lost self-confidence in your ability to change. That’s especially true if your weight has led to health problems – a condition doctors call clinically severe or morbid obesity.
Doctors use two (2) tools, along with their clinical judgment, to decide if someone is obese: the Ideal Body Weight Chart (IBWC) and the Body Mass Index (BMI).
These tools aren’t perfect, but at least they give doctors a standard measure.
Use these tools to see if you can have surgery.
If you can answer “Yes” to any of the following questions, you should talk with your doctor about whether bariatric surgery could help you.
- Do you weigh more than 100 lbs. over the Ideal Body Weight listed on the IBWC for your height?
- Do you have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or higher?
- Do you have a BMI of 35 or higher and a serious health condition related to your weight?
- Have you failed to lose weight even when a doctor supervised the diet?
Remember: Your doctor’s clinical judgment is also important. Your weight may put you at risk for a serious health problem, or it may make surgery of any kind very risky. Do your research about bariatric surgery and talk with your doctor. Dr. Johnell will all be happy to answer your questions when you meet with him.
