Bariatric Surgery

Why it's done

Bariatric surgery is done to help you lose excess weight and reduce your risk of potentially life-threatening weight-related health problems, including:

• Heart disease and stroke

• High blood pressure

• Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)

• Sleep apnea

• Type 2 diabetes

Bariatric surgery is typically done only after you've tried to lose weight by improving your diet and exercise habits. (Source: Mayo Clinic).

What is Bariatric Surgery & what are its benefits?

Who it's for

In general, bariatric surgery could be an option for you if:

• Your body mass index (BMI) is 40 or higher (extreme obesity).

• Your BMI is 35 to 39.9 (obesity), and you have a serious weight-related health problem, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or severe sleep apnea. In some cases, you may qualify for certain types of weight-loss surgery if your BMI is 30 to 34 and you have serious weight-related health problems.

Bariatric surgery isn't for everyone who is severely overweight. You may need to meet certain medical guidelines to qualify for weight-loss surgery. You likely will have an extensive screening process to see if you qualify. You must also be willing to make permanent changes to lead a healthier lifestyle.

Types of Bariatric Surgery

1. Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass.

2. Sleeve gastrectomy.

3. Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch.

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