Requirements for gastric sleeve surgery: how do you know if you are a candidate for this operation?

Are you thinking of undergoing a facelift surgery? gastric sleeve and you are interested in knowing what requirements you must meet to be a candidate? Like any bariatric surgery, this procedure is only suitable for you if you meet the requirements, so it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with them.

Therefore, in this post we tell you what you need to be a candidate for gastric sleeve surgery.

You may be interested in: Pros and cons of the gastric sleeve

What is the weight you should be to be a candidate for a gastric sleeve?

To undergo gastric sleeve surgery, you should be 20 kilos or more overweight.. That is, more than 20 kilos above your ideal weight. In general, this bariatric surgery is not recommended for people who are only slightly overweight, since, in many cases, they could address their problems with less drastic methods than a gastric sleeve, such as a gastric balloon.

Main requirements for gastric sleeve surgery

In order to undergo gastric sleeve surgery, you should meet the following requirements:

• Having a BMI (body mass index) greater than 40
• Have a BMI between 30 and 35, only if you suffer from cardiovascular disease or other diseases related to overweight.
• Being 20 kilos or more overweight
• Do not suffer or have suffered from esophageal diseases.
• Not to be addicted to alcohol or narcotic drugs
• You cannot have hiatal hernia
• You must not have undergone bariatric surgeries prior to the gastric sleeve.

If you meet the requirements for a gastric sleeve, it is quite likely that the procedure is right for you, but keep in mind that you should always seek advice from your bariatric to ensure that you opt for the best procedure in your case.

Psychological requirements for gastric sleeve surgery

Beyond the physical requirements, you must also meet certain psychological requirements to be a candidate for a gastric sleeve:

You cannot have serious psychiatric problems.

Overweight problems may be associated with a psychological disorder, both moderate and severe.

In that sense, for a gastric sleeve to be effective and safe, it must be performed in a more or less stable state of mind, since the operation itself implies a notable effort at a personal level. 

Therefore, your bariatric surgeon must examine your psychological situation and define whether or not the procedure is right for you.

In addition to that, in case you undergo surgery, it will also be essential that you receive psychological assistance to cope with the changes you will go through in your life as a result of the weight loss.

You must be highly motivated

Undergoing a gastric sleeve requires great efforts on your part and many changes in your life, so mentally and emotionally you must have the willingness and motivation to assume all that this bariatric surgery implies.

Only with the right motivation, you will be able to stick to your bariatrician's recommendations and be able to make the necessary sacrifices to regain your health and maintain your well-being.

You must be willing to change your eating habits

Eating habits are one of the facets of your life that you will have to modify if you have a gastric sleeve. 

Keep in mind that the risk of regaining weight after gastric sleeve surgery is present, and you will increase the likelihood of this occurring if you do not change your eating habits. 

What you eat is decisive in weight loss, so it is imperative that you stick to a diet after gastric sleeve surgerypreferably the one defined by your bariatric surgeon.

You will need an environment that supports you with the changes.

Although it is not absolutely essential to have family and friends to support you after having a gastric sleeve, this can help you achieve better results and face each change with more confidence.

Not only can they make your recovery easier, helping you on days when you can't do much physical exertion, but they can also help you stay strong as you transition to healthier habits, such as a more balanced diet or daily exercise.

A helping hand always comes in handy, and in this case, it is especially true.

Now that you know what requirements you must meet to be a candidate for a gastric sleeve, you can get a clearer idea of whether this is the procedure for you, or if you would be better off with another one, such as the gastric bypassthe SADI-S surgery or the gastric balloon. 

In any case, remember that your bariatric surgeon can advise you on what is best for you, and don't forget to get information about the price of a gastric sleeveThis will allow you to know if the procedure also fits your budget.