When is the right time to have gastric sleeve or gastric bypass surgery? It’s a question many people who have tried multiple diets yet still struggle to lose weight ask themselves. Should I wait until I’ve tried one more diet to see if it works? Should I wait until I have a better support system? And now, should I wait until the quarantine period is over? Deciding whether to wait or move forward with weight loss surgery is an individual decision, however if you’re considering surgery here are a few facts to help you decide if now’s the right time for you.

Health Benefits

An important benefit of gastric sleeve or gastric bypass surgery is that it reduces or resolves most obesity-related health conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea and joint pain.  If any of these conditions are a concern for you, then it may be time to start thinking about gastric sleeve or bypass surgery.

Weight Loss Surgery Journey

There are two parts to your journey to weight loss surgery, which happen in tandem.  One part is meeting insurance guidelines that vary depending on the plan.  And, many plans require a medically supervised weight loss program prior to surgery, usually lasting 90 days.  The second part is clinical, ensuring we understand the state of your health to do the surgery safely and that you are prepared. Your surgeon orders individual medical tests to make sure you’re as healthy as possible for surgery such as blood work, EKG and chest x-rays, as well as nutrition and psychological evaluations. This journey can take between 2 to 3 months. Understanding the timeline and the process can help you determine when the right time is for you to start your weight loss surgery journey.  

Obesity & COVID-19

The current pandemic has highlighted the effects obesity has on our health. The CDC recently published a list of factors that put people at a higher risk for complications from COVID-19, with obesity, having a body mass index (bmi) of 40 or above, one of them. Obesity is known to alter your immune response and decrease your body’s ability to fight infection. Taking the necessary steps to lose weight and improve your health increases your body’s ability to fight many diseases and viruses.

To find out more about weight loss surgery to determine if now is the right time for you to start the journey, register for a free webinar here. If you have questions, call us at 908 - 481-1270. Our team will discuss your health goals with you and create a plan to help you achieve them.