Weight loss can be a slow process. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends losing weight at a rate of only one-half to two pounds per week through diet and exercise, which makes your 100-pound weight loss goal nearly a year off. If a year doesn't coincide with your definition of fast, weight loss surgery can deliver fast, doctor-supervised results and may even reduce symptoms of heart disease and diabetes, according to MayoClinic.com. If losing weight now is a huge priority, especially because of underlying medical conditions, or if attempts at losing the weight in the past have failed, weight loss surgery can be a viable option.
Step 1
Talk to your doctor to determine if you're a good candidate for weight loss surgery. Your doctor will evaluate your health, your weight and other factors that might determine the surgery's success, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Ask yourself if you're willing to make such a radical life change, if you're dedicated to your follow-up care and new way of eating. Ask yourself if there are any other options for weight loss success and if losing weight quickly is more important than losing it in a slower, less drastic way.
Step 2
Attend an informational seminar on weight loss surgery at your local hospital or bariatric weight loss treatment center. Ask questions about the procedure's preparation, risks, side effects, hospital stay, follow-up and expected results.
Step 3
Write or call your insurance company to begin the pre-qualifying process and to determine your insurance company's requirements. To receive coverage, you may have to undergo a psychological evaluation and demonstrate a history of weight-related medical problems and failed attempts to lose weight.
Step 4
Talk to a dietitian about the way you'll have to eat after the surgery. Meet with your surgeon for pre-surgery lab work and physical evaluation. Meet with a therapist if you have a history of emotional eating or using food to cope with emotions. Work with your doctor to develop a postsurgery success plan that involves your entire health care team.
Step 5
Schedule your surgery after you've completed all the insurance requirements set forth by your provider and all the pre-surgery requirements set forth by your surgeon.
Step 6
Follow your post-op diet to the letter. If you don't, you could damage your healing stomach pouch and experience life-threatening side effects, like infection, bleeding or dehydration according to MayoClinic.com. Drink only lukewarm broth the first few days after surgery. After that, transition to pureed foods, soft foods, then solid foods by spending a few weeks eating each type of food.
Tips and Warnings
- Most patients lose more than half of their excess body weight in the first year according to MayoClinic.com. If you're morbidly obese, this number can be much higher than 100 pounds. In fact, severely obese patients often lose their first 100 pounds in the first three months or less.
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