Body image consumes a large portion of our minds on a daily basis. In fact, over 79% of people have had negative body image thoughts throughout their lives. We’ve all been there, asking questions that imply we’re just not happy with the way we look. Whether you’ve struggled with weight your entire life, have developed a condition that prohibits weight loss, or simply let your health goals fall by the wayside, we have a solution. With weight loss surgery from BMI in Birmingham, AL, there’s no longer a need to feel insecure in your body.
At our specialized weight loss practice, we focus on taking care of patients who are obese, encouraging a healthier, empowered lifestyle. If you’ve been searching for an effective way to lose weight and improve your overall well-being, look no further than weight loss surgery. Take a look at the details below to determine if you’re a proper candidate for bariatric surgery today.
Obesity vs. Morbid Obesity
According to the Obesity Medicine Association, obesity is a chronic disease that affects over 14.7 million Americans. Characterized by an excess accumulation of body fat, obesity poses a significant risk to an individual’s health. In addition to affecting your physical appearance, obesity can cause cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, and musculoskeletal disorders.
On the other side of the spectrum, morbid obesity is typically defined as being 100 lbs or more over your suggested body weight or having a BMI above 40 or between 35 and 40 with other medical problems. Morbid obesity poses a more considerable threat to your health, increasing the risk of significant physical disability or even death.
Calculate Your Body Mass Index (BMI)
The most common way to determine whether or not you’re sitting at a healthy weight is with the Body Mass Index (BMI), which calculates your weight in relation to your height. At BMI Surgery, we offer a BMI calculator to help take the guesswork out of the process. Simply enter your height and current weight, and our calculator will determine where your BMI stands.
It’s important to note that BMI is not a diagnostic tool. Whether a person has a high BMI or low BMI, an individual’s personal measurement should be left to a reputable doctor to determine if excess weight is a health risk.
Requirements For Weight Loss Surgery
Weight loss surgery is a serious medical procedure that demands careful consideration. Although facing challenges with weight loss is a difficult situation, it’s important to recognize that not everyone dealing with weight issues is automatically suitable for bariatric surgery. Here are a few of the requirements for weight loss surgery at Birmingham Minimally Invasive.
Medical Eligibility
To qualify for weight loss surgery, your BMI must be greater than 30. Typically, those who suffer from a high BMI are accompanied by obesity-related health concerns. These can include high blood pressure, shortness of breath, back and joint pain, and more. Our team will perform routine tests to determine if your BMI level is at the threshold for bariatric surgery.
Lifestyle Qualifications
Weight loss surgery requires a commitment to making significant changes before and after the procedure. This commitment includes a willingness to exercise routinely and adopt healthier eating habits. If you refuse to make changes to your lifestyle to maintain your weight loss results, our doctors reserve the right to refuse surgery. Additionally, if you’ve been diagnosed with debilitating conditions that prevent you from making healthy choices, bariatric surgery may not be recommended.
Psychological Preparedness
Losing a significant amount of weight can take its toll on your mental well-being. While most experience a positive outlook on life, bariatric surgery does require a specific emotional dedication. The team at BMI Surgery may have you undergo a psychological evaluation to determine if you’re prepared for this type of procedure.
Age Restrictions
Bariatric surgery of any kind is considered safe for adults over 18. Performing weight loss surgery on individuals younger than 18 years of age will require additional requirements that our professionals will be happy to discuss with you.
Weight Loss Surgery Options Available at BMI Surgery
If you’ve tried losing weight on your own through diet and exercise but have had little to no success, weight loss surgery may be the right option for you. At BMI Surgery in Birmingham, AL, we offer a variety of bariatric surgery options to suit your needs. This surgical procedure assists in decreasing the capacity of the stomach to reduce food intake, as well as changing the hormones of hunger to alter the desire to eat.
Choose from four different weight loss surgeries to enhance your self-esteem and live a healthier, longer life.
Whichever weight loss surgery you choose, the professionals at BMI Surgery will guide you through each step from beginning to end. We’re here to make your weight loss goals tangible and with our innovative and effective bariatric surgeries, they can be.
Lose Weight Safely & Effectively Today
As professionals specializing in bariatric and revisional surgeries, BMI is here to help you understand your options to correct weight gain. Don’t let your body weight be the reason you stop living life to the fullest. Instead, schedule a consultation with our team or call us at (205) 858-1211 today to discuss which bariatric surgery is right for you.
