Anyone who suffers from clinically significant obesity and has not been able to lose weight with lifestyle and dietary changes and maintain that weight loss may be a candidate for weight loss surgery, also referred to as metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) or simply bariatric surgery.
Bariatric surgery is safe and effective in achieving long-lasting weight loss. Whether or not to have bariatric surgery is a major decision and should be made only after understanding the results and effects of this life-changing surgery.
The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) generally recommends Bariatric Surgery for anyone with:
Body mass index (BMI) of >40
BMI of >35 with serious health issues like sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes, heart disease or obesity
BMI >30 with type 2 diabetes that is difficult to control with medical treatments and lifestyle changes
It’s important to note that each individual is different and requires a patient-specific consultation with a medical professional to determine if they are eligible for weight loss surgery.
What Does Your BMI Have to Be for Bariatric Surgery Through Insurance?
Most insurance companies cover weight loss surgery in patients with:
BMI >40
BMI >35 and 39.9 with obesity-associated conditions such as sleep apnea, diabetes, hypertension or heart disease that are not well controlled with optimal medical management
As of 2024, many insurance companies now cover bariatric surgery for certain individuals with:
BMI >30 with diagnosed type 2 diabetes that is not well controlled with medical management
Benefits of Weight Loss Surgery
Bariatric surgery is currently considered the most effective option to treat obesity, leading to reduced body weight while improving cardiovascular function. It can also help patients improve obesity-related conditions beyond just weight loss, including sleep apnea and diabetes.
The safe option offers a lasting solution that can also improve confidence. Follow-up care is critical to monitor nutritional deficiencies and ensure overall well-being.
Moverover, bariatric treatment can benefit a person’s health-related quality of life. Successful outcomes increase when patients continue receiving holistic care, including mental health checkups and attending follow-up visits after bariatric surgery.
Considerations Before Bariatric Surgery
You should also consider the following before choosing bariatric surgery:
Insurance Criteria
Many insurance plans cover weight loss surgery, and it is likely that they will have additional criteria to fulfill, including specific BMI criteria for certain types of surgeries and a clinician-supervised pre-surgery program. Patients can submit and verify their insurance information on our website. Our office will verify the specifics with the insurance carrier and respond prior to scheduling the consultation.
Medical History
Excessive weight can affect every aspect of one’s quality of life. During the consultation, patients have a medical exam to check for obesity-related conditions and an activity assessment. Their health care provider will also perform lab tests, imaging studies and evaluation of heart and lungs to ensure their safety and verify eligibility for surgery.
For patients looking for a safe and reliable weight loss option, surgery offers unparalleled efficacy and long-lasting weight loss results. Our surgical options put the patient’s health goals first, while unhealthy weight loss options like fad diets and drastic caloric restrictions can lead to muscle loss, lower metabolism and increased risk of health conditions.
Not to mention, these nonsurgical methods may cause individuals to lose weight quickly and then pack it back on with even more fat and less muscle. One of the best ways to lose weight and keep it off in the healthiest way possible is through weight loss procedures.
Choosing the Right Option
At Center for Weight Loss Surgery, we perform a comprehensive evaluation of all patients to determine what would be the best option. Several safe and effective weight loss options are available today, including:
Sleeve Gastrectomy
Duodenal Switch
Single Anastomosis Duodenal-Ileal bypass with Sleeve Gastrectomy (SADI-S/SADI/SIPS)
Their expected weight loss:Many patients have had success by combining restrictive and malabsorptive approaches like the Duodenal Switch if they are seeking a higher amount of weight loss with smaller regain rates.
They have weight-related conditions: If a patient has a weight-related condition like type 2 diabetes, the duodenal switch has a greater than 90% remission rate for weight-related diabetes.
If they need to lose weight for elective surgery: If, for example, they are undergoing spine surgery or a hip or knee replacement, a Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy or the Duodenal Switch might be the option since it offers rapid, predictable weight loss.
Schedule a Consultation at Center for Weight Loss Surgery
At Center for Weight Loss Surgery, we understand that obesity is a chronic disease that doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all solution. That’s why our practice is committed to providing safe and effective weight loss solutions in the Seattle area. We’ve had patients experience success with both surgical and nonsurgical weight loss methods.
Bariatric surgery delivers excellent long-term weight loss results, helping to treat obesity so you can look and feel your best. Together, we will determine the right bariatric surgery for you.
During the consultation, we will educate you and help you determine which would be the best option and compare the different surgeries to help you make the best decision for your health and goals.
