Who Qualifies For Gastric Bypass?

Who qualifies for bariatric surgery? This is an important question, one which is usually foremost on the minds of potential patients.

If you are frustrated with the extra pounds that you simply can’t get rid of, no matter how hard you try, weight loss surgery might be the answer for you. It can be disheartening to try dieting and exercise and not see the results you are hoping for.

Thankfully, gastric bypass surgery can be successful in long-term weight loss.

But how do you know if you qualify? Here are some things to consider.

The Basics

First, it is important to understand the basics of gastric bypass surgery. Gastric bypass surgery is a metabolic and weight loss procedure. It works by changing your digestive system so that you eat less food and absorb fewer calories. Unlike other weight loss surgery (Gastric Sleeve) there is nothing removed during this surgery.

To perform a Gastric Bypass (also referred to as Roux en Y Gastric Bypass) the surgical team will modify your stomach as well as a portion of your small intestine. During this procedure, the surgeon creates a stomach pouch, about the size of an egg, from your original stomach. This restricts the amount of food your stomach can hold.

He will then bypass the portion of your small intestine that is primarily responsible for the absorption of fats, lipids, and calories (things that make us gain and keep unwanted weight). This will in turn lead to increased weight loss as well as the ability to keep weight off long-term in conjunction with the recommended dietary and lifestyle changes.

The surgically created pouch is connected to the lower portion of the small intestine where normal absorption and breakdown of necessary vitamins and minerals takes place. The remaining anatomy stays the same and the portion of the stomach that is left behind continues to secrete stomach acids as well as hormones, vitamins, and minerals. The only difference is, no food is able to enter that portion of the stomach.

Next, there are a few guidelines to keep in mind when trying to determine if you are a candidate for gastric bypass.

BMI > 40

BMI > 35 and at least one or more obesity-related comorbidities such as Type II Diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure), sleep apnea, non-alcoholic fatty liver, disease, osteoarthritis, degenerative joint disease, high cholesterol, heart disease, reflux disease; just to name a few.

Inability to achieve a healthy weight loss sustained for a period of time with prior weight loss effort (diet, exercise, medications).

Not sure if you are a candidate for gastric bypass? Or maybe you are feeling a little bit nervous about deciding to undergo weight loss surgery.

Our team of experienced surgeons and staff at Olde Del Mar can make the ultimate determination about your qualifications for gastric bypass.

We will look closely at your medical history and any other factors that could disqualify you from surgery.

If we determine that you are a candidate for bariatric surgery, talk you through the next steps so you can decide if you want to proceed.

Contact us today for a consultation! We are here for you. Let us know how we can help assist you on the path to your weight-loss goals.

We’re also ready to discuss any obesity-related conditions you may be concerned about (sleep apnea, heart disease, mental health issues, fatty liver disease, etc.).

And whether or not you qualify for bariatric surgery, we can discuss the best course of action for you.

Finally, we’re happy to talk about your financing options, insurance coverage from your insurance company, general surgery or health care, and more.

We look forward to helping you through your weight loss journey.