How to Compare Weight Loss Surgery Options

Weight loss surgery is a highly personal and life changing decision. None are without risks, though neither is being obese.

If you are morbidly obese, weight loss surgery may be the tool you've been looking for to free yourself from the emotional, mental and physical binds of obesity.

Once you have made the decision to have weight loss surgery, the next big decision is going to be which weight loss surgery you will choose.

Instructions

• 1

  Get educated. Research the various weight loss surgery options available to you. There are several different types of weight loss surgeries; lap band, gastric bypass, vertical sleeve gastrectomy, duodenal switch and others. You need to understand their differences in ways of potential complications, average weight loss percentages, success rates, cost and more. Best to take notes at this stage.

• 2

  Attend a weight loss surgery seminar. Most bariatric surgeons offer these seminars and they are free of charge. Go once, go twice... get comfortable with your choices and ask questions. Again, take notes. At this stage, you are often allowed to make an appointment with the bariatric surgeon who is hosting the seminar. This is an opportunity to get that one on one advice and guidance but do be sure and come to your appointment somewhat educated on your options and with an idea of the direction you are wishing to go and why. Your surgeon can help guide you from here.

• 3

  Talk with others who have had weight loss surgery. Just being open with people about your potential decision will undoubtedly open a flood gate of reports of people who have had weight loss surgery. If you wish to jump start this side of the process, take a tour of youtube.com and search WLS (short for weight loss surgery) or even a specific weight loss surgery option. This community is very supportive and they share a lot of their experiences in video diary form.

• 4

  Contact your insurance company to ensure that the weight loss surgery of your choosing will be covered by your plan. Your surgeon's office will be able to provide you with the surgery code that is necessary for your insurance company to look up this information for you. You will also be asked to provide your surgeon's name. If you haven't decided on a surgeon yet, give them a name of a prospective surgeon(s) so they have something to go by.

• 5

  Consider your age, life stage and the amount of excess weight you need to lose to become healthy. Things like being under 18 or if you are headed into the golden years of your life will have an impact on your weight loss surgery choice as will things like your desire to have children after surgery. None of the surgeries will prevent pregnancy but they will play a part in precautions you need to take while pregnant. Many patients have weight loss surgery so they can become pregnant and carry a baby healthily.