Who Should Consider
Bariatric Surgery to Lose Weight?
If you've struggled to lose weight — or keep it off — for years, you are not alone, and it is not your fault. Learn why surgery may be the most effective and medically sound option for you.
Why Your Weight Matters Beyond How You Look
While many people are understandably concerned about how their body looks, the most critical reason to address excess weight is how it affects your long-term health and quality of life. Carrying extra weight isn't just a cosmetic issue — it's a complex medical condition with serious consequences.
Research has identified over 230 medical conditions directly related to excess weight — including multiple types of cancer, cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, joint disease, and more. The good news: as you lose weight — whether medically or surgically — many of these conditions improve dramatically or resolve entirely.
At Better Weigh Center in Corpus Christi, TX, we treat obesity as the medical disease it is. Our board-certified bariatric surgeons take a comprehensive, compassionate approach to helping patients across South Texas reclaim their health and their lives.
"Obesity is not a personal failure — it is a complex, chronic disease with genetic, hormonal, metabolic, and behavioral components. Treating it requires medical intervention, not willpower alone."
— Dr. Lloyd Stegemann, MD, FASMBS · Better Weigh CenterWhy Can't I Just Lose the Weight on My Own?
You can lose weight. The real challenge — and the one that defeats nearly everyone — is keeping it off. Your body is biologically designed to defend its current weight, even when that weight is harming you. This is called "Set Point Theory."
When you lose weight through diet and exercise alone, your body responds by increasing hunger hormones, slowing your metabolism, and reducing the calories you burn. Your body actively fights every pound you lose. This is why less than 5% of people with a BMI of 40 or above can lose a significant amount of weight and maintain that loss for 5 years using non-surgical methods.
This is not laziness. This is not lack of willpower. This is human biology — and understanding it is the first step toward finding a treatment that actually works.
Watch the video below to learn more about Set Point Theory and why bariatric surgery is the only proven way to permanently "reset" your body's weight set point.
What is Set Point Theory?
Your brain has a "set point" — a weight range it works to maintain. When you try to go below it through dieting, your body fights back with powerful hormonal signals that increase hunger and reduce energy expenditure. Bariatric surgery directly alters the hormonal signals that control this set point — which is why surgical outcomes are so dramatically better than dieting alone.
Who Qualifies for Bariatric Surgery?
The criteria for bariatric surgery were established by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and are used by most insurance companies and surgeons — including our team in Corpus Christi — to determine candidacy. Meeting these criteria means bariatric surgery may be medically appropriate for you.
BMI of 40 or Higher
A Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40+ qualifies you for bariatric surgery based on weight alone — no additional health conditions required. This is typically about 100 lbs or more above your ideal body weight.
BMI 35–39.9 With a Qualifying Health Condition
A BMI between 35 and 39.9 qualifies when combined with one or more serious obesity-related conditions — such as Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, or heart disease.
Failed Prior Weight Loss Attempts
You've genuinely tried — diet programs, exercise regimens, behavioral therapy, medications — and haven't achieved lasting weight loss. This is nearly universal in patients with severe obesity, and it's not a personal failure.
Commitment to Lifestyle Change & Follow-Up
Surgery is a powerful tool — but it works best when paired with lasting dietary changes, regular exercise, and consistent follow-up care. Our program provides lifelong support for every patient.
No Active Substance Abuse Issues
Candidates should not have active alcohol or drug dependency issues. If this is a concern in your history, our team can help guide you toward appropriate resources before considering surgery.
Medically Cleared for Surgery
Your existing health conditions should be stable enough that the risk of surgery is medically reasonable. Our surgeons conduct thorough pre-operative evaluations to confirm this for every patient.
The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) now recommends that bariatric surgery be considered for patients with a BMI of 30–34.9 who do not achieve adequate weight loss or health improvement through non-surgical methods. If your BMI is below 35, you may still qualify — ask our team during your consultation.
Health Conditions That Strengthen Your Candidacy
If your BMI is between 35 and 39.9, having one or more of these weight-related conditions means bariatric surgery may be medically appropriate — and covered by insurance. These are the conditions our Corpus Christi bariatric surgeons see most often in candidates.
Is This the "Easy Way Out"?
"Weight loss surgery patients are taking the easy way out."
Many people believe bariatric surgery means bypassing the hard work of dieting and exercise — that it's a shortcut for people who lack discipline or willpower.
Surgery patients do everything non-surgical patients do — and get dramatically better results.
Bariatric surgery patients must still make better food choices, increase their activity, sleep better, manage stress, and commit to lifelong follow-up. The surgery doesn't do the work for them. What it does do is reset the hormonal environment that makes sustained weight loss possible.
The numbers say it all: 70%+ of surgery patients maintain over 25% body weight loss for life, compared to fewer than 5% of those trying without surgery. Surgery isn't the easy way out — it's the effective way out.
Who May Not Be a Candidate Right Now
Bariatric surgery isn't appropriate for everyone. Your safety comes first — and our team will always be honest with you about whether the timing and conditions are right. The following situations may delay or prevent candidacy:
Active alcohol or substance abuse
Addiction issues must be addressed before surgery. We can help connect you with appropriate resources.
Untreated psychiatric conditions
Severe depression, eating disorders, or uncontrolled mental health conditions are evaluated carefully pre-operatively.
Current pregnancy
Surgery is not recommended during pregnancy. Surgeons typically advise waiting 12–18 months after surgery before attempting pregnancy.
Uncontrolled serious medical conditions
Conditions like severe heart disease or unstable health that make anesthesia or surgery unsafe — though many can be optimized first.
Unwillingness to make lifestyle changes
Surgery is a tool — not a cure. Patients who aren't prepared to commit to dietary changes and follow-up care are less likely to achieve lasting results.
Treatable underlying causes of weight gain
Conditions like hypothyroidism or Cushing's syndrome that are directly responsible for weight gain should be treated first.
How the Evaluation Process Works at Better Weigh Center
Finding out if you're a candidate for bariatric surgery in South Texas is simpler than most people expect. Here's our step-by-step process:
Watch the Free Seminar
Start by watching our free online seminar — a 30–45 min overview of all your options, hosted by our surgeons.
Initial Consultation
Meet with our bariatric team. We review your medical history, BMI, health conditions, and prior weight loss attempts.
Medical Evaluation
Lab work, nutritional assessment, cardiac clearance if needed, and a psychological evaluation to ensure you're fully prepared.
Insurance Review
Our team helps navigate insurance requirements and pre-authorization — including any required medically supervised diet periods.
Surgery & Lifelong Care
Your procedure with our board-certified surgeons — followed by comprehensive, lifelong follow-up care and support.
Ready to Find Out If You Qualify?
The first step is simple — and it's free. Watch our online seminar, check your BMI, or call our Corpus Christi office directly. Our team is here to answer every question without pressure.
Serving Corpus Christi, South Texas, Victoria, Laredo, McAllen & surrounding areas