Deciding to undergo weight loss surgery is never a choice made lightly. It is a major life event, often considered after years, sometimes decades of struggling with diet, exercise, and the emotional toll of weight fluctuation. At B+A Medical Center, Dr. Nicole Basa and Dr. Alan Abando often hear patients say, “I wish I had done this sooner.” But how do you know if now is truly the right time for you? While every patient’s journey is unique, there are four medical and lifestyle signs that often indicate it is time to consider a surgical solution.
1. The Numbers: BMI is Just a Starting Point
Historically, insurance companies relied on strict Body Mass Index (BMI) cutoffs, typically looking for a BMI of 40+, or 35+ with health conditions.
However, BMI is not the whole story. At B+A Medical Center, we look at your metabolic health, not just a calculator. New medical guidelines now support surgery for patients with a BMI as low as 30–35 if they are battling metabolic diseases like Type 2 Diabetes or hypertension that aren’t responding to medication.
If your weight is negatively impacting your organs or quality of life, you may be a candidate regardless of hitting a specific “perfect number.”
2. The “Yo-Yo” Cycle Won’t Stop
Have you lost 20, 30, or 50 pounds, only to gain it all back (plus more) a few months later? This is known as “weight cycling,” and it is incredibly damaging to your metabolic rate.
When diet and exercise alone stop working, it isn’t usually a failure of willpower; it is often a biological resistance. Bariatric procedures like the Gastric Sleeve or Gastric Bypass alter your gut hormones, helping to reduce hunger signals and reset your body’s “set point” for weight.
3. Your Quality of Life is Declining
Weight is more than just a number on a scale; it’s about how you live your life. It might be the right time to consider surgery if:
- Joint pain (knees, hips, back) prevents you from walking or exercising.
- Fatigue is constant or you are suffering from sleep apnea.
- You find yourself saying “no” to social events, playing with your children/grandchildren, or traveling because of physical limitations.
4. You Are Ready for a “Tool,” Not a “Cure”
This is the most critical sign of readiness. Weight loss surgery is not a magic wand that fixes everything overnight; it is a powerful tool that makes your lifestyle changes effective.
The right time to have surgery is when you are mentally ready to commit to the new habits that come with it: protein-first nutrition, vitamins, and regular follow-ups. If you are ready to do the work but just need a tool that actually allows your body to respond, you are ready for this step.
Real Stories: “I Wish I Did It Sooner”
It is normal to feel nervous about taking the first step, but for many of our patients, the only regret is waiting as long as they did. Hearing about the science is one thing, but seeing the transformation is another.
Watch this patient’s journey with our team to see what life looks like on the other side of the decision:
Know Your Options: It’s Not One-Size-Fits-All
At B+A Medical Center, we don’t believe in a “cookie-cutter” approach. Once you decide you are ready for surgery, we will help you select the specific procedure that matches your anatomy, metabolism, and lifestyle goals.
Common options we perform include:
- Gastric Sleeve: Our most popular minimally invasive option that reduces stomach size to restrict food intake without rearranging intestines.
- Gastric Bypass: The “gold standard” for patients who need significant weight loss