If you have tried diet and exercise programs for years and have not been successful in achieving sustainable long-term weight loss, you are not alone.
Torrance Bariatric Institute has helped many patients seeking long-term weight loss solutions find a practical program that is perfect for them.
It has been well documented that beyond six months the sustainability of weight loss in patients with obesity and metabolic syndrome is less than 5%. This means that even if you lose weight with diet and exercise alone, your chances of keeping body weight down is less than 5%.
Metabolic syndrome includes symptoms including:
The syndrome increases a person’s risk for heart attacks and strokes. Aside from a large waist circumference, most of the disorders associated with metabolic syndrome have no symptoms.
At Torrance Bariatrics, we offer advanced weight loss solutions tailored for patients with a low body mass index (BMI) who experience obesity-related conditions such as sleep apnea, high blood pressure, and heart disease. For those struggling with type 2 diabetes, we also provide a Weight Loss Surgery Cure for Diabetes, which can address the root causes of insulin resistance and significantly improve metabolic health.
Our team is dedicated to helping you achieve lasting health improvements through safe, effective weight loss procedures.
Low BMI weight loss surgery is designed for patients who have a lower body mass index but still suffer from obesity-related health problems. Weight loss surgeries (metabolic surgeries) such as sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass surgery will permanently address the collective issues of metabolic syndrome, including:
According to guidelines from the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, low BMI surgery is a viable option for patients who may not meet the standard BMI thresholds but still struggle with serious concerns caused by the lack of healthy weight.
The National Institute of Health also recommends specific criteria for these patients.
Do I Qualify For
Weight Loss Surgery?
The answers to these questions depend on who you ask. To start, let’s get to know a few who’s who:
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the primary agency of the United States government responsible for biomedical and public health research.
The NIH guidelines for weight loss surgery state that bariatric surgical procedures can be considered for patients who have a BMI greater than 40 kg/m2 or a BMI greater than 35 kg/m2 with major weight-related medical problems (such as diabetes).
The problem is the guideline was issued over 30 years ago. This means that many patients are receiving outdated guidance.
You may have been told that you weren’t qualified for weight loss surgery if your insurance company didn’t support it.
Returning to definitions — an insurance company is the entity that pays for your surgery. Furthermore, insurance companies follow the guidelines of the NIH.
Meanwhile, the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) is the governing body of bariatric surgeries and bariatric surgeons in the United States. Their guidelines regarding bariatric surgery are updated very frequently based on cutting-edge research and new discoveries.
The most updated ASMBS* position statement regarding weight loss surgery for low BMI patients is as follows:
For patients with a BMI of 30 to 35 kg/m2 and obesity-related co-morbidities who do not achieve substantial, durable weight loss and co-morbidity improvement with reasonable nonsurgical methods, bariatric surgery should be offered as an option for suitable individuals. In this population, surgical intervention should be considered after failure of nonsurgical treatments. Particularly given the presence of high-quality data in patients with type 2 diabetes, bariatric and metabolic surgery should be strongly considered for patients with a BMI of 30 to 35 kg/m2 and type 2 diabetes.
At Torrance Bariatric Institute, we have developed the Fast Track Bariatric Program™ (FTBP™) that has successfully served thousands of low-BMI patients.
The program has been developed by the world-renowned surgeon, Dr. Roohipour, and has since gained traction nationally and internationally. The program has been adopted by bariatric surgeons around the world.
Discover Weight Loss Surgery
Options for Low BMI Patients
Bariatric surgery for low BMI patients can reduce risks for heart attacks, lower cholesterol levels, and manage medical conditions such as high blood pressure. In some cases, patients may require Revisional Bariatric Surgery if previous procedures haven’t achieved the desired results or if complications arise, further improving their overall health and weight management outcomes. It can also help improve obesity-related conditions such as:
By achieving a healthier weight, patients can avoid weight regain and see long-term improvements in their overall health.
Yes, several studies such as this study on low-BMI bariatric surgery, this study from the University of Michigan and this paper on obesity indications & contraindications have shown that weight loss surgeries are well-tolerated and effective treatments for patients with a BMI of 30 to 35 kg/m2.
The safety and efficacy of these procedures in low-BMI patients appear to be similar to results in patients with severe obesity. At Torrance Bariatrics, we work with a multidisciplinary team to ensure the safest outcomes for our patients.
This paper from the ASMBS further correlates these studies.
Low-BMI weight loss surgery carries greater benefits with fewer risks than ever before. It’s highly recommended for low-BMI patients whose lives are affected by excess weight that doesn’t register on conventional charts.