From Resolutions to Results: Why Weight Loss Surgery Might Be Right for You This Year
Losing weight is one of the most common New Year’s resolutions people make every year. Unfortunately, it’s also one that people struggle to keep. Why? Losing weight and keeping it off can be challenging. Studies show that 95% of people who lose weight with a calorie-restricting diet regain all their lost weight within two years.
For some, not losing those extra pounds may mean simply struggling to fit into their old jeans. Unfortunately, for the two-thirds of Americans who are overweight or obese, failing a diet can mean much more than sticking their jeans back in the closet. It means living with chronic health issues such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol, and osteoarthritis.
This year, consider making your resolution a reality with weight loss surgery.
With offices in Dallas and McKinney, Texas, fellowship-trained bariatric surgeon Michael Sutker, MD, can help you determine if bariatric surgery can help you reach your weight loss goals and improve your health. Here’s when surgery may be the right weight loss strategy for you.
Your BMI is above 35
Your body mass index (BMI) assesses your amount of body fat based on your height and weight and is often used to identify specific health risks. Dr. Sutker is likely to recommend bariatric surgery if your BMI is 40 or higher, which is considered extreme obesity.
A BMI between 35 and 39 is considered obese, and means you’re eligible for weight loss surgery if you have weight-related health issues like type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure.
Depending on any existing weight-related health issues, you may also be eligible for bariatric surgery if your BMI is between 30 and 34, which is considered overweight.
You’ve tried and failed with many diets
Some people can achieve a healthy weight through diet and exercise, but many others simply can’t. While people often attribute the inability to stick to a diet, lose weight, or maintain lost weight to a lack of willpower or laziness, there are many complex reasons why people remain overweight, despite their best intentions.
Genetics, socioeconomic status, mental health issues, and certain medications can affect your ability to lose weight and keep it off. So, if you’ve tried diet and after diet and have failed to lose weight, weight loss surgery may be the best next step.
You’re ready to commit to a healthy lifestyle
Surgery alone can’t help you achieve long-term weight loss. Instead, it’s a tool to help you achieve success, along with healthy lifestyle choices. Even if diet and exercise plans have failed in the past, weight loss surgery is an effective tool to make those healthy living choices work for you.
You’re ready to lose a large amount of weight
The majority of people who undergo bariatric surgery lose about 50% of their excess body weight — and keep it off long-term. Studies show that a whopping 90% of people who have weight loss surgery successfully maintain that loss.
Some procedures result in a 70% loss of excess body weight. But the key to keeping it off is maintaining healthy lifestyle choices that include regular exercise and healthy eating.
Are you ready to make big changes to your weight and your health in 2025? We can help. Call your nearest Michael Sutker, MD, PA, office in Dallas or McKinney, Texas, today, or click online to request an appointment at your convenience.