Being significantly overweight or obese can lead to a number of health problems. Weight loss surgery can help patients who are otherwise unable to lose weight.
Evaluation
Typically, patients will only receive weight loss surgery if their body mass index, also known as their BMI, is unusually high. A BMI above 40 is usually an indication for weight loss surgery, though patients with BMIs lower than 40 and other health problems may also need weight loss surgery, the website UpToDate.com explains.
Preparation
Before patients can receive bariatric surgery, they will need full physical and psychological exams to ensure that they are healthy enough for the surgical procedure and are psychologically ready to make lifestyle changes that ensure that the procedure will be a success, the Mayo Clinic explains.
Post-Surgery
After the surgery, patients still need to follow a strict diet and nutritional plan, the website AboutWeightLossSurgery.com explains. Patients will need to visit with a nutritionist to avoid malnutrition and dangerous side effects that can occur from not following a proper diet. Poor eating habits can also lead to the patient not losing very much weight.
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