Preparing for Weight Loss Surgery

People who consider weight loss surgery are often at the end of their ropes. Traditional methods of diet and exercise have had no effect, and this procedure is a last resort. But it’s a big leap to go from thinking about weight loss surgery to getting on the operating table.

People need to be aware, in great detail, of the risks and benefits of weight loss surgery. After all, any operation carries some risk, and can cause a great deal of anxiety.

So prepare carefully if you are considering weight loss surgery. You should be physically and mentally ready. Most of all, you should be committed to changing your lifestyle and keeping the weight off to ensure a healthier life.

Here are a few questions to ask yourself:

Have you truly tried to lose weight through diet and exercise?
Will your insurance cover weight loss surgery?
Are you prepared for the psychological exam many surgeons require?
Have you looked into support groups to help you adjust after weight loss surgery?

Don’t rush into weight loss surgery. Typically, two years pass from the time a person first thinks about having weight loss surgery to the time they make the commitment to have it done. Talk to family and friends, talk to the surgeon and people at the hospital. Approach this major decision thoughtfully.

First Steps Toward Weight Loss Surgery

More than 60 million obese people are living in the U.S., according to the American Obesity Association (AOA), and about 9 million are severely obese. Weight loss surgery, also called bariatric surgery, can be successful when diet and exercise have failed, and a person's health is on the line. Overweight is the second leading cause of preventable death in the U.S., after smoking, according to the AOA.