Determining Who are Good Gastric Sleeve Candidates

Gastric sleeve surgery is an effective weight loss method for a number of people. It provides the best results when patients meet certain criteria ahead of time. Board certified general surgeon Dr. Matthew St. Laurent carefully screens his Houston-area patients to ensure they are good candidates for gastric sleeve surgery so they can achieve the maximum benefits possible.

Who Can Benefit?

The ideal candidate for gastric sleeve surgery will be more than 80 pounds over his or her ideal weight or have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 35 or greater. In some circumstances, a BMI less than 35 may be considered. If you are extremely overweight, you may need to lose a few pounds before undergoing this surgery. You could also benefit if you have the following characteristics:

• You have had a problem with overeating in the past
• You find it difficult to control portion size
• You are taking medications that make you hungrier than normal
• Traditional diet and exercise programs have provided little benefit
• You have previously been a “yo-yo” dieter

Because of the health benefits associated with gastric sleeve surgery, you may also want to consider this procedure if you have any of the following health issues:

• High blood pressure
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Type 2 diabetes
• High cholesterol

Gastric sleeve surgery should not be considered a cure for these conditions; however, undergoing this procedure can help you lose weight and help control, or eliminate, several chronic medical conditions.

To achieve your desired results, you must be willing to modify your diet significantly immediately after surgery and be committed to healthy lifestyle changes long term. Those who make these commitments are often able to reach their targeted weight and keep unwanted pounds off indefinitely, in addition to improving their overall health and increasing self-esteem.

To read our procedure guide, click here.

Gastric sleeve surgery has been proven effective at helping people lose weight and keep it off long term. Find out if you could benefit by contacting Dr. Matthew St. Laurent’s Houston clinic at 281-301-1404 to schedule a consultation.