If you have been looking at ways to manage your weight, you may have come across the potential of surgical options that promise either some direct weight loss or aid in helping you make lifestyle changes. While they can certainly be effective, these options should be seriously considered, like any surgery. Here, we’re going to look at a few thoughts you should go through before making a decision.
Ask yourself if you need it
First of all, it’s important to know that weight loss surgery is typically recommended for severely overweight people. Generally, this is based on your BMI or body mass index. Weigh yourself, ensure you know your height, and use a BMI calculator to see what yours is. Surgery is usually considered an option for people who have a BMI of 40 or more. People with a slightly lower BMI can be considered if they have medical conditions linked to obesity, as well. BMI calculators are being relied on as a sign of health a little less as time goes on, since they are somewhat imprecise measures of things like fat distribution, but they’re a good guideline for this decision.
Other methods aren’t working
Another recommendation that most weight loss surgeons will have is that you consider what other treatments and options you might have as well. In some cases, if your weight poses a health risk, you might not have to wait as long, but your doctor might ask you to try things like weight loss programs or even weight loss medication before you undergo surgery. However, surgery can be effective for those who don’t find other methods effective.
Get informed and prepared
Of course, you should take your time before you go under the knife. First of all, take the time to find a reputable and well-reviewed provider of weight loss surgery near you. Arrange a consultation to talk about your aims as well as your general health, to make sure that there are no health complications that might get in the way of your surgery. Get to know the process and what the actual treatment is designed to do, based on their recommendations. For instance, some treatments involve directly taking fat and weight away from the body, while others might involve restricting the body’s ability to hold food, instead, to better manage your appetite.
Manage your expectations
Weight loss treatments can be life-changing for many people who go through them, but it’s important to ensure that your expectations are in line with what your surgeon suggests. You should also listen closely to any after-care tips that they offer, as they can help you ensure the best results from the surgery in the long run. Further lifestyle changes down the road are likely to help you maintain the changes made as a result of the surgery, too.
If you do decide to go ahead with weight loss surgery, make sure that you work with your doctors, both your primary care doctor and the one providing the surgery, to follow their advice and do what aftercare you should.
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