Is Bariatric Surgery Right For You?

Is weight loss surgery right for you? GLSA, located in Mid-Michigan, can help. We have performed over 2,000 successful weight loss surgeries at the Gratiot Bariatric Treatment Center, to help people overcome Obesity.

In general, Bariatric surgery is for:

  • Patients with a BMI over 40, or
  • Patients with a BMI of 35 or greater along with significant weight-related medical problems such as diabetes, heart disease, or severe sleep apnea.

Other Factors:

  • Have had only short-term success with your previous serious attempts to lose weight;
  • Have a primary physician who is willing to work with you and your surgeon;
  • Be willing to make needed changes in eating habits. You need to want to change to lose weight;
  • Be prepared to make substantial changes in your eating habits and lifestyle.

Avoid this surgery if:

  • Have other medical problems that would make surgery too risky.
  • Smoke at all. Bariatric surgery cannot be done until you are smoke free.  Our surgeons require their patients to be smoke free, including medical marijuana, for 2 months prior to surgery.
  • Have any other untreated disease that may have caused your obesity;
  • Be actively abusing drugs or alcohol.

Surgery May not be right for you if:

  • You have an inflammatory disease or condition of the gastrointestinal tract, such as ulcers, severe esophagitis, or Crohn’s disease.
  • You are pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant in the near future. Pregnancy is possible and safe after both gastric bypass, gastric banding, and sleeve gastrectomy, but should be delayed until weight loss has stabilized. This is typically at least 2 years.
  • You cannot or do not want to follow the dietary rules that come with this procedure.