Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment in the fight against morbid obesity. However, not everyone can have this surgery. There are definite rules set by the World Health Organization in this regard. As we mentioned before, we use a unit of measure called body mass index (BMI) when defining and classifying obesity.
BMI is the most important parameter that determines whether you are a candidate for obesity surgery.
You can also calculate your BMI simply. If you divide your weight in meters by the square of your height (eg 130 kilos/1.72 x 1.72=44), the result is your body mass index. The prerequisites sought in a candidate for surgery are as follows:
- The person who is considering surgery should first have tried the diet before. Because the chance of losing weight permanently with diets is 3%. A person who has never tried a diet should take this chance.
- If your BMI is over 40, you are definitely a candidate for surgery.
- If your BMI is in the range of 35-40 and you have one of the problems caused by obesity such as insulin resistance, fatty liver, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, you are still a candidate for surgery.
- If your BMI is in the 30-35 range, then you are in the so-called gray area. The updated guidelines say that if they have the problems caused by obesity, these people can also have surgery.
Let's say you are a candidate for surgery. One of the important points is that you want this surgery and be ready for it.. Because it's not just about surgery. The surgery is just the beginning of the road that will take you to the goal. After having obesity surgery, you need to be willing and ready to change your lifestyle during the weight loss process. After 1 year, you will lose your weight completely and you will easily reach the targeted peak thanks to this surgery. However, staying at that top is still up to you. During the weight loss process, you should learn to eat right with the support of your team and establish a certain order in your life. In addition, you will be able to do the sport, which was torture for you when you were fat, in a much more comfortable way after you lose those weights. After obesity surgery, nearly 20% of patients can regain weight in the long term (5 years after surgery).
The person who will have the surgery should know and understand the risks and possible side effects of the surgery. In experienced hands, the risk of obesity surgery is as much as gallbladder surgery, that is, it is very, very low.
The person to be operated should not have any heart, lung or other serious illness that prevents him from receiving general anesthesia. Even if you do not have such a known ailment, do not worry, you will already undergo a detailed examination (check-up) in the pre-operative period.
Although there is no age limit for these surgeries, it is a desired feature to have completed adolescence in young people . If the person does not have a very serious illness, these surgeries can be performed until the age of 65 as the upper limit .
Who Should Not Have This Surgery
- Those with alcohol and substance abuse
- Those with serious psychiatric illness that cannot be controlled with medication, such as schizophrenia
- Those who have never tried a diet in their life
- Those who are not willing and ready for the surgery and the postoperative period (lifestyle change and exercise)
