Preparing for Weight Loss Surgery The decision to undergo any form of voluntary surgery is a major decision that should be weighed and investigated completely before going through with the procedure. The decision to undergo weight loss surgery is equally as important and should be treated with the same care and consideration that one would place on other forms of surgery. Undergoing weight loss surgery is a major step in life, and for that reason a person who is considering the surgery should find out all they can about the procedure before submitting their selves to the operating table. Weight loss surgery hold many benefits for those who do choose to undergo its treatment, but most of the time the decision to undergo such a procedure should only be made as a last ditch effort to control one’s weight.
A Safe, Effective Method Doctors and medical professionals urge individuals to first try conventional methods to weight loss before undergoing bariatric or weight loss surgery. Such traditional methods of weight loss include the establishment of a proper diet and exercise regimen and enrolling in a medically supervised weight loss program. While most individuals can successfully lose the weight the desire through these and other conventional methods, there are still those people who cannot seem to lose their excess weight or maintain a healthy weight. For these individuals, weight loss surgery may be the only way for them to slim down to healthy levels and see the results they have been working towards. Preparing for a weight loss procedure is a crucial step for these individuals who have tried every other conventional way to lose weight without success. By preparing for the upcoming procedure, a person undergoing weight loss can help themselves in both the recovery process and before the surgery is performed. The initial step in preparing for a weight loss surgery is to contact one’s insurance company to see if they will cover the cost of the surgery or to what extent they will supplement the procedure. Some insurance
companies will cover the cost while others will not, and so the person undergoing the procedure will need to learn to what extent they are covered by their insurance.
Finding an Expert Bariatric Surgeon The next step for the individual will be to find a bariatric surgeon. Bariatric surgeons, or weight loss surgeons, can be found in most areas, but choosing the right surgeon is a very important step in the process of preparation. The main characteristics of the surgeon that a person will want to find out before approaching the surgeon and requesting the service include finding out if the surgeon is certified by the American Board of Surgery and a member of the American Society of Bariatric Surgeons. With these two basic board certifications, a person can rest assured that their surgeon is qualified enough to perform the specialized surgical procedure. The last step to preparing for a weight loss surgery will be to continue to strive to be healthy both before and after the surgery. While many individuals find their bariatric surgery to be a great success, the ability to continue healthy practices following the surgery will be critical in the recovery of the surgery and in staying healthy for years after the surgery. Photo Credit: Phalinn Ooi, mandykoh, kris krug