Losing weight isn’t easy for anyone, but it’s even more difficult for those who are significantly overweight. Diet and exercise only get you so far; for some, those efforts aren't enough to reach your desired goal. If this sounds like you, bariatric surgery could be the ticket to finally losing the weight for good.
Dr. Robert Snow and our team at Snow Bariatric Center provide individualized weight loss services to the Flower Mound and Fort Worth, Texas, communities. If you live in the area and are significantly overweight, schedule a consultation with Dr. Snow — he has the tools and expertise to help.
Bariatric surgery is a broad term that describes any procedure that helps you lose excess weight by making changes to your digestive system.
Bariatric procedures are used when you’re severely overweight or obese and can’t lose weight on your own. We typically recommend bariatric surgery for patients who have obesity-related health conditions, such as:
Bariatric surgery aims to help you lose significant amounts of weight and decrease your risk for these conditions. For some people, bariatric surgery can reverse diabetes.
It’s important to understand that bariatric surgery isn’t right for everyone who’s overweight. You must meet specific criteria for Dr. Snow to consider you for this type of procedure.
There are various forms of bariatric surgery. After a thorough examination, Dr. Snow provides you with the best option for your specific body type and goals.
Each form of bariatric surgery works differently to help your body optimize weight loss. A few of the bariatric surgery options Dr. Snow performs include:
While the Obalon Balloon System and Bariatric Endoscopy aren’t surgical procedures, they still require Dr. Snow’s guidance and expertise to be successful.
Each type of bariatric surgery works on your body differently to help you feel more full with less food. The decreased caloric intake leads to significant weight loss within a short period of time.
Now that you know all about bariatric surgery, is it for you? A lot goes into the decision to undergo bariatric surgery, including your lifestyle and overall health.
One of the most significant factors in determining if you’re a good candidate for weight loss surgery is your body mass index or BMI. This number determines your body fat based on your weight and your height.
According to the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS), you’re considered a good candidate for weight loss surgery if your BMI is greater than 40 and you’re 100 or more pounds overweight.
The ASMBS also considers you a good candidate if your BMI is more than 35 and you have at least one weight-related disease, such as high blood pressure, sleep apnea, or type 2 diabetes.
For Dr. Snow to consider you for bariatric surgery, you must also be free of drug addiction or alcoholism, and you shouldn’t have any serious psychiatric conditions before undergoing surgery.
We also require documented evidence of previous weight loss attempts and weight management by your primary care doctor. This shows you’ve been unsuccessful with other, less invasive forms of weight loss.
Ultimately, it’s up to you and Dr. Snow to determine if bariatric surgery is the right step for you to regain your health.
If you need help losing weight, don’t hesitate to call one of our offices in Texas today. You can also request an appointment online using the booking tool on our website.
