How do you know if you are ready for WLS?

Deciding to have weight loss surgery is a huge decision. For some people, it is easy to determine when the appropriate time is to have the procedure, but for others, it can be pretty challenging to know when they should make a move. There are so many things that go into the decision to have bariatric surgery. It is essential to look at all of these factors before deciding whether or not surgery is right for you. I do not recommend just quickly jumping to surgery. You do not want to make an impulse decision and then be unhappy about it. Instead, it is essential to consider your overall health, the timing of when you can focus on your new lifestyle, and your history of trying to lose weight. When you look at all of these together, you will better understand your overall situation to determine what is best for you.

One of the main deciding factors for me personally was reflecting on my failed attempts to get healthy without surgery. I think this is a very important thing to consider. We often get caught up in yoyo dieting, and I feel like the past predicts the future. If you feel like you are constantly trying new diets and not sticking to them, it might be time to consider another option. Throughout the years before my bariatric procedure, I went up and down on the scale to a whole new level. I would start recent lifestyle changes but could never follow through. It was an exhausting battle because I felt so hopeful initially, but then I would lose hope and be devastated when I started to gain my weight back. For many people, this is the first thing that happens for them even to consider surgery.

Another critical component that needs to be considered is your overall health. If you are getting to the point where you are being diagnosed with more weight-related conditions, it is time to act. For example, I was diagnosed with something called Pseudotumor Cerebri, which is a condition that is weight-related and causes there to be too much spinal fluid in the brain. It creates too much pressure pushing against your optic nerves, which can cause you to go blind and have many other health issues. I would have eventually had to have a shunt put in if I did not lose weight. After six short months, I am proud to say that I went into remission and came off my medications for this condition. Many people considering this surgery have issues such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes. When you are thinking about whether or not surgery is right for you, honestly evaluate your health and how quickly you need to act to make healthy changes in your life.

Lastly, it is crucial to consider the timing of when you have the surgery. It is a huge lifestyle change, and you need to be in the right mindset to focus on your journey. I do not recommend jumping right to surgery without properly doing your research and feeling confident with your decision. Most insurance companies require you to be on a 6-month diet before the procedure to ensure readiness. I think this is an important piece of the journey because it allows you to prepare and select the appropriate time when you have the procedure.

It is important to remember that it takes time to make this decision. Do not just jump to it without properly considering everything and making the best decision for yourself. Try not to have other people influence your decision and focus on all the different components before scheduling surgery. You will know when the time is right and when you are ready for this step. It is a feeling you get and something I remember very well. You do not want to be in a place where you regret your decision, so take the time to reflect and do your research honestly. Meet with surgeons, get second opinions, and look at your situation as a whole before going forward. In the end, you know yourself best and when you should take this leap of faith towards a new lifestyle.