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Am I Eligible for Weight Loss Surgery?

Am I Eligible for Weight Loss Surgery?

If you’re overweight, you probably have dreams of what it would feel like to be lighter on your feet, more comfortable in your clothes, more active in your lifestyle, and healthier. 

Unfortunately, there’s not a magic pill that drops the weight for you. Weight loss surgery might be an effective option if you’ve struggled with losing unwanted pounds. But you have to qualify first.

Aliu Sanni, MD, FACS, and our bariatric team of experts make your health a priority. When you visit our practice, Eastside Bariatric & General Surgery in Snellville, Georgia, we start with a consultation to give guidance on weight loss and help determine the right procedure or approach for you.

Guidelines to qualify for weight loss surgery

Before you can be a candidate for weight loss surgery, we have to make sure that you fall within the medical guidelines.

The qualification process usually starts with your body mass index (BMI), which is a formula that uses your height and weight to determine your estimated body fat. You can plug in your numbers here to get an idea of how it works.

Most people who have a BMI of 40 or higher qualify for the surgery. But the decision doesn’t always rely solely on this calculation. That’s why you need to come in for a consultation with Dr. Sanni for his expertise and professional assessment.

He may determine that you’re a candidate for weight loss surgery if you:

You can’t always rely on your BMI to determine if you need to lose weight. For example, a body builder has more muscle, which weighs more and shoots your BMI to a higher number. Or if you’re elderly, a higher BMI can actually help protect you from osteoporosis. 

You also shouldn’t use the BMI calculator for children. A pediatrician should evaluate your child to determine the appropriate weight for their age and body type.

The next steps

If your surgery is a go, then we move forward with preparing you for what’s next. 

We begin with a consultation to explain your options, your program, your expectations, and how the process works. We also make sure you’re aware of any risks that come with the procedure you choose.

Our intent is to help you succeed at getting your weight within a healthy range so you can achieve a high quality of life in the long term. The aesthetic results are an added bonus. When you feel good in what you wear and have the ability to get around easily, your self-confidence can skyrocket, which can help you feel happier.

If you have weight to lose and you’re ready to find out if weight loss surgery might be your answer, don’t hesitate to pick up the phone to schedule a consultation with Dr. Sanni today. You can also text us or use the online booking tool for convenience.

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