According to a report from America’s Health Rankings, nearly 38% of adults in Indiana are considered obese. Even more concerning is that we’ve been consistently above the national average since 1990. With the negative impact being overweight has on overall health, it’s no surprise that one of the biggest challenges our state faces is a high premature death rate.
Weight loss surgery, or bariatric surgery, helps treat obesity through minimally invasive procedures like gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy. It’s recommended for those with a high BMI or obesity-related health issues when other methods fail. Surgery offers more lasting results than medications but requires preparation and insurance review for coverage. Evansville Surgical Associates works with you to ensure that you have the best surgical weight loss experience possible.
What Is Weight Loss Surgery?
Also known as bariatric surgery, weight loss surgery is medically proven to help treat obesity. There are different types of procedures available, and doctors make suggestions based on patient medical records and current health conditions. Medical professionals weigh the pros and cons of each procedure to find the one that best helps to meet long-term goals.
At Evansville Surgical Associates, we prioritize minimally invasive techniques for better patient outcomes. In the case of bariatric surgery, we focus on gastric bypass and lap banding procedures. Minimally invasive surgery utilizes smaller incisions that allow for faster healing time, less pain, and much shorter hospital stays than open surgery methods.
Gastric bypass surgery is possibly the most well-known form of weight loss surgery in the United States. Also known as Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, it involves bypassing about 4 feet of your intestine and rerouting it to an egg-sized pouch made in the stomach. This limits the amount of food that you can eat, helping you to lose weight.
Lap sleeve surgery works differently but has the same results. In this case, your surgeon will create a gastric sleeve by stapling, dividing, and removing a portion of the stomach and connecting it to the intestine. The new “sleeve” reduces the amount of food the stomach can hold as well as the production of ghrelin, which is the chemical that makes you feel hungry.
When Does Bariatric Surgery Become Medically Necessary?
Bariatric surgery becomes medically necessary when you run the risk of developing life-threatening health problems due to your weight. The biggest indicator for these health problems is your body mass index (BMI). As your BMI increases, so does your risk of developing health conditions due to your weight.
Your BMI is the key barometer for measuring your weight-related health risk. According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), a BMI of 25 – 29.9 means that you’re overweight and a BMI of 30+ means that you’re obese. Being 100 or more pounds overweight indicates that you’re morbidly obese (a BMI of 40+).
A high BMI increases your risk of weight-related medical conditions such as:
- Type 2 diabetes
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease/stroke
- High cholesterol
Bariatric surgery becomes a medical necessity when other forms of weight management haven’t succeeded. You may have struggled to lose weight through diet and exercise, or maybe you attempted a series of different weight-loss programs. Where diet and exercise programs fail, surgical procedures such as lap band and gastric bypass surgery can pick up the slack.
Are Weight Loss Procedures Preferable to Weight Loss Drugs?
Weight loss surgery is generally preferable to weight loss drugs such as Ozempic for individuals with severe obesity and related health conditions. Bariatric surgery leads to significantly greater and more sustained weight loss, which is typically 25–35% of total body weight. Compare that to the 5–15% often seen with GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic or Wegovy.
Surgery is especially recommended for those with a high body mass index, usually 40 or above. It’s also better if you have a BMI of 35 or above with serious obesity-related health problems like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, or sleep apnea.
Additionally, bariatric surgery offers more durable results, with many patients maintaining substantial long-term weight loss for years or even decades. With medications like Ozempic, weight regain is common when patients stop taking them. Surgery also improves obesity-related health issues more comprehensively.
Keep in mind that bariatric surgery is a major procedure with greater risks and a longer recovery period. For this reason, it’s generally reserved for those who have not achieved sufficient results with lifestyle changes and medications.
Do You Have To Lose Weight Before Your Procedure?
Many people are required to lose some weight before undergoing a bariatric procedure. Surgeons often ask patients to lose a certain amount, such as 10% of their body weight or sometimes just 15–20 pounds. This helps to reduce surgical risk and helps shrink the liver, making the operation safer and easier to perform.
