Obesity Surgery Candidacy Information for Ocean Springs, Biloxi, and Gulfport
If you have been struggling to lose a significant amount of weight and been unsuccessful time and time again, you may be considering weight loss surgery. At South Mississippi Surgical Weight Loss, we help people overcome weight problems that have plagued them throughout their lives. However, the first thing we must stress to potential obesity surgery patients at our Ocean Springs office in the Biloxi / Gulfport and Mississippi Gulf Coast region is that this approach is not the answer for everyone. There are a number of factors that affect whether a person is a candidate for surgical weight loss, and only a doctor can determine which surgery, if any, is right for you.
Medical Requirements
The National Institutes for Health recommends that any candidate for surgical weight loss either have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more or have a BMI above 35 in combination with a serious weight-related health condition. Medical problems that are commonly associated with excess weight include type 2 diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure), sleep apnea, and heart disease. However, certain other types of medical conditions, such as ulcers or Crohn’s disease, can make obesity surgery too risky. Our surgeons will only perform weight loss surgery when the potential benefits of the procedure outweigh the risks.
There are also certain requirements regarding the nature of the patient’s obesity. A candidate for obesity surgery at our Ocean Springs practice near Biloxi and Gulfport in the Mississippi Gulf Coast area must have been significantly overweight for at least five years and have made genuine attempts to lose the weight through non-surgical means with only minimal or short-term success. In addition, the patient’s obesity must not be the result of an endocrine disorder or other medical problem.
Women who are considering gastric bypass surgery, LAP-BAND® System surgery, or the REALIZE™ Personal Banding Solution must not be pregnant and must be willing to postpone any future pregnancy for at least two years after the procedure. While a healthy pregnancy is possible after obesity surgery, it is imperative that the body be given time to adjust and stabilize before becoming pregnant.
We invite you to fill out a medical history form and a medical record release form. This information will help our physician to determine whether you are a candidate for bariatric surgery.
Psychological Requirements
In addition to medical screenings, each potential patient must undergo a psychological evaluation, as recommended by the American Society for Bariatric Surgery. This step is important because each patient’s success relies on the ability to understand the surgery, commit to significant lifestyle changes, and cope with the effects of the procedure. Any unforeseen problems with a patient’s mental or emotional health can have serious repercussions for his or her recovery and general well-being. Since patient safety is our highest priority, we make it our mission to ensure that each person undergoing obesity surgery is fully equipped to make the necessary adjustments.
Lifestyle Requirements
It is absolutely vital for each patient to understand fully that, while obesity surgery can have dramatic results, it is not an easy way out. All patients must commit to doing their part and making the necessary changes in habit and lifestyle in order to be considered candidates.
First and foremost, a weight loss surgery candidate must not smoke. Tobacco has a number of adverse effects on the body and smoking will inhibit the recovery process and increase the chances of serious complication. If you are a smoker, you will be asked to quit for a period of time before you can undergo surgery, and you must agree not to start again once the surgery is complete. Likewise, people who use recreational drugs or alcohol in excess should not be considered for bariatric surgery.
Finally, patients will be required to lose a certain amount of weight before undergoing obesity surgery. This helps to reduce the risk of complications during surgery and demonstrates that you have the motivation and willingness to make the dietary and lifestyle changes that will be imperative after the procedure is complete.
Financial Considerations
The final factor that must be taken into account is the patient’s ability to cover the costs of the surgery. Some insurance policies support bariatric surgery, while most do not. We must be sure that each patient has the means to afford whatever costs he or she will be responsible for covering.
Contact Our Office
If you believe that you may be a candidate for and would like to learn more about obesity surgery, please contact our Ocean Springs office serving Biloxi, Gulfport, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
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To find out whether you are a candidate for obesity surgery, please contact our Ocean Springs office, serving Biloxi, Gulfport, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast.