If you’re looking to lose weight, there are a lot of different options available to you. Some people choose to focus simply on diet and exercise, while others pursue weight loss surgery, such as a gastric sleeve procedure. But how do you decide which path is right for you? Here, Dr. Andrei and the expert team at Bariatric Associates P.A. provide some questions to ask yourself when considering gastric surgery versus exercise to help you make an informed decision.
Do you qualify for surgery?
In order to get gastric surgery, you must first meet all health qualifications. For example, patients generally need to have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or greater. Exceptions can be made for people who have a BMI of 35+ and who have been diagnosed with an obesity-related condition, such as diabetes or hypertension.
You also have to be ready for a lifelong commitment and prepared for what life is going to be like after weight loss surgery. And in some cases, there are past and present medical conditions that may disqualify a person from being able to get gastric surgery.
Do you need to lose weight fast?
Another factor to think about is the weight loss timeline. Though diet and exercise can be extremely effective for some people, progress does tend to happen slower than it would with surgery. If you’re dealing with serious health effects or are at risk for heart attack, stroke, or cancer and could benefit from weight loss, surgery may be the way to go.
Do you have a history of failed weight loss attempts?
If you’ve tried diet and exercise before and it hasn’t worked, gastric surgery may be the next step for you. Otherwise, lifestyle changes and diet changes can be a great place to start if this is your first attempt at weight loss.
Fortunately, you don’t have to do this on your own. Dr. Andrei offers non-surgical medical weight loss management programs for both adults and adolescents. These programs are designed to help you stay motivated, make healthy food choices, and keep up with regular physical activity. Individuals who have successfully completed medical weight loss management with Dr. Andrei benefit from the following:
- Improved self-esteem and confidence
- Reduced risk for chronic health conditions
- Better health outcomes related to type 2 diabetes, blood pressure, cholesterol, and sleep apnea
How much weight do you want to lose?
Both exercise and gastric surgery have the potential to result in significant weight loss. However, if you’re only looking to lose a little bit of weight, diet and exercise might make the most sense. On the other hand, if you know you want to make major changes, gastric surgery could be most effective.
Start with a Consultation
Even if you feel that diet and exercise is the right path for you, it’s always wise to consult with your doctor to come to a sound decision. Get started by scheduling a complimentary consultation with Valeriu E. Andrei, M.D., Bariatric Associates P.A., to talk through all your options. With the help of Dr. Andrei and the team, you can feel confident you’re in good hands whether you decide to go down the route of gastric surgery or exercise. Contact us today for more information.
