Medical Weight Loss?

Is medical weight loss the right choice? Certain patients, although they meet the weight guidelines, may not be suitable candidates for successful weight loss surgery.

Weight loss surgery may be right for you if:

• Are you are at least 50 pounds overweight?
• Is your BMI (body mass index) 35 or greater?
• Do you have co-morbidities such as hypertension, diabetes, or sleep apnea?
• Have you tried, unsuccessfully, to lose weight utilizing other diets and methods?
• Are you willing and motivated to follow the prescribed diet and exercise regimen?

When is Weight Loss Surgery Not Recommended:

• Patients suffering from uncontrolled, severe psychiatric illnesses.
• Anyone addicted to drugs or alcohol.
• Medical conditions that make surgery unadvisable.
• Cancer patients who are not in remission.
• Most patients over 65, although this is not an automatic disqualification.
• Patients whose expectations are unrealistic. If you and your spouse are having problems and you think this surgery will make them love you more, this is probably not for you. Or if you think you can have this surgery without changing your attitude towards food and restricting your food intake, this surgery is not for you.
• Women who plan to become pregnant within one year.