7 things you need to know before you decide

In a new document posted online on its site, the HAS (High Authority of Health) lists the important elements to take into account before carrying out obesity surgery (or “bariatric surgery”).

1/ Preparation for obesity surgery lasts a minimum of 6 months.

“An overall assessment and your participation in a program or therapeutic education sessions (TEP) are part of the preparation for surgery”, indicates the HAS.

2/ A hospitalization of 2 to 5 days is often obligatory after obesity surgery.

“The length of your hospital stay varies from 2 to 5 days depending on your state of health and the surgical technique used,” explains the HAS. “This duration may be extended if complications arise following the operation. Your surgeon may indeed decide to re-operate on you urgently,” she continues.

“In certain situations, the surgery can be carried out on an outpatient basis (you enter in the morning and leave at the end of the day). The team will assess with you whether this treatment is possible in your situation. In this case, nursing follow-up is reinforced at home”, she specifies.

3/ Complications of obesity surgery are rare but possible.

4/ After obesity surgery, lifelong medical monitoring is necessary.

After obesity surgery, monitoring of your health will be necessary for life. “In this case, it is very common for the first two years then at least once a year after surgery, if all goes well. warns the HAS. “Indeed, obesity surgery requires adapting several lifestyle habits over the long term and adapting certain treatments (drug treatments for example)”, she emphasizes.

5/ Weight regain is expected even after obesity surgery.

After surgery, it is usual to expect a possible weight gain. It is completely normal and is on average 10% of the weight lost.

“The lowest weight is usually reached between one and two years after surgery. This weight loss stops in part because of digestive or metabolic changes and adaptations,” warns the HAS.

6/ Obesity surgery can disrupt your personal life.

For a certain number of people who have had surgery, the change in life can unbalance their relationship, family life and social life.

7/ All costs involved in obesity surgery are not reimbursed.

Health Insurance reimburses the costs related to the intervention and hospitalization once it has validated the request for prior agreement.

“On the other hand, Health Insurance does not cover certain vitamin supplements, most protein supplements, consultations with independent psychologists, appointments with independent dieticians, certain biological procedures and certain restorative or reconstructive surgery procedures. “, finish the HAS.

Obesity surgery: who is affected?

Obesity surgery concerns the following situations:
– Diabetic people with unbalanced blood sugar levels whose BMI is between 30 and 35 kg/m2;
– people whose BMI is greater than or equal to 35 kg/m2 and less than 40 kg/m2 with one or more comorbidities;
– people whose BMI is greater than or equal to 40 kg/m2.

According to a new report from Public Health France, the number of obese or overweight French people has increased significantly over the last 20 years.