Who Are Candidates for Gastric Bypass Surgery?
Gastric bypass surgery is most effective for certain groups of people, which is why board certified general surgeon Dr. Matthew St. Laurent screens all his Houston-area patients carefully. An initial consultation will provide you with all the information you need to determine whether or not this surgery is right for you.
Evaluating Your Candidacy
During your initial consultation, Dr. St. Laurent will screen you for factors that will determine how well you might respond to gastric bypass surgery. Body mass index is one of the factors:
- Body mass index of 40 or greater or
- Body mass index between 35 and 39.9 with underlying health conditions related to obesity
Gastric bypass surgery is a major procedure that should not be performed on someone who merely needs to shed a few extra pounds. Instead, it is designed to help obese patients who have struggled with diet and exercise over the years reach their target weight.
Other Considerations
Dr. St. Laurent will obtain a full medical history to ensure you have no underlying conditions that might cause complications. These conditions may include the following:
- Digestive disorders
- Hemophilia, a bleeding disorder that makes it difficult to clot blood
- Blood clots in the arteries
- Previous allergic reactions to anesthesia
He will also want to know what medications you are taking so he can assess the risk of these drugs interacting with anesthesia. If you are taking such medications, you will be advised to stop taking them for a period of time leading up to your surgery.
Finally, Dr. St. Laurent will determine your level of commitment to a healthy lifestyle after surgery. Unless you are willing to modify your eating habits, your stomach may subsequently stretch, which could lead to excessive weight gain once again.
To read our procedure guide, click here.
Patients who undergo gastric bypass surgery can enjoy tremendous benefits. Find out how it could change your life by contacting Dr. Matthew St. Laurent’s Houston clinic at 281-301-1404 to schedule a consultation.
