Who benefits from this surgery?
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It is essential prior to any surgery that all other options, other than surgery, have been explored. For example, these options may include:
- Diet therapy
- Prescribed medical therapy via your GP or Bariatric physician
- Exercise and Nutritional therapy
- Psychological and medical therapy
For those who have found such interventions unsuccessful, surgery may be considered as an option. It is important to remember that gastric band placement and all that is involved is not a ‘minor intervention’.
Criteria / suitability
Health Systems in many countries have published clear guidance regarding the suitability for those considering weight loss surgery in the management of morbid and super obesity.
You may find guidance related to your place of residence on the web for example: UK National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE)
NB: It is always advisable to seek medical advice in the country where you live to have this clarified.
As a general guide it is likely that the following points may considered by an experienced multi disciplinary weight loss team prior to proceeding for MIDBAND placement.
- Have you tried all other appropriate non surgical treatments to lose weight but been unable to maintain weight loss?
- Are you well enough to have an anaesthetic and surgery?
- Have you any diseases or disorders that are known to improve following weight loss – for example Type 2 diabetes.
- Have you received treatment for your obesity via your GP or a specialist weight loss team?
- Does your Body Mass Index (BMI) indicate that you are morbidly or super obese?
- Have you had a consultation with an endocrinologist/ physician to discount any underlying endocrine disorders that may contribute to your obesity?
- Are you willing to accept and work with significant behavioural changes following surgery?
- Have you a drug or alcohol dependency?
- Have you any history of anorexia?
- Do you fully understand the procedure and need for long term follow up care?
In exploring this avenue it is essential to realise that each country may have their own clinical guidance that is required to be followed by bariatric teams.
It is recommended to seek local medical advice relating to the criteria relevant to you.
For examples, these may, or may not include:
- Clear age related guidance. For example, only acceptable for surgery if between the ages of 18yrs and 60yrs.
- Some may consider surgery appropriate as a first line treatment for example if BMI is 50+
- Any previous treatments within the last 12 months must have failed.
- History of Morbid obesity for more than 5 years
- Body Mass Index (BMI) is between 35 and 40 kg/m2 . Individuals who fall into this BMI category and who have 2 or more medical conditions (co-morbidities) that are known to improve with weight loss may also be considered for surgical intervention. This may include those whose co-morbidities are beginning to seriously impede their independence or life expectancy and which could improve if they lost weight.
