Here at Hartford HealthCare, we are taking a new approach to bariatric, or weight loss, surgery. In the past, we would often look at any diet, exercise program, or weight loss surgery procedure in terms of how much weight we could expect a patient to lose.
In fact, most overweight or obese Americans about to start a new diet, exercise program, or have weight loss surgery set unrealistic “weight loss” goals for themselves, leading to disappointment and a sense of failure.
That’s part of the reason our team of surgeons and weight loss experts is now focused on asking not how much can you lose, but instead, what will you gain?
How do I know if weight loss surgery is for me?
Most people feel that weight loss surgery is for someone who is hundreds of pounds overweight, someone who can’t walk or someone who is in extremely poor health. That couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, our goal is to make sure that our patients don’t ever get to that point in the first place.
From a purely weight standpoint, women about 60 pounds or more overweight and men about 70 pounds or more overweight might be candidates for weight loss surgery. A better measure that takes into account both height and weight is Body Mass Index, or BMI. A BMI of greater than 35 kg/m2 with other health problems, or a BMI of 40 kg/m2 or more with or without medical problems are considered candidates for weight loss surgery by most insurance companies, although some offer coverage for BMI greater than 30 with certain health problems. You can easily calculate your BMI by typing the word “BMI” online in a google search box or by clicking here.
We look at weight loss surgery to serve two purposes:
- Treating obesity-related health problems.
- Preventing these health problems from ever happening in the future.
In my experience, many people don’t consider weight loss surgery early enough. Patients who are overweight need to consider both their personal health issues as well as their family history.
For example, an overweight person with obese parents with diabetes, high blood pressure and a history of heart disease should be more aggressive at treating their weight at an earlier stage in their life. We offer weight loss surgery because the risk of surgery is substantially lower than the risk of dying prematurely from obesity related diseases. Unfortunately, some patients wait too long before considering weight loss surgery and only consider it as an option once they have been diagnosed with possibly irreversible health conditions.
What can I gain from weight loss surgery?
From a purely medical standpoint, weight loss surgery helps to lower the risk of dying of stroke, heart attack, lung disease, blood clots and certain cancers. Arthritis, joint and back pain are all lessened with the reduced weight and impact on the joints, muscles and back. Weight loss also helps to control or cure many obesity-related health problems like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, infertility, breathing problems and sleep apnea.
More important, you will likely live longer. Most patients also experience a higher quality of life. The improvement in mobility is perhaps the most important gain from weight loss surgery. As a result, it is easier to walk, exercise and do just about everything with less effort.
Improvements in health and mobility often occur early on after weight loss surgery, sometimes in the early phases of weight loss. The overall sense of well-being produced by these gains leads to an improved outlook on life. After weight loss surgery, many patients also feel a sense of accomplishment, a renewed energy and gain confidence in just about everything they do. (Click here to read about a patient who recognized the health risks of obesity and chose weight loss surgery.)
But sometimes it’s the little gains that have the biggest impact on our patients:
- A trip to celebrate a special occasion with family or friends.
- Picking out a new wardrobe
- Starting a garden.
- Starting a family.
- Building something with a grandchild.
- Getting outside to do more adventurous activities like skiing, sailing, or hiking.
- Riding a bike to an area that can’t be accessed by car.
- Participating in sports with your kids, not just watching them play.
So I leave you with one final question: What are you going to gain?
Be well, stay fit, and keep moving!
Are You A Candidate For Weight Loss Surgery?
If you . . .
- Have a Body mass index 40 or greater.
- Have a Body mass index 35 or greater with a major health issue such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or sleep apnea.
- Are more than 40-60 pounds overweight.
- Are not able to walk or easily perform everyday activities as a result of your weight.
- Are worried about a family history of obesity.
. . . You might be a candidate for weight loss surgery. Consider talking to your health care provider or a weight loss surgeon about your options to lose weight and see what you can gain from a healthier life.
Dr. Darren S. Tishler is director of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery at Hartford HealthCare.
Learn more about Hartford HealthCare’s weight loss services at whatwillyougain.org.