Do You Qualify for Gastric Sleeve Surgery?
Gastric sleeve surgery is a game-changer, and its benefits go far beyond being able to fit into a favorite pair of old jeans. You can lose as much as 60% of your excess weight six months after your surgery; these results mean chronic diseases such as Type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea and high blood pressure can go into remission.
Now, the only question is, who qualifies for gastric sleeve surgery?
We’re thrilled that we’ve received several recognitions for clinical excellence for our weight loss surgical services. But more than accolades, we consider it an honor to walk with you step-by-step through this life-transforming journey. We’ll answer your questions about who qualifies for gastric sleeve surgery, what happens during the procedure, and how you can get started.
Who Qualifies for Gastric Sleeve Surgery?
We know you’re ready to start toward a healthier life, and there are times when diet and exercise simply are not effective enough to help you reach your goals. We’ll work closely with you to see if you qualify. While we evaluate everyone on a case-by-case basis, you can be one of those who qualify for gastric sleeve surgery if:
- Your body mass index (BMI) is 40 or higher
- You have a BMI of 35 to 39.9 in addition to a weight-related health problem. These health problems can include:
- Type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Severe sleep apnea
- In special cases, you may qualify for surgery if your BMI is 30 to 34 and you have a serious health condition caused by your weight
- You’ll need to keep all pre-surgical appointments and evaluations.
- You also have to be willing to make extensive changes in your lifestyle–this includes dramatically changing the portions of what you eat because your stomach will be much smaller.
- You’ll keep follow-up appointments with your healthcare team
As you can see, your BMI is a key factor in determining who qualifies for gastric sleeve surgery. Not sure of your BMI? You can use this convenient BMI calculator.
How Does a Sleeve Gastrectomy Work?
During this procedure, our weight loss surgeon will remove 75 to 80% of your stomach, creating a “sleeve” that makes your stomach about the size and shape of a banana. As a result, your stomach holds less food and you’ll feel satisfied sooner.
We’re able to perform this surgery laparoscopically. This means we won’t have to make a large incision. Instead, we utilize small instruments that access your stomach through small incisions in your abdomen. Not only does this minimize scarring, but it means a faster recovery with less pain.
Is Gastric Sleeve Surgery Safe?
Granted, every surgery has risks. However, gastric sleeve surgery is widely recognized as a procedure that is both safe and effective.
How Much Weight Is Lost After Gastric Sleeve Surgery?
As we mentioned earlier, it’s possible to lose up to 60% of your excess body weight. However, the average weight loss is generally 25% to 30% over the first two years. While it’s possible to regain some weight, overall this 30% weight loss remains consistent.
To keep from gaining weight, you need to follow our team’s recommendations on diet and exercise to help you get the most from your surgery.
Get Results From Our Nationally-Recognized Weight Loss Surgery Services at Conway Medical Center
We have been safeguarding the health of the Myrtle Beach and Horry County communities for a century. Through the decades, we’ve kept pace with the ever-changing environment, staying in line with medical breakthroughs and implementing state-of-the-art technology.
Our surgical weight loss services have received extensive recognition including:
- Blue Distinction Center
- MBSAQIP – The Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program
- AETNA IOQ – Designated Institute of Quality by Aetna Institutes of Quality®
We want you to have the vital medication information you need and at the same time, make it easy to start the process toward having weight loss surgery. All you have to do is watch an online weight loss seminar and complete a patient insurance coverage form.
The content within this article and others on this website is only for educational purposes and should not be considered as medical advice. For any questions or concerns, please consult with your healthcare provider.
