Thinking About Weight Loss Surgery in the New Year? Here’s What to Consider
As a new year begins, many people start thinking about their health goals, and for some, that means exploring weight loss surgery. If you’ve struggled to lose weight through diet and exercise alone, bariatric surgery can be a life-changing option.
This month, board-certified general surgeon Dr. Mikhail A. Botvinov highlights everything you need to consider when thinking about weight loss surgery here at Bergen Bariatric and Surgical Solutions.
Know the bariatric surgery requirements
Bariatric surgery isn’t right for everyone. You may be a candidate if you:
- Have a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or higher
- Have a BMI of 30 with obesity-related conditions like diabetes, sleep apnea, or high blood pressure
- Have tried other weight loss methods without long-term success
- Are you ready to make lasting lifestyle changes
If you’re unsure whether you qualify, our team can evaluate your health and goals to determine the safest, most effective approach.
Even if surgery isn’t right for you, we can help you get started on your weight-loss goals with our medical weight-loss plans.
Explore all of your options
There isn’t just one weight loss surgery. Regardless of which type of surgery you choose, the premise is the same. Bariatric surgery works by:
- Reducing the amount of food your stomach can hold
- Altering how your body absorbs nutrients
- Decreasing appetite
Depending on your needs and overall health, Dr. Botvinov may recommend:
Sleeve gastrectomy
During this minimally invasive procedure, Dr. Botvinov removes up to 80% of your stomach. This leaves behind a narrow, banana-shaped pouch.
This type of weight loss surgery permanently reduces your stomach’s capacity, so you’ll feel full after eating smaller portions. This helps you lose weight without feeling deprived.
Adjustable gastric band
This is a reversible procedure that involves placing an inflatable band around the upper portion of your stomach to create a small pouch. The band limits how much food you can eat at one time and can be adjusted over time for comfort and effectiveness.
Roux-en-Y gastric bypass
During a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, Dr. Botinov creates a small stomach pouch and reroutes it to your small intestine. This not only restricts how much you can eat but also reduces calorie absorption, which can lead to significant, long-term weight loss.
Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is the second-most performed gastric surgery.
Find your “why” and commit to the recovery
Bariatric surgery is a tool for transformation, but it’s also a lifelong commitment. You’ll need to follow specific dietary guidelines, stay active, and attend regular follow-up visits.
That’s why it’s so important to find your “why.”
Maybe it’s to keep up with your kids, feel confident again, or finally break free from health issues that have held you back. Whatever your reason, your “why” becomes your motivation when things feel challenging.
Focus on the health benefits
Losing excess weight and maintaining it can reverse or reduce the severity of several chronic conditions, including:
- Type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol and dyslipidemia (abnormal lipid levels)
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Osteoarthritis in weight-bearing joints
- Infertility and menstrual irregularities
- Stress urinary incontinence
When you focus on your deeper purpose and pair it with the right medical support, you’re not just losing weight. You’re gaining energy, confidence in your body, and even a new lease on life.
Start your journey this year
If you’ve struggled to lose weight on your own, you’re not alone, and you don’t have to do it alone. At Bergen Bariatric and Surgical Solutions P.C., Dr. Botvinov combines medical expertise with compassionate, individualized care to help you achieve lasting success.
Start the new year strong. Schedule an appointment online or reach out to us at 201-731-6919.
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