Do I Qualify for Weight Loss Surgery?

Are your attempts at dieting at a dead end? Perhaps you feel it’s a battle you can’t win, and you’re tired of the failure cycle. It’s time to consider weight loss surgery. Are you a good candidate? 

At Turnquest Surgical Solutions, our caring board-certified bariatric surgeons, Dexter G. Turnquest, MD, and Victoria C. Chang, MD, determine if you qualify for weight loss surgery. 

To learn if you’re a candidate for weight loss surgery, we consider:

• Your medical history
• The results of your medical tests
• Your psychological evaluation

Basic requirements for weight loss surgery 

The following are the base level requirements for weight loss surgery:

• A body mass index (BMI) equal to or more than 40, or more than 100 pounds overweight 
• A BMI greater than or equal to 35 with one or more obesity-related conditions, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and Type 2 diabetes 
• Inability to lose significant weight and then maintain your weight loss

Medical tests and medical history 

Beyond these initial requirements for weight loss surgery, you need an array of other tests. We want to make sure you’re healthy enough to withstand and recover well from the surgery. 

You need a complete blood count test, other blood tests, and a urinalysis. You also need a chest X-ray and an electrocardiogram. 

Based on your medical history and our evaluation, we may ask for a gallbladder ultrasound to look for gallstones, a pulmonary function test, an echocardiogram, a sleep study if you haven’t already had one, a GI evaluation, and/or a cardiology evaluation. 

There’s a reason for all of these tests. We don’t want you to suffer complications from the operation. Certain conditions such as blood clots, heart problems, kidney stones, or nutritional weaknesses may make you ineligible for the surgery, at least right away. 

Psychological readiness to make a lifestyle change 

In addition to medical testing, your insurance company may require a psychological evaluation to ensure you understand the procedure you’re about to undergo, its risks, and lifestyle changes you need to make after the surgery. 

For example, some types of surgery require you to take vitamins and supplements every day for the rest of your life because your body won’t absorb the same amount of nutrients it did before surgery. You need to be committed to doing so to maintain your health. 

Pre-surgical evaluation 

To show your readiness to change your lifestyle, we may ask you to lose some weight in the months prior to the surgery. If you haven’t been able to do that, your surgery may be postponed. 

Weight loss surgery is a major commitment to becoming a healthier person. We want to make sure you’re ready for this positive transition. 

Call us at one of our two offices in Houston, Texas, or book an appointment online today for expert surgical weight loss care.