Do I Qualify For Gastric Sleeve? Are you trapped in a cycle of weight loss and recovery, regardless of the diet you try? We understand. Examining weight loss (bariatric surgery) can be overwhelming, leaving you with many questions. One of these questions is: Do I qualify for a gastric sleeve?
To have the best results, you need to be armed with knowledge, dedication, and support for long-term success. The biggest benefit of weight loss surgery is that you will be healthier!
For many obese people, surgery provides the most effective long-term solution to weight loss when other methods have failed. Growing data shows that it can help reduce a person’s risk for certain serious diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, and cancer. Patients are more mobile, feel better about themselves, have less depression, and have a better family, social, and professional life.
Do I Qualify For Gastric Sleeve?
According to the guidelines issued by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, you can be a candidate if you have the following:
- You have a BMI of 40 or higher.
- You have a BMI equal to or greater than 35 and at least one comorbidity associated with obesity such as type 2 diabetes (T2DM), hypertension, sleep apnea, and other respiratory disorders, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, osteoarthritis, or lipids.
- You have not been able to maintain a healthy weight loss for a long time using other reliable methods.
What is gastric sleeve surgery and how does it promote weight loss?
Gastric sleeve is a newer procedure than gastric bypass. It is an irreversible process in which a part of your stomach is removed from the body. Studies have shown that the average person loses half of their excess weight. This means that if you are 100 kg overweight, we would expect you to lose at least 50 kg after surgery. During surgery, the stomach splits. About 80 percent is completely removed, leaving the size of your stomach about 20 percent of what it once was. There is no bowel resection.
Sleeve Gastrectomy works in two ways:
Limitation
About 80 percent of your stomach is removed during surgery, leaving you with a stomach or stomach shape. This limits the amount of food you can eat and the amount of calories consumed
Hormonal Changes
The process causes changes in the hormones that control hunger. Most patients will experience a period during which they do not feel hungry. This is an added benefit as you make the necessary changes to your diet and behavior. Hormonal changes are not permanent and after a while, the desire for hunger usually returns.
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What are the pros and cons?
Advantages of sleeve gastrectomy:
- Reduce your weight loss by an average of half.
- Changes in bowel hormones that reduce hunger and help you feel fuller faster
- Less technically complicated than gastric bypass and therefore less risk of complications after surgery and shorter operating time compared to gastric bypass
- It does not reposition the bowel
- It is generally safer if pregnancy is a future goal
- Less risk of long-term vitamin and nutritional deficiencies
Disadvantages of sleeve gastrectomy:
- This surgery can not be reversed
- Possibility of increasing gastric reflux
- Possible complications after surgery, as discussed with your surgeon
What can I expect before surgery and during recovery?
Before surgery
You will have a special diet before and after surgery. In pre-surgery classes, you will learn how your life will change after surgery and about new eating habits to make your surgery successful. You will receive exercise tips and other lifestyle changes that you should also make. You must follow these tips.
After surgery/recovery
In general, recovery time and pain levels vary from person to person. After surgery, we provide a monitoring and support team to help you stay on track. Studies show that this type of support directly affects a patient’s success. Those who are dedicated to travel and remain enthusiastic about what they achieve will succeed!
You should follow a new diet, make sure you are getting enough vitamins, and follow your doctor’s recommendations.
We want to help you not only lose weight but avoid regaining it. After the surgery is over, we would like you to come a little more often. Assuming things are going well, after about two years, we will ask you to come once a year. It is not uncommon for patients to regain at least part of their weight. That’s why we want to help you stay active to make your food healthy and maintain weight from a habit, not just an exercise at will. To help you overcome the difficult points of the trip, we can seek the help of a dietitian, exercise therapist, psychologist, or endocrinologist. If necessary, we can prescribe drugs that also increase weight loss.
What is the cost? Will the insurance cover it?
There are many variables when considering the cost of weight loss surgery. Part of the conversation is to calculate the long-term health costs for your body and your budget to ignore the problems that weight brings.
We suggest that you contact your insurance company directly to find out what coverage your insurance plan allows. If you have to pay out of pocket, we can create a payment plan that fits your budget.
How can I maintain a healthy weight after surgery?
Remember, weight loss surgery is the only tool in the life process to get and stay healthy. You need to change unhealthy habits to maintain weight. It is not the easy way out! It takes dedication, perseverance, and daily work. You need to keep learning, cultivate good habits, and celebrate your small victories. With continued support and commitment, weight maintenance can be a reality! Gastric sleeve surgery may be a great choice for you, but it is only the beginning of a journey.
I can tell you from personal experience that bariatric surgery is a great tool for weight loss. But there is nothing magical about these surgeries. Yes, problems can be solved. But when it comes to weight loss, you need to count calories. You still have to burn calories. You still have to practice. Success depends on your effort after surgery and we are here to help. Do I qualify for a gastric sleeve? Contact our clinic today to find out.
Does Medicaid Pay for Gastric Sleeve Surgery? Find Out Today!
Like many people, you may find yourself thinking, “Does Medicaid pay for gastric sleeve surgery?” Medicaid is a public health insurance program designed to provide medical coverage for individuals and families who cannot afford private health insurance. Many people wonder if Medicaid will cover the cost of gastric sleeve surgery, a weight loss procedure that involves removing a large portion of the stomach. The answer to this question depends on the state where you live and your circumstances. However, remember that not all states have the same coverage policies.
It is also important to note that even if your state does not cover the cost of gastric sleeve surgery, you may still be able to get financial assistance from other sources. There are often grants available from charitable organizations and other funding sources that can help cover the gastric sleeve surgery cost. Additionally, many surgeons offer financing plans or discounts for people who qualify for Medicaid coverage. If you are considering gastric sleeve surgery, it is important to contact your local Medicaid office to find out, “Does Medicaid pay for gastric sleeve surgery?” With proper planning and research, you may be able to get the financial assistance you need to help cover the cost of this life-changing procedure.
