Posted - July 21, 2022

5 Things You Need to Know When Considering Bariatric Surgery

Weight loss surgery isn't for everyone. And even if you qualify, you need to know what to expect.

For most people, the idea of any kind of surgery can be a scary proposition. But if you’ve struggled with obesity, surgery may offer the best way for you to gain control over your life and start living the healthy one you were meant to live.

Weight loss surgery—also called bariatric surgery—is a major decision, which is why it’s so important to understand the risks and benefits so you can make an informed decision about whether or not the procedure is right for you.

Check out these 5 things we share with every patient who comes to us looking to have surgery:

  1. Not everyone qualifies for bariatric surgery. To be considered for weight loss surgery, a patient must have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher, or a BMI of 35 with a comorbidity (a related health condition such as high blood pressure, diabetes or sleep apnea). Surgical procedures include gastric bypass, gastric sleeve or duodenal switch. 
  2. Weight loss is only the beginning. Bariatric surgery has been shown to improve or resolve many obesity-related conditions including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Weight loss is important but improving or resolving chronic medical conditions is often the most impactful result of bariatric surgery. Additionally, you’ll gain confidence to do physical activities or wear clothes you previously were afraid or embarrassed to try. Our greatest joy is seeing patients re-engage with life and start living the life they were meant for!
  3. The more you know, the less fear you’ll have. Fear of the unknown. It’s the biggest reason why patients are reluctant to take the next step. That’s why at Weight Loss Specialists of North Texas, we spend as much time as it takes to answer ALL your questions. Plus, we include pre-operative and post-operative counseling to make sure you have a full understanding of not only the procedure, but the steps you’ll need to take to ensure long-term success! We also recommend to our patients that they learn as much as they can by talking to people who’ve undergone surgery.
  4. Your relationship with food will change forever. Bariatric surgery will change the way your body processes food. It’s this change that makes the surgery so effective; however, patients need to understand that they won’t be going back to their normal eating routine. To help patients, we make sure they spend significant time meeting with our dietitian who will counsel them on everything they need to know.
  5. Support is key. It’s no secret that the most successful bariatric patients have support systems to help them stay on track. At Weight Loss Specialists of North Texas, we offer guidance from our team of specialists for the rest of your life. This isn’t just a surgery where we fix your shoulder or your knee and send you on your way. The first few months after surgery are the most important, but that doesn’t mean you won’t need support further down the road. How you feel one year after surgery could be completely different than how you feel five or 10 years after surgery. You should look for a program that will offer life-long support services.

Let Us Be Your Weight-Loss Partner

If you’ve experienced less than ideal weight loss or have gained back weight after reaching your initial goal, don’t despair. One setback doesn’t equal failure. Our specialty is addressing concerns like yours. When you’re ready to take back your life and finally lose weight, feel good and get healthy, let us partner with you.

Bariatric surgery has helped people just like you lose weight so they can get on with living the life they’ve always dreamed of. Schedule a no-risk, no-obligation consultation online or call our office and let someone on our team answer any questions you may have. Your goals mean everything to us!