When we come to the end of a year, many of us naturally reflect on all that’s happened. It’s important to examine what we’ve done, how we are doing, and where we’re heading. This is especially important when it comes to our health. The years can slip by so quickly, and if you don’t take time to honestly consider where you are, you may not make the necessary changes.

For many people, weight gain happens gradually. And as the weight continues to climb, oftentimes other serious health conditions start to add up as well. Before you know it, not only do you fit into the category of “obese,” but you also have other concerning health problems.

The key to avoiding this is to catch it early, and then make a commitment to stop the weight gain and declining health as quickly as possible. Weight loss surgery at Birmingham Minimally Invasive may be the best option, and our surgeon, Dr. Jay Long, will meet with you to discuss everything you need to know.

Questions to Ask Yourself About Your Weight

Generally speaking, bariatric surgery could be an option if your body mass index (BMI) is 40 or higher (considered extreme obesity). It may also be an option if your BMI is 35 to 39.9 (considered obesity), and you have a serious weight-related health problem, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or severe sleep apnea.

But there’s much more to it than those technical definitions and categories. As we near the end of 2021, think about these questions to see if your weight and overall health are where they need to be.

Do you feel like the weight has crept up on you slowly?

It’s really common for people to feel this way, and if you don’t pay attention, it can actually happen pretty fast. This is what happened to BMI Surgery patient, June.

“Over the years, I consistently gained weight. I’d gain about 5 to 10 pounds every couple of months, and literally before I knew it, I was pushing 300 pounds. It just kind of happens before you know it,” she says.

Do you have a long list of health problems, in addition to being obese?

If the answer is yes, you are in a similar situation as our patient, Lisa who experienced gradual weight gain year after year. She also had type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, high triglycerides, high blood pressure, obstructive sleep apnea, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, unpredictable blood sugar, and she was passing out at work. 

“My cardiologist told me that my number one priority was losing weight. He said I had literally taken years off of my life by not eating healthy and exercising,” she says. Lisa had gastric bypass surgery with us and was successful in losing a significant amount of weight and changing her life.

Do you feel like you are missing out on life?

If so, you’re feeling similarly to how one patient, Tami, felt. “Before surgery, I was miserable. I was unable to do certain things with my son. I had trouble breathing. I struggled to get off the sofa and out of bed. I even had trouble tying my shoes. I couldn’t fit on a roller coaster. I couldn’t cross my legs, and I was sweating all the time,” she says. Tami changed her life with gastric sleeve surgery and is now able to enjoy life to the fullest.

Have you tried everything to lose weight, but it just doesn’t work long-term?

This was Patti’s story as well. “I was on so many diet plans and even tried diet pills. None of it helped. Nothing seemed to work for me. I would lose maybe 20 pounds, but then eventually gain it back, and after a while, I became frustrated with the whole process,” she says. But weight loss surgery did work for her, and four years later she continued to be successful by following all of Dr. Long’s advice.

Are you uncomfortable going out or being with others?

Natalie stopped wanting to go out and basically only went to work and came home. When she realized how much her weight was impacting her life in a negative way, she decided to have gastric sleeve surgery which brought her back to a happy, healthy weight.

Do you have major mobility issues?

Having a lot of excess weight can impact every part of your body, including your bones and joints. It can be especially bad on your knees, which was the case for Jessica.

“It had actually gotten to the point where I could barely walk anymore. My knee surgeon told me the only other thing that could be done was a knee replacement, but, unfortunately, insurance wouldn’t cover it because I was only 40 years old at the time,” she says. Jessica ended up finding Dr. Long, having gastric bypass surgery, and losing enough weight to improve her knees.

Contact Birmingham Minimally Invasive Surgery If You Answered “Yes” to Any of These Questions

These are important questions, but they are hard questions. You must be honest with your answers and face the situation head-on. Learning more about weight loss surgery options, such as gastric sleeve surgery, can help jumpstart your commitment to doing better and reversing course in 2022. Contact us if you are ready.

Learn more about weight loss options at Birmingham Minimally Invasive Surgery.

The caring group of professionals at Birmingham Minimally Invasive Surgery will help you get started on your weight loss journey and stay with you every step along the way. Dr. Long and his team specialize in all types of bariatric surgery, including gastric sleeve surgery, gastric bypass, and the LAP-BAND. Visit us today at http://www.bmisurgery.com/ or give us a call to set up a consultation at 205-833-6907.