DISCLOSURE DOCUMENTS: SECTION 2

The decision about whether to undergo bariatric surgery is complex, intensely personal, and of great magnitude.  It will dramatically change your life.  Together, you and your surgeon must agree weight loss surgery is the appropriate therapeutic option. 

The decision to become a surgical candidate for a bariatric surgical procedure is based on the following: 

·        Weight - Surgery is only offered to patients who have a BMI greater than 40 or a BMI of 35 or greater if the patient has an associated co-morbid factor (associated medical condition as diabetes, hypertension, etc.).

·        Ability to comply with therapy - you must be able to follow the advice and instructions of your surgeon, especially regarding diet and exercise after surgery.  Diet and exercise are required for success after the surgery.  At the time you meet with your prospective surgeon, he will determine whether you are a candidate for this surgical procedure based on your ability to understand and comply with the requirement of the proposed surgical procedure.

·        Surgery as the last therapeutic option – The patient must have demonstrated multiple failed attempts at medical regimens (diets, controlled behavior, etc).

·        Other medical conditions – Morbidly obese patients become quite ill as a result of their obesity.  In these individuals, their excess weight has generated significant and permanent damage to one or more organ systems.  The most commonly affected organs are the lungs (sleep apnea and Gastro-esophageal Reflux), the heart (congestive failure or coronary artery disease), and the kidneys (diabetes or high blood pressure).  These medical problems will increase the risks of any major surgical procedure including bariatric surgery, but they also validate the need for weight loss.  Thus significant medical problems require careful consideration, but are not necessarily a contraindication to surgery.

·        Age - The usual age range for this procedure is 21 to 55 years old. Young people who suffer from morbid obesity must demonstrate exceptional maturity and independent thought to become good candidates for a bariatric surgical procedure.  In our practice, we do not perform the gastric bypass procedure on patients older than 55 years old. The decision to operate patients between 55 and 65 years old is made on an individual basis.

·        Reaction of Family and Friends:  Family and friends of morbidly obese patients  who are about to undergo this procedure sometimes do not conprehend this decision. They simply are unable to understand the courage it takes to make such a decision. They may ask why they don't simply "take control of their life" and lose the weight by dieting.  Those who choose surgery (after all the other options have been exhausted) are in fact doing what they need to do to regain control of their life.

·        The Type of Procedure:  Selecting the correct bariatric surgical procedure for each patient is essential. Your surgeon will explain the benefits and risks of each bariatric procedure.