Choosing Bariatric Surgery

There are many types of bariatric surgery so it is important to research which one is right for you. Since the surgery is invasive, it should be consi

There are many types of bariatric surgery so it is important to research which one is right for you. Since the surgery is invasive, it should be considered only after extensive exercise and a revamped diet. Even then, this surgery may not be for you. In this video, Dr. Roshini Raj discusses who is eligible for this surgery and who should consider a different treatment approach.

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This video features Roshini Raj, MD. Dr. Raj is a gastroenterologist and associate professor of medicine at NYU School of Medicine, and an attending physician at NYU Langone Medical Center.

Duration: 4:11. Last Updated On: Nov. 8, 2017, 6:14 p.m.

Reviewed by: Suzanne Friedman, MD, Preeti Parikh, MD . Review date: June 1, 2017

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00:06 >> There are a lot of different types of bariatric surgery, so
00:09 you're probably wondering if it's right for you.
00:12 Here's Dr. Raj again to explain who the right candidate is and the benefits and
00:17 risks involved.
00:19 Bariatric surgery should be something you consider after you've tried to
00:23 lose weight through healthy diet and exercise for an extended period of time.
00:28 Even then, this type of surgery isn't for everyone.
00:31 I'm gonna walk you through a list of criteria.
00:34 You may wanna pause as we go through this list to write these down.
00:39 First, your body mass index or BMI is 40 or higher.
00:44 BMI is a number that represents your body fat content.
00:48 You can determine your BMI by knowing your height and weight, and using a BMI chart.
00:54 Second, you're at least 100 pounds overweight if you're a man, and
00:57 80 pounds overweight if you're a woman.
01:00 Third, you have other obesity related medical problems such as
01:04 high blood pressure, heart disease, sleep apnea, and diabetes.
01:09 Next, your obesity causes physical problems that interfere with
01:13 daily life like your job, your family, or simply walking from place to place.
01:19 Finally, you're determined to sustain your weight loss and
01:22 improve your health through diet and exercise.
01:25 You're aware of potential side effects, complications, and
01:28 lifestyle changes, and you're committed to long term partnership with your
01:32 doctor to keep your health on track.
01:35 Everybody is different, and you should consult your doctor to determine if
01:39 bariatric surgery is the best course of action for you.
01:42 Not everyone who qualifies for the surgery will fulfill all of these criteria.
01:47 If you and your doctor decide this type of surgery is right for
01:50 you, you'll wanna know the benefits and risks involved.
01:55 With the restrictive surgeries like banding, you may lose up to 60% of
01:59 your excess weight over the course of two to three years.
02:02 About 80% of patients experience some degree of weight loss.
02:07 With gastric bypass, the majority of the weight loss, as much as 70%,
02:11 will occur in the first one to two years.
02:14 Both of these surgeries will likely result in improvements in medical problems like
02:18 cholesterol levels, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, and type II diabetes.
02:24 Overall, gastric bypass surgery leads to more weight loss than
02:27 restrictive surgeries, but can be more invasive and cannot be reversed.
02:32 Remember, it isn't uncommon for people who've had these surgeries to
02:36 see weight loss plateau and even gain some weight back after a few years.
02:41 That's why a drastically different lifestyle, especially your diet,
02:45 is such a critical part of the treatment.
02:47 It's not a one time fix.
02:50 These surgeries are serious and do come with risk.
02:54 There are also potentially serious side effects and
02:57 complications that you could experience as a result of these procedures.
03:01 You may also need to have follow-up operations to correct any complications or
03:05 abdominal hernias while you're losing weight,
03:09 you're advised not to become pregnant.
03:11 For patients who undergo restrictive surgeries,
03:14 there is also the risk of band erosion, or
03:16 the breakdown of the staple line, which will then need to be surgically corrected.
03:22 In addition, there is a small chance of death with any bariatric procedure.
03:27 After the surgery is performed, your daily lifestyle will have changed, and
03:31 you'll need to work with your doctor.
03:33 He or she can help you stay on track with your recovery and weight loss.
03:38 >> Obesity is an epidemic.
03:40 And for the right candidates, bariatric surgery can help you lose the weight,
03:45 regain your health, and lead a happier and fuller life.
03:49 With the help of your doctor and informed specialists, you can determine if
03:53 this approach is right for you and take steps toward better health.
03:58 Thanks for being a part of HealthiNation.
04:00 Be sure to watch other segments and get talking about your health.
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