This pre-surgery weight loss can also:
- Decrease the risk of complications
- Speed up healing
- Improve overall outcomes
Additionally, insurance companies commonly require a period of medically supervised weight management (typically 3–6 months) before approving surgery. Be sure to ask your bariatric surgeon about what to expect before, during, and after surgery for the most successful procedure possible.
Paying for Your Surgery
Over the years, employers and insurance companies have increasingly covered bariatric surgery. They have recognized that helping people maintain a healthy weight creates happier employees as well as healthier policyholders. This is great news for people struggling to avoid risk factors that can lead to other serious health issues.
However, it’s important to remember that no two policies are the same. Talk to your insurance carrier if you’re interested in treatment to establish what your out-of-pocket costs will be. Knowing what’s covered under your insurance plan is a critical step for the procedure.
Being overweight can often be treated with diet and exercise. However, sometimes you may need extra help to get down to a healthy BMI. Our team of bariatric specialists can determine if you qualify for bariatric surgery and find the best minimally invasive solution to meet your goals. Talk to your insurer or contact us about financing your treatment.
What To Expect During the Weight Loss Journey
Before weight loss surgery, patients undergo a thorough evaluation to confirm eligibility and readiness for major lifestyle changes. This includes demonstrating unsuccessful non-surgical weight loss attempts.
Once accepted, the pre-surgery phase lasts 6–12 months and involves:
- Medical evaluations
- Dietary counseling
- Psychological assessments
- Meeting insurance requirements
As the surgery date approaches, we’ll discuss procedure options with you, as well as review risks, benefits, and expected recovery.
Most procedures are performed laparoscopically, using small incisions for a quicker recovery. This typically takes 1–3 hours. After surgery, you’ll follow a strict diet progression from liquids to soft foods and eventually solids.
You’ll also receive ongoing support from your surgical and nutritional team. Long-term follow-up, including regular check-ups and lifestyle adjustments, is vital for lasting success and health.
What Is the Regret Rate for Bariatric Surgery?
While some people do regret getting weight loss surgery, overall, the majority are satisfied with their decisions. Regret is most common among those who experience:
- Insufficient weight loss
- Complications
- Unexpected side effects
These side effects can include changes in taste, hair loss, or altered relationships with food.
Psychological factors, including unrealistic expectations, body image issues, or ongoing struggles with self-esteem, can also contribute to regret. However, studies show that most patients do not regret their bariatric surgery, especially if they achieve significant weight loss and improved quality of life.
Support and realistic expectations can help minimize regret after weight loss surgery.
Treating Obesity in Evansville, Indiana
Evansville Surgical Associates is the best choice for weight loss surgery in Evansville, IN, thanks to our board-certified surgeons. With specialized bariatric training and extensive experience in advanced procedures, they provide minimally invasive procedures such as laparoscopic gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy.
Our team provides a comprehensive, personalized approach, carefully evaluating your unique needs, health history, and lifestyle to recommend the best surgical option. With a focus on patient safety, comfort, and rapid recovery, Evansville Surgical Associates ensures high-quality care and ongoing support for long-term success.
Are you ready to take the next step in your weight loss journey? Call us today at (812) 424-8231 or (800) 264-8231 to schedule your appointment!
Weight loss surgery, or bariatric surgery, is a proven treatment for obesity, with procedures like gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy offering significant, lasting results. Evansville Surgical Associates specializes in minimally invasive options, supporting you through personalized care and advanced techniques. Our expert team helps you achieve your health goals with safety, comfort, and ongoing support. Let them guide your journey to better health.
Evansville Surgical Associates has been providing comprehensive and compassionate surgical care for over 50 years. Call us at (812) 424-8231 or (800) 264-8231 to contact us or schedule an appointment. We are available from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central Time.
