Diagnostics for Bariatric Surgery

Diagnostics for Bariatric Surgery – An Individual Path to Sustainable Weight Loss

What is bariatric surgery?

Bariatric surgery, also known as obesity surgery, involves surgical procedures to treat severe obesity. These surgeries, such as gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy, are designed to reduce body weight long-term and minimize health risks associated with obesity, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or joint problems.

Before considering such surgical treatment, a comprehensive diagnosis is required to ensure that the person is both medically and psychologically suitable and that the operation can be successful in the long term.

When is bariatric surgery useful?

Bariatric surgery is often considered when:

• The body mass index (BMI) is above 40 (severe obesity), or
• The BMI is over 35 and serious comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, high blood pressure or joint problems exist.
• Conservative measures such as diet, exercise and behavioral therapy do not provide lasting results.
• There is a clear willingness to make long-term changes to lifestyle and eating habits.

Why is comprehensive diagnostics necessary?

Diagnostics prior to bariatric surgery are crucial to ensuring the long-term success of the procedure. It helps consider psychological and nutritional factors and ensure the patient is well prepared. Furthermore, diagnostics can identify potential risk factors that could jeopardize the success of the surgery.

Diagnostic procedure for bariatric surgery

The diagnosis is carried out in several steps and includes both psychological and nutritional assessments. These help determine individual suitability for bariatric surgery and select the best possible treatment option.

1. Initial consultation and medical history
   During the initial consultation, we will discuss your medical history, your previous weight loss experiences, and any existing health concerns. This conversation also serves to clarify your goals and expectations and assess your readiness for long-term changes in your eating habits and lifestyle.
2. Psychological Evaluation
   A psychological assessment is an important part of the diagnostic process. It assesses the patient’s psychological stability. Key points of psychological assessment include:
   • Eating habits: This examines whether and to what extent emotional eating disorders such as binge eating or binge eating are present.
   • Motivation and behavior: The patient’s willingness to make long-term changes in diet and lifestyle is assessed, and whether he or she has the necessary motivation for the change.
   • Mental health: The mental state is evaluated to identify possible pre-existing conditions such as depression or anxiety disorders that could affect the success of treatment.
3. Nutritional and Behavioral Health Counseling
   Before bariatric surgery, it is important that you are informed about the impact of the surgery on your eating habits. During nutritional counseling, you will receive:
   • Healthy Eating Information: An introduction to post-surgery nutritional principles, such as smaller meals, eating slowly, and the importance of a balanced diet.
   • Counseling for long-term changes: You will be prepared for the changes necessary after surgery to lose and maintain weight long-term.
   • Behavioral health support: If needed, you will also receive counseling regarding your eating habits and the psychological aspects of eating so that you do not fall back into old patterns after surgery.
4. Psychosocial Assessment
   Another important step is assessing social and emotional support. Bariatric surgery can bring significant life changes, so it’s important to assess whether support is available from family, friends, or other social networks. It’s also important to determine whether psychological stress has played a role in weight gain and whether these stresses may persist after surgery.
5. Discussion of results and treatment decision
   After the diagnostics are complete, a detailed discussion of the results will take place. This will review your progress and your suitability for bariatric surgery. If you are a candidate, you will be presented with various surgical options, such as gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy, and the surgical procedure and aftercare will be explained.

What happens after the diagnosis?

After the diagnosis, an individualized treatment plan tailored to your needs will be developed. If you decide to undergo bariatric surgery, preparation for the surgery begins. The next steps include:

• Preparation for the procedure: This includes education about nutrition after surgery and learning techniques to achieve the best results after surgery.
• Follow-up care: Regular follow-up care is necessary to monitor the healing process, avoid any complications, and ensure that weight loss is successful in the long term.
• Long-term support: Even after the operation, continuous support through nutritional advice and psychological support is important to ensure long-term success.

Important: Bariatric surgery is not a quick way to lose weight, but rather a long-term lifestyle change. Success depends not only on the surgical procedure, but also on the willingness to make the necessary dietary and behavioral changes.

If you’re unsure whether bariatric surgery is right for you, or if you have questions about the diagnosis and the associated steps, I’d be happy to schedule a personal consultation. Together, we’ll find the best way to achieve your health goals.