Gastric Bypass Surgery Requirements
At Oasis of Hope, our weight loss surgery team wants to ensure that each patient gets the right treatment for their needs. Dr. Francisco Gonzalez carefully screens each patient to make sure they are getting the bariatric proceed that is best suited to their needs.
Many people come to our Tijuana, Mexico weight loss surgery center asking about gastric bypass. Let’s go over a few of the key requirements for gastric bypass surgery. Let’s first discuss why there are requirements for surgery in the first place.
Why Surgical Requirements Matter
The surgical requirements for different bariatric surgery procedures help in a number of ways. Let’s note two of the most important ones.
First of all, it ensures that only good candidates for a specific type of surgery undergo that procedure. The amount of weight loss can vary from surgery to surgery, meaning that people who experience certain degrees of obesity are better suited to certain surgeries.
Second, the surgical requirements help ensure that people who are undergoing bariatric surgery need the procedure for pressing health concerns. The gastric bypass shouldn’t be performed if you are able to lose weight on your own, and should only be performed on people struggling with obesity.
The BMI for Gastric Bypass Surgery
To qualify for gastric bypass surgery, a patient must have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or greater; typically a BMI of 50 is common among gastric bypass surgery. With such a high BMI, patients run the risk of numerous health problems.
If a patient has a BMI or 35 or greater and there are co-morbidities present, they will qualify for gastric bypass surgery.
The Presence of Co-Morbidities
A co-morbidity refers to medical issues that are associated with obesity. Common co-morbidities associated with obesity include:
- Type 2 diabetes
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
- Sleep apnea
- Osteoarthritis
Our Tijuana weight loss surgery center always notes these health issues for patients with obesity since they can contribute to premature death and a lower quality of life.
Difficulty Losing Weight Through Diet and Exercise
Gastric bypass surgery shouldn’t be a first report for losing weight. Patients should only turn to bariatric procedures if they have been unable to lose weight through natural means. Its always best to work on your eating habits and activity level first before seeking out surgery.
General Health and Wellness
Good candidates for gastric bypass should not be pregnant and in good overall health to tolerate an invasive surgical procedure. They should not suffer from any sort of medical conditions that would make a bariatric surgery procedure a risk to general wellness.
People who are in poor health may not be able to undergo a gastric bypass given the risk of complications during and after the surgery.
Is Gastric Bypass Surgery Right for Me?
The best way to find out if gastric bypass is right for you is to visit our Tijuana practice for a consultation. We can go over your surgical options in more detail and let you know what would be most ideal in your situation.
Learn More About Weight Loss Surgery
If you are struggling with obesity and would like to learn more about your many options for treatment, be sure to contact our team of bariatric surgeons. The team at Oasis of Hope can be reached by phone at (619) 690-8417.
