Do I qualify?

Question
I have been told that I qualify for weight loss surgery, but am unsure if I really am a candidate.  I am 5'9'' and I weigh 445 lbs. (Im 24 years old.) Do you think that I would benefit from surgery, and if so, which do you think would be most effective?  I have been overweight since I was a small child, and I didnt step on a scale for about 4 years.  Last time I stepped on the scale, (before last week) I was 260 lbs., which means I gained almost 200 lbs. in 4 years.  All of my friends/family are worried about me, and sometimes I dont exactly feel like it is THAT big of a deal.  I am just unsure of what I should do. I know that it is not healthy to be this size, but I guess I just havnt seen it as a priority. (although I am kind of starting to see it that way now).  Do you have any feedback?

Answer
Hi Sarah,

Thanks for contacting me with your question.

As far as if you're a candidate, you'd need to discuss your medical history, lab testing or other tests the surgeon needs to see if you are.  However, your body mass index (bmi) indicates that you qualify for weight loss surgery.  

As far as physically, being morbidly obese (what we're called when our bmi is within a certain range), has serious health consequences.  You may or may not have any of them now but as you get older, the probability of you having obesity-related health issues will increase.  People that are morbidly obese are at a higher risk for Type 2 diabetes, heart and blood pressure issues, arthritic conditions of our joints and spine, sleep apnea, and others.  

Another thing to ask yourself if you are willing to change the habits that made us heavy in the first place to healthy habits that not only help us lose weight but maintain it.  The maintaining part was difficult for me.  I wasn't able to maintain a weight loss for very long until I had weight loss surgery.  Changing your lifestyle and habits to reflect those of good healthy choices will be important if you have weight loss surgery.

As far as the most effective procedure, it is a very personal decision.  There are pros and cons to each of the procedures.  I would suggest that you research each of the procedures (RNY gastric bypass, Lapband, Duodenal Switch, Sleeve).  Check to see which you think would work best for you.  For some people, they prefer the Lapband because it is less intrusive than any of the other procedures.  Others prefer a more malabsorptive procedure such as the RNY or Duodenal Switch.  Research each of them thoroughly and you will know which procedure is best for you.  

I work for ObesityHelp.com and they have surgical procedure forums that are excellent.  You might join (no charge) and visit each of the forums.  You'd also be able, if you'd like, to read or post to members on each of the message boards as to why they picked the procedure they did and ask for their personal experience with the procedure.  I'd also ask them if they had it to do all over again if they would and if they wish they'd had another procedure.

I didn't see my size as a huge priority until I developed Type 2 diabetes because of my excess weight and the toll and stress it placed on my body.  With your younger age, if you take it as a priority now, you won't have your life limited in ways that others of us that had our surgery when we were older have experienced.  Also, you'll reduce the chances that you will develop some of the obesity-related issues.

For me, I'd have my weight loss surgery every year if I needed to in order to have the life I have today.  Although that being said, weight loss surgery isn't for everyone and it is a personal decision.  Research it thoroughly and make the decision that is right for you.  

Thanks again for contacting me.  All the best in making your decision.

In health,
Cathy, CLC
Certified Life Coach, Weight Loss Surgery Coach

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