Should I Get Weight Loss Surgery?

Weight loss surgery, also known as bariatric surgery, can be a life-changing procedure that boasts numerous benefits, which is why many people look up weight loss surgery Beverly Hills, but it isn’t for everyone. The weight loss surgeries offered by our weight loss clinic are gastric band, gastric bypass surgery, gastric sleeve surgery, and the non-surgical weight loss balloon. Each has its benefits and drawbacks, but how do you know if weight loss surgery is right for you?

By consulting with the best weight loss surgery Beverly Hills clinics, like Weight Loss Los Angeles, you’ll be in good hands with our experts and will have all of your questions answered. Before booking a consultation though, it can be helpful to fully understand the medical implications, concerns, and guidelines you should keep in mind when deciding if one of our procedures is right for you.

What is the Purpose of Weight Loss Surgery?

Weight loss surgery is a medical procedure done in order to help the client lose and keep off the pounds. Whether you’re struggling to lose weight for yourself, need to manage obesity-related conditions, like diabetes, or want to lower your risk for heart disease, weight loss surgery can be incredibly beneficial for your health. However, it’s important to remember that the surgery should only be undergone with the understanding that a healthy diet and active lifestyle are necessary in order to achieve your weight loss goals.

Do You Qualify for Weight Loss Surgery?

There are some general guidelines that dictate whether you’re a candidate for weight loss surgery, but these are sometimes flexible depending on your specific situation. Your body mass index (BMI) is one-way weight loss clinics can tell whether you need the help of weight loss surgery. Your BMI is an estimate of your body fat content based on your height and weight, and those with a reading of 40 or more may qualify for the procedure.

However, if you have a BMI of 35 or higher, you’ve been diagnosed with an obesity-related illness, and have also attempted to lose weight for a certain period of time under guidance, you might also qualify. The severity of your obesity-related medical condition, how long you’ve attempted weight loss, and any other health-related circumstances might be deciding factors of whether you should have weight loss surgery or not.

What is the First Step Towards Getting Weight Loss Surgery?

If you’re interested in receiving weight loss surgery, you’ll first need to meet with a team of healthcare providers that specialize in all of the areas the surgery will concern. This could include your general practitioner, nurse, surgeon, dietician, or psychiatrist. They will talk you through what to expect from the process and discuss with you whether or not you should have the surgery. As you’re making the decision on whether bariatric surgery is right for you, you’ll need to weigh up all of the requirements and changes you’ll need to make, and consider if you can truly commit to them.

What You Should Keep in Mind

There are some concerns you should be aware of if you’re considering weight loss surgery, and they’ll delve into these with you during your meeting as well. Bariatric surgery comes with medical concerns, mental health concerns, and a list of criteria you must meet before undergoing the procedure.

Medical Concerns

In order to determine whether you’re able to have weight loss surgery, your doctor will run a series of tests. Firstly, to diagnose any potential obesity-related conditions like liver, cardiovascular, or kidney disease, and secondly, to assess whether you have any medical conditions that might rule out surgery altogether. Any conditions that would create risk factors when using anesthesia, like heart disease or blood clotting issues, might prevent you from receiving bariatric surgery.

Mental Health Concerns

Weight loss surgery isn’t just a physical journey. It can affect your mental health, so it’s important for your healthcare team to assess your mental wellbeing for any risk factors. This is also to ensure you’re able to change your lifestyle behaviors in order to stick to your pre- and post-treatment plans.

They will assess your motivating factors for losing weight and monitor how capable you are at following their guidance. Your doctors will also review your previous attempts to lose weight, as this can give them more insight into how to best help you and where your weak points may be. The final assessment in regards to your lifestyle behaviors will be an examination of your eating habits to see if you may suffer from an eating disorder or poor nutritional intake.

When your doctors evaluate your mental health to determine whether your psychological factors pose a risk, they will aim to test you for any mood or psychological disorders or substance abuse. These factors can put you at a higher risk of suicide, and because those who undergo weight loss surgery are more likely to experience suicidal tendencies, this is a crucial mental health concern that your healthcare team needs to be aware of.

Requirements Before the Surgery

If you’ve undergone the medical testing and your doctors are pleased to recommend the surgery for you, they will put together a plan with you. This is part of the evaluation process and your treatment plan must be followed to prove that you’re capable and willing enough to make the lifestyle changes necessary in order to see long-term benefits. 

This might entail nutritional and exercise plans, a weight loss goal before you can receive the surgery, mental health support or therapy to help treat any conditions you may have, and quitting smoking or substance use. Your inability to follow the treatment plan can lead to your healthcare team postponing or canceling the weight loss surgery. This is for your own benefit though, as you may have shown that you aren’t mentally or physically ready to take on this change in your life right now.

How Much Does A Gastric Sleeve Cost?

Paying for weight loss surgery can be a concern for some, which is why it’s important to find out if your insurance will cover the procedure. Depending on your location, you can see gastric sleeve surgery costs ranging from $15,000 to upwards of $25,000. By ensuring you’ve kept all documents relating to your weight loss attempts, you’ll have better luck with making a claim, as long as your surgery is necessary for your health. Before searching for the cheapest place for weight loss surgery, or “gastric sleeve abroad reviews” — which often lead to unsafe clinics with little reputability — research your insurance coverage and what your out-of-pocket payment might be.

Weight Loss Surgery Beverly Hills

If you’re looking for the best weight loss surgery Beverly Hills has to offer, you’ve found it. Here at Weight Loss Los Angeles, our team of highly-skilled experts have your best interest in mind and can help you make an informed decision about how to achieve the best weight loss results for you. We understand that every client is different, and we offer a range of services to help you reach a healthier lifestyle with this in mind. Give us a call today at (213) 358-2323 to start your weight loss transformation.