Bariatric Treatment - 6 Steps to Determine Whether Surgery is an Option For You

Bariatric treatment is surfacing as a potential "miracle treatment," and not just because of substantial weight loss. Compared with obese individuals who don't have surgery, the following health impacts have been proven for weight loss surgery patients.

89% less likely to die over any 5 year period Quality of life improved in 95% of patients Asthma - 82% improved or resolved Cardiovascular disease - 82% risk reduction Depression - 55% improved or resolved Dyslipidemia hypercholesterolemia - 63% resolved Gastroesophageal reflux disease - 72 - 98% resolved Hypertension - 52 - 92% resolved Metabolic syndrome - 80% resolved Migranes - 57% resolved Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease - 90% improved steatosis; 37% resolution of inflammation; 20% resolution of fibrosis on repeat biopsy Orthopedic problems or degenerative joint disease - 41-76% resolved Polycystic ovarian syndrome - 78% resolution of hirsuitism; 100% resolution of menstrual dysfunction Pseudotumor cerebri - 96% resolved Sleep apnea - 74 - 98% resolved Stress urinary incontinence - 44 - 88% resolved Type 2 diabetes - 83% resolved Venous stasis disease - 95% resolved

STEATOSIS

But could bariatric treatment be an option for you?

If your profile makes it through the following 6 steps, weight loss surgery is worth exploring further...

Have you tried other treatments?

Without significant and numerous attempts to lose weight - including physician-supervised attempts - you are unlikely to have surgery approved by your doctors or by your insurance company.

Are you morbidly obese?

While proof is building for the effectiveness of bariatric surgery for the non-obese, currently you must have one of the following to qualify for surgery (see How to Calculate BMI to determine your score):

Body mass index of 40 or more Body mass index of 35 or more along with serious obesity-related health issues
Do your expectations match reality?

Despite some patients losing as much as 80% of their excess weight, bariatric treatment has some significant challenges associated with it. Life after weight loss surgery will be completely different and often difficult, and many changes are required for patients to be successful.

How supportive will your friends and family be?

This step is tempting to skip, but put some serious thought into it. You will need a solid support network in order to be successful, and your loved ones will need to make big changes to maximize your likelihood of achieving and maintaining your goals.

How do you plan to pay for surgery?

Surgery is not cheap, especially if your insurance doesn't cover it. Fortunately, there are ways you may be able to get weight loss surgery added to your insurance policy. And for whatever insurance doesn't cover, there are 8 solid options for financing bariatric surgery.

Does your doctor agree that surgery is a good option?

In addition to getting a referral from your primary care physician, you'll need to find and interview good bariatric doctors before receiving the green light for surgery.

Bariatric Treatment - 6 Steps to Determine Whether Surgery is an Option For You

STEATOSIS

Allergy Or a Cold? - Examining Symptoms to Determine Whether You Have an Allergy Or a Cold

Allergy and colds share many similar symptoms. So how can you tell whether the symptoms you have indicate allergy or cold? It's easier than you think. Take a minute to examine the information below which will give you a clearer understanding of allergy symptoms verses cold symptoms.

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Nasal Discharge Both allergy and colds often cause runny nose and nasal discharge in the form of mucus. Mucus resulting from a cold is usually yellow or green-colored indicating an infection usually resulting from exposure to a virus, whereas mucus from an allergy is usually clear in color and results from exposure to an allergen.

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Aches and Pains Colds are usually accompanied by achy muscles and/or a slight headache. Allergies do not usually cause either of these symptoms.

Length of Symptoms Colds can often last anywhere from 7-14 days, clear up, and are gone. Allergy symptoms can be seasonal particularly if the trigger originates from an outdoor source such as tree or grass pollen; if allergy is related to an indoor allergen such as household dust, dust mites, mold, or pet dander, it can be constant, or come and go depending on amount of exposure to the trigger.

Itching Itching in the eyes, throat, nose or mouth is almost always an indication that your body is over reacting to an allergen.

Being aware of this information is a start, but the most reliable way to determine whether symptoms indicate allergy or cold, and whether medicine is indicated is to consult a physician.

Allergy Or a Cold? - Examining Symptoms to Determine Whether You Have an Allergy Or a Cold

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