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Take this quiz to see which weight loss surgery is best for you, depending on your health, weight, and lifestyle.
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Table of Contents
Introduction
Weight loss surgery is a big decision. It’s not right for everyone, but it may be an option if you’re very obese and other weight loss methods haven’t worked for you.
There are several types of weight loss surgery. The best one for you depends on your health, your weight-loss goals, and your preferences.
This quiz can help you learn more about the different types of surgery and which one might be right for you.
Am I A Candidate For Weight Loss Surgery?
Wondering if weight loss surgery is right for you? Take this quick quiz to find out!
Health History
Not all weight loss surgery patients have the same medical history. Some may have Diabetes, while others may have sleep apnea or other conditions. Health history plays a role in which weight loss surgery is best for each individual.
-Do you have diabetes?
-Do you have sleep apnea?
-Do you have high blood pressure?
-Do you have heart disease?
Body Mass Index (BMI)
Calculate Your Body Mass Index (BMI)
To calculate your body mass index, you’ll need to know your height and weight. Then, plug those numbers into this BMI calculator or this BMI formula:
BMI = (weight in pounds / (height in inches x height in inches)) x 703
If your BMI is:
Below 18.5 – You are considered underweight. You may have an increased risk of developing certain health problems.
Between 18.5 and 24.9 – You are considered a healthy weight. You have a lower risk of developing many health problems.
Between 25 and 29.9 – You are considered overweight. You have a higher risk of developing certain health problems, such as high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes.
30 or above – You are considered obese. You have a very high risk of developing certain health problems, such as heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.
Weight Loss Goals
Before you can decide if weight loss surgery is right for you, it’s important to understand your weight loss goals.
The first step is to calculate your body mass index (BMI). BMI is a measure of body fat based on height and weight. It’s not a perfect measure, but it’s a good place to start.
If your BMI is:
-Below 18.5, you are considered underweight.
-Between 18.5 and 24.9, you are considered a healthy weight.
-Between 25 and 29.9, you are considered overweight.
-Above 30, you are considered obese.
If you fall into the obese category, you may be a candidate for weight loss surgery. However, there are other factors to consider before making a decision.
Other factors to consider include:
-Your overall health
-Your motivation for surgery
-Your ability to commit to long-term lifestyle changes
Types of Weight Loss Surgery
Weight loss surgery is a big decision. There are many things to consider before you make the choice to have surgery. This quiz will help you understand which weight loss surgery is best for you.
Gastric Sleeve
Gastric sleeve surgery, also known as vertical sleeve gastrectomy, is a weight loss surgery in which the stomach is reduced to about 25% of its original size by surgically removing a large portion of the stomach along the vertical axis. The remaining stomach is shaped like a sleeve or tube and is approximately the size and shape of a banana. This smaller stomach can hold less food and makes you feel full more quickly. Gastric sleeve surgery can be performed laparoscopically, which means that only a few small incisions are made.
Most people who have gastric sleeve surgery lose 60-70% of their excess body weight within 12-18 months after surgery. For example, if you weigh 300 pounds and are 50 pounds overweight, you can expect to lose approximately 25-35 pounds after gastric sleeve surgery. While weight loss results vary from person to person, gastric sleeve surgery is one of the most effective weight loss surgeries available.
Some of the benefits of gastric sleeve surgery include:
-Significant weight loss
-Reduced hunger and appetite
– Reduced cravings for sugary and high-fat foods
– improved blood sugar control in people with diabetes
-improved blood pressure control in people with hypertension
-improved cholesterol levels
– improved sleep apnea
Gastric Bypass
If you have gastric bypass surgery, a surgeon will create a small pouch in the top of your stomach. Next, the surgeon connects the small intestine to the pouch. This causes food to bypass the rest of your stomach and the upper part of your small intestine. By doing this, you eat less and can’t absorb all the calories from what you eat.
Gastric bypass is usually done with laparoscopic surgery. With this type of surgery, the surgeon makes several small incisions in your abdomen and inserts long, thin instruments through them.
Gastric bypass may also be done as an open surgery. For open surgery, the surgeon will make one large incision in your abdomen.
Duodenal Switch
Duodenal switch surgery, also known as biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch, is a type of bariatric surgery that involves both restrictive and malabsorptive procedures.
The first part of the surgery, called the restrictive procedure, involves removing a large portion of the stomach. This leaves a small pouch that holds only about one ounce (30 milliliters) of food.
Next, the surgeon disconnects the small intestine from the stomach and reattaches it to the newly created small stomach pouch. About two-thirds of the small intestine is then bypassed. This part of the surgery is called the malabsorptive procedure.
The last part of duodenal switch surgery involves reattaching the end of the small intestine to a lower point on the large intestine. This allows digestive juices to mix with food as it passes through your body, which helps you absorb more nutrients and calories.
Duodenal switch surgery is typically only recommended for people who are significantly overweight (BMI>40) or who have failed to lose weight with other weight loss methods, such as diet and exercise. Duodenal switch surgery carries a higher risk of complications than other types of bariatric surgery, so it’s important to discuss all your options with your doctor before deciding if this surgery is right for you.
Quiz
Question #1
How overweight are you?
-Very overweight (BMI of 40 or greater)
-Slightly overweight (BMI of 35-39.9)
-Not sure
Question #2
How overweight are you?
-Very overweight (more than 100 pounds over your ideal body weight)
-Moderately overweight (50-100 pounds over your ideal body weight)
-Slightly overweight (25-50 pounds over your ideal body weight)
Question #3
3. What is your current weight?
– less than 100 pounds
– 100-199 pounds
– 200-299 pounds
– 300-399 pounds
– 400 or more pounds
Results
You’re a Candidate for Gastric Sleeve Surgery!
Result #1
You’re a candidate for weight loss surgery!
Based on your answers, you may qualify for one of the following procedures:
Gastric Sleeve
Also known as vertical sleeve gastrectomy, this procedure involves removing up to 85% of the stomach, leaving a long, thin sleeve or tube. It’s one of the most common weight loss surgeries performed today.
Gastric Bypass
This procedure involves creating a small pouch at the top of the stomach and connecting it directly to the small intestine. Bypassing most of the stomach and a section of the small intestine helps you absorb fewer calories and feel full more quickly.
Result #2
You’re a candidate for the gastric bypass surgery!
The gastric bypass is one of the most common weight loss surgeries performed today. It’s also one of the most successful, with patients losing an average of 50-60% of their excess body weight.
The gastric bypass works by significantly reducing the size of your stomach and re-routing your intestines so that you absorb fewer calories. This surgery is typically recommended for patients with a BMI over 40, or a BMI over 35 with obesity-related health conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure.
If you’re considering the gastric bypass surgery, you should know that it is a major operation with some serious risks. These risks include infection, bleeding, and blood clots. There’s also a small risk (1-2%) of death.
The gastric bypass is not reversible, so it’s important to be sure that you’re ready to commit to this surgery before going ahead with it. If you have any questions or concerns, be sure to talk to your doctor before making a decision.
Result #3
If you are 50-59 years old, have a BMI of 35-39.9, and have obesity-related health conditions, then you may be a good candidate for gastric bypass surgery. This type of surgery involves creating a small stomach pouch and bypassing part of the small intestine. It is usually only recommended for people who have not been able to lose weight through other means, such as diet and exercise.
Conclusion
Based on your answers, it appears that you may be a candidate for weight loss surgery. There are several different types of weight loss surgery, and the type that is best for you will depend on your individual circumstances. You should discuss your options with a qualified healthcare professional to determine which type of surgery is right for you.