Struggling with obesity? You're in good company. Roughly 40% of American adults are obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
You're not alone, and you're not out of options. Bariatric weight loss surgery has helped people just like you who feel like they have nowhere else to turn. If you’re considering this treatment option, start by asking yourself these important questions.
1. Have diets failed you?
Diet didn’t work? It’s easy to feel like a failure — but you’re not. Obesity is a disease, and diseases need treatment. Bariatric weight loss surgery can give you the boost you need to reverse the metabolic cycle that’s making it feel impossible to lose weight.
2. Are you tired of feeling tired?
Energy sapped? If you’re obese, that’s no surprise. It takes a lot of energy to carry excess weight, and just walking to the end of the block can make you feel winded. Take the stairs? Forget about it. You may also struggle to get a good night’s sleep. After patients lose the excess weight, though, many say they’ve never felt better.
3. Are health concerns making you worry about your future?
Is obesity impacting your health? It can lead to heart issues, certain cancers, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea and diabetes, which are real concerns. The good news? Losing weight after bariatric weight loss surgery can help lower your risk of these ailments.
4. Is your world shrinking?
If your weight is getting between you and the things you love to do, it’s time to make a serious change. Lots of everyday activities become challenging when you carry excess weight, such as traveling on a plane, shopping at the mall or enjoying a day of fun at an amusement park. Bariatric weight loss surgery can help you lose the weight that is getting between you and a full life.
5. How are your family genes?
Have you watched members struggle with obesity and related health issues? If your answer is yes, that doesn’t mean that you need to experience the same fate, too. Bariatric weight loss surgery can help you take control of your weight — and your health — before your weight takes control of you.
6. Have you researched your options?
Bariatric weight loss surgery is a major commitment. Are you ready? Before you start your journey, it’s important to learn as much as you can. Once you know the details, then you can decide if it's time to take action. Doing your research first helps set you up for success — whatever you choose to do.
7. Are you up for the challenge?
Be honest with yourself. The truth is, you need to be physically and emotionally ready to undergo bariatric weight loss surgery. Support is key, too, so make sure you have a team of family and friends cheering you on each step of the way. You can do this — and the results are well worth the effort.