FAQs
Do I Qualify for Bariatric Surgery?
To be eligible for bariatric surgery you must:
- Be age 18 or older for adults. Please view adolescent weight loss surgery options here.
- Have a BMI of 40kg/m2 or greater without weight-related medical problems OR have a BMI of 35kg/m2 or greater with at least one serious weight-related medical problem
- Have tried unsuccessfully to lose weight via supervised diet and lifestyle modification
- While we do not accept Medicaid plans, we prioritize your convenience by offering both self-pay options and third-party payment plans.
Beyond these criteria, we will consider your age, medical history and behavioral and psychological readiness. You must be ready to change the way you relate to food, nutrition and physical activity for the rest of your life. This will involve changes in your usual routines, and since these often involve other people, it is a good idea to enlist the support of your family and friends. If you are a woman of childbearing age, you should also agree not to become pregnant for at least 12-18 months after the surgery.
Check your insurance coverage — Insurance plans differ in their requirements for coverage of bariatric surgery. In addition to being medically fit for surgery, you will probably need documentation that you have tried other weight loss methods, are mentally healthy and able to understand what is involved and are free of drug and alcohol dependencies
Self-pay and third party financing options are available.
Please let your team at the WLWC know your needs.
As with any surgical procedure, bariatric and metabolic surgery, whether performed as an open procedure or a minimally invasive procedure, may present risks such as adverse reactions to medication, problems with anesthesia, excessive bleeding, breathing problems, blood clots, infection or inadvertent injury to nearby organs. The risk for serious complications depends on the type of surgery, your medical condition and your age, as well as the surgeon’s and anesthesiologist’s experience.
You will most likely remain in the hospital for the first day or two following surgery, where you will consume a clear liquid diet and will be monitored for any immediate complications. Upon discharge you will be given strict dietary instructions. About 10 to 14 days after surgery, you will be allowed to add soft or puréed protein sources to your liquid diet and will then gradually build up to a solid food diet at 5 to 6 weeks post-surgery. As you begin to lose weight and gain strength, members of your team will help you take the next steps to full health and recovery. They may refer you to support groups or exercise facilities in your community. Studies have shown that patients who have frequent, face-to-face contact with their healthcare team are most successful in achieving and maintaining their goals.
Yes, we will provide you with a network of in person and online resources to help you navigate through this very important but challenging journey.
This includes:
- Dietitian support – to learn about healthy foods and how to make practical, sustainable changes.
- Support Groups – to help you improve your relationship with your mind, body and food.
Obesity and High Blood Pressure
Being obese puts you at risk of having serious health issues, including high blood pressure or hypertension. Having high blood pressure raises your risk of having heart problems and other severe health problems. When you are obese, your body needs to circulate more blood through your arteries and blood vessels. This puts additional pressure on the walls of these structures, which can lead to high blood pressure.
Having excess weight can cause your blood pressure to increase. Since there is more blood flowing through your blood vessels and arteries, you can expect there to be more pressure inside them.
Obesity does not cause hypertension, although it can contribute to it. Other factors can increase your risk of high blood pressure, such as kidney problems, thyroid conditions, obstructive sleep apnea, and a family history of hypertension. Other risk factors include having an inactive lifestyle, eating a diet with a lot of salt and being a smoker.
Losing weight can help you lower your blood pressure. When you lose excess weight, this takes the additional pressure off of your blood vessel and arterial walls. Losing weight also helps lower your risk of other health conditions that are associated with high blood pressure.
Obesity can cause a high amount of fat to accumulate in your abdominal area. While you can also gain weight in other parts of your body, having too much in your abdominal area or stomach is associated with a higher risk of health issues, including high blood pressure.
When you are obese, you can develop serious health conditions. In addition to hypertension, other health issues that can occur include heart disease and diabetes. Keep in mind that high blood pressure that is left untreated can put you at a higher risk of having serious health problems.
If you do not lose weight or don’t maintain a healthy weight overall, you can face a higher risk of heart attacks, stroke, and other potentially life-threatening conditions. Dementia and other cognitive difficulties are also linked to obesity and high blood pressure.
You can reverse some health effects that are linked to obesity. When you lose weight, you have a better chance of maintaining healthy blood pressure levels. This can help lower your risk of getting heart disease or other health problems associated with hypertension and obesity.
If you are struggling to lose weight, visit the Weight Loss and Wellness Center in New Jersey for help overcoming your weight problems. Our mission is to empower and educate our patients through personalized support and state-of-the-art treatment options so you can regain control of your life and health. Call our office at 973-795-7955 or click here to schedule a consultation at one of our several locations.
