What can disqualify you from bariatric surgery?
When it comes to our health, the most important thing that we should consider is our weight. A healthy weight allows you to reach a level of fitness that supports your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It also helps you reduce the risk of various health conditions related to obesity. However, some people gain excess weight and become obese or fat; the reasons are many. Don’t worry, there are many weight procedures out there to help obese people lose excess weight.
Bariatric surgery has emerged as one of the most effective weight loss procedures in recent decades. As it is a major surgical procedure, many people have questions, especially about their eligibility for the surgery.
To know whether you are eligible for bariatric surgery or not, you should consult an expert bariatric surgeon. They may ask questions about your medical history and suggest certain procedures to make sure you are a good candidate for the procedure.
Understanding the eligibility criteria for bariatric surgery
Before knowing the particular elements that may prevent you from undergoing bariatric surgery, it’s crucial to understand the importance of the eligibility criteria. It provides a clear picture to show that bariatric surgery is safe for you.
The purpose of establishing eligibility criteria is:
- Prioritize your health and safety
- Improve surgical outcomes
- Improve long-term results
- To provide customized medical care
- Reduce the risk factors
Here are factors which may prevent you from undergoing bariatric surgery
To check eligibility, a bariatric surgeon would consider many factors, from your medical history and mental health status to your willingness to change your lifestyle.
BMI (Body mass index) qualifications
BMI is the universal criteria, which is the first step in determining eligibility for any weight loss surgery. BMI is calculated based on the weight and height of a person. Generally, BMI is the factor considered to say whether or not a person is qualified for bariatric surgery.
People whose body mass index (BMI) is ≥ 40, which means severe obesity, are eligible for this weight loss procedure. In some exceptional cases, even if the BMI is between 35 to 39.9, the patient may still be eligible for bariatric surgery if they have any obesity-related medical conditions such as type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, hypertension, heart disease, etc.
Medical History
If the patient’s BMI is 40 or above and he has other complicated health problems, then Bariatric surgery might not be recommended. Bariatric surgery is a major surgery, so being healthy is crucial to gaining maximum benefits from surgery. An obese person with uncontrolled diabetes, blood clotting disorders, severe heart problems, or healing problems might have complications from weight loss surgeries.
Those with the following health conditions may also be at high risk of surgery.
- Severe respiratory problems
- Autoimmune disorders
- Active cancer treatments
- Uncontrolled high blood pressure
Fortunately, most of these problems can be addressed and treated, and you may be able to proceed safely with bariatric surgery. The surgeon should believe that you are eligible for the procedure after considering your overall health, or else you may not be able to get bariatric surgery.
The eligibility factors might be different at each centre, where some surgeons or hospitals have their own BMI cutoff. Some centres limit the surgery to those who have a high BMI (around 65).
Age
Almost every surgeon and hospital sets age limits that disqualify someone from undergoing bariatric surgery. Under the age people (less than 16 years old) and older people (> 75 years old) may be limited to having bariatric surgery.
Age brings certain risks, such as healing issues, problems with mobility, or previous surgical results, especially in older people.
Lifestyle choices that prevent you from getting bariatric surgery
If you have a smoking habit, then you may not be eligible for the procedure because smoking can result in complications like tissue leaks, infections, ulcers, and respiratory complications. Active drug and alcohol abuse also makes you unfit for bariatric surgery. So doctors may recommend you quit smoking and drinking so that you might become eligible for the surgery.
Psychological health
Most bariatric surgeons consider a person’s psychological history as one of their eligibility criteria. Patients should handle the emotional changes after surgery. If you have a negative perception of yourself or if you are not willing to follow rules, which are the key points in procedure success, doctors may disqualify you from undergoing weight loss surgery.
A psychological evaluation is a common factor in major surgery considerations. You must demonstrate emotional resilience and the ability to deal with any obstacles that may come up as a result of this long process.
The first step to successful bariatric surgery is choosing an expert surgeon. You may meet a few bariatric surgeons, pay attention to everything and enquire about the doctors, staff, success rate of procedure, etc. This is because you may need to work with them for a few months after surgery. Having an experienced and efficient bariatric team in your weight loss journey can help you in several ways.
Dr. Venugopal Pareek, one of the best bariatric surgeons in Hyderabad with more than 18 years of experience, has a team of experts who educate and support you through your entire weight loss journey. Having bariatric surgery is a life-changing decision for your well-being. Don’t hesitate to consult us, and schedule an appointment if you are looking for the best weight loss solutions in Hyderabad.
