Question 1

What constitutes being obese?

Accepted Answer

There are several ways in which obesity is defined. One of the most commonly used methods is by BMI, or body mass index. BMI is a measurement based on your height and weight. There are many “BMI calculators” available online which allow you to easily determine your BMI. Use our BMI calculator at the top of this page.

Question 2

What weight makes one a candidate for bariatric surgery?

Accepted Answer

A person who has a BMI greater than 25% is considered overweight. If your BMI is great than 30%, you are considered obese. If your BMI is greater than 40, or if it is greater than 35 and you suffer from an obesity-related medical problem such as sleep apnea, hypertension, diabetes, etc., you are considered morbidly obese, at which point you are a candidate for bariatric weight loss surgery.

Question 3

How long does the recovery process take after bariatric surgery?

Accepted Answer

After surgery, most patients are able to return to work within just one to two weeks and are able to return to regular exercise after 4-6 weeks. Your surgeon at BASS Medical Group will work with you to create a post-bariatric surgery plan.

Question 4

How much weight does one lose after weight-loss surgery?

Accepted Answer

The results of bariatric weight loss surgery are truly amazing. Patients can generally anticipate losing 50-70% of their excess weight. Studies show that the weight loss after surgery is not temporary, but is permanent, unlike after dieting. The amount of weight you lose is dependent on which weight-loss surgical procedure you and your physician choose, and how well you adopt healthy eating and exercise habits. Just as important as the weight loss, is that there is an excellent chance of obesity-related medical problems, such as diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, etc., will improve or completely resolve.  In addition, patients following weight loss surgery report feeling much more energetic, active, and generally able to do many things they were unable to do prior to surgery.

Question 5

Will my insurance cover bariatric surgery?

Accepted Answer

The answer to this question depends on your insurance plan. However, in most cases, insurance companies cover weight-loss surgery providing you meet certain medical criteria. One of our patient coordinators at BASS Medical Group can help determine whether your insurance company covers weight-loss surgery, and can also help determine what, if any, out-of-pocket costs will be associated with bariatric surgery.

Question 6

How does weight-loss surgery improve overall health?

Accepted Answer

There are many health risks associated with being overweight, especially if you suffer from morbid obesity. Weight-loss surgery can significantly improve your overall health. Some of the many benefits of weight-loss surgery include Improvements in energy and self-confidence, Reduction in high blood pressure and high cholesterol, Reduction in risk for heart disease, Reduction or elimination of sleep apnea, Reduction in Type 2 Diabetes, Reduction in Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Reduction in Asthma, Reduction in Urinary Incontinence,

Question 7

Who would qualify for weight loss surgery?

Accepted Answer

That's a very common question. Qualification for weight loss surgery is based on the BMI or body mass index, which is a calculation made with your height and weight. There are many online calculators where you can input your height and weight to determine your BMI. Patients with a BMI of over 40 qualify for weight loss surgery, and those patients who have obesity-related medical problems like diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and high cholesterol would qualify for weight loss surgery with a BMI of 35 or above. I'm Dr. Brian Chin, thanks for listening.

Question 8

What is the most common stigma behind weight loss surgery?

Accepted Answer

I would say one of the more common misconceptions I hear patients voice about weight loss surgery is that they don't really need it and if they had enough willpower, they could just diet and exercise on their own. What we know is that obesity is a disease and in fact, most patients who end up having weight loss surgery have been able to lose weight with dieting and exercising over their lifetimes. The problem is, they always regain the weight, and they get into the cycle called yo-yo dieting, whereas with weight loss surgery patients typically lose their weight and keep the weight off permanently. I'm Dr. Brian Chin, thanks for listening.

Question 9

Is weight loss surgery safe?

Accepted Answer

Weight loss surgery has become very safe over the past 20 years, particularly with the advancements in minimally invasive surgical techniques. The risk of complications today, after weight loss surgery is very low, and the risk of death is almost unheard of today. I'm Dr. Brian Chin, thanks for listening.

Question 10

How old or young can you have weight loss surgery?

Accepted Answer

As an adult surgeon, I typically treat patients who are 18 years or older. Although some patients younger than 18 can have weight loss surgery at specialized centers. In terms of an upper age limit, there's no strict cut-off. It's more about learning about the individual patient and seeing whether they are individually a good candidate for surgery based on their special circumstances. I'm Dr. Brian Chin, thanks for listening.

Question 11

What is the recovery time after weight loss surgery?

Accepted Answer

With advancements in minimally invasive surgical techniques over the past 20 years, weight loss surgery has become very safe, with the minimum of pain and quick recovery times after surgery. For patients who have office-type jobs, they generally take no more than 1 to 2 weeks off from work, while patients who are physically demanding jobs will sometimes take a little longer like 4 to 6 weeks off after surgery. I'm Dr. Brian Chin, thanks for listening.

Question 12

How do you keep the weight off after weight loss surgery?

Accepted Answer

One of the most important things we teach patients about weight loss surgery is that surgery is not a cure for obesity, but is a tool to help patients achieve and sustain long term weight loss. In that regard, patients who eat healthily and exercise regularly after weight loss surgery have no trouble keeping their weight off longterm. I'm Dr. Brian Chin, thanks for listening.

Question 13

What do I suggest for someone thinking about weight loss surgery?

Accepted Answer

First and foremost, I recommend patients learn as much as they can about the disease of obesity and about the different treatment options. What we do know from multiple research studies is that surgery offers the most effective means of achieving weight loss and sustaining that weight loss long term, especially compared with simple diet or medications. I'm Dr Brian Chin, thanks for listening.

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