No. Weight loss surgery is not right for everyone. It is an individual decision that is best made with the help of a physician, taking into account your medical history and commitment to a healthier lifestyle. While bariatric surgery is the most effective way to treat morbid obesity, it will not work if you are not committed to diet and exercise changes. The bariatric specialists at Piedmont Hospital will help you determine if you are the right candidate for bariatric surgery.

Piedmont Hospital follows guidelines established by the National Institutes of Health to determine eligibility. You are a potential candidate if:

• You have failed at previous weight loss attempts using a medically supervised program
• Your Body Mass Index (BMI - ratio between height and weight) is greater than 40 or between 35 and 40 with major obesity-related medical problems

Every surgery comes with risks, including bariatric surgery. The risks are different for each patient. However, your bariatric surgeon will explain your particular risks, based on your medical history, in detail.

Weight loss depends on individual factors such as exercise and eating habits; no two patients’ weight loss will be the same. However, there are some general weight loss guidelines. Patients who have the laparoscopic adjustable gastric band (LAP-BAND®, or Realize™) usually lose about 1-2 pounds a week on average. Lap-Banding gives gradual weight loss. Gastric bypass patients lose about 50-60 percent of their excess body weight over 12 to 18 months. Overall, most patients can lose 60 percent of their excess body weight with bariatric body surgery.

Women should avoid becoming pregnant for at least 18 months following surgery.

Insurance coverage depends on your individual health care policy. Some insurers will cover the surgery if a patient has certain medical conditions, while others won’t. Please check with your insurance company to see if your surgery is covered, and under what conditions. If your insurance does not cover your procedure, you would be a self-pay patient.

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The time frame really depends on your evaluation, tests, program requirements and insurance. Between your first consult to your actual surgery, timeframes may range from 2-6 months. There are diet, exercise and sleep apnea evaluations, as well as meetings and medical testing. We recommend that you begin to focus on weight loss and implement an exercise regimen before your surgery.

Generally, hospital stays are between one and three days, but vary according to surgery. Laparoscopic adjustable gastric band (LAP-BAND®, or Realize™) surgery typically requires an overnight hospital stay. Gastric sleeve and bypass surgery require two days in the hospital.

You can expect to return to work at least two weeks following surgery.

Yes, patients must take a multi-vitamin and calcium supplements daily.

If you are not committed to long-term weight loss (i.e., using appropriate diet and exercise regimens), you may regain weight. Bariatric surgery is a tool to lose weight; it is not a guarantee.

Typically, you begin losing weight immediately after surgery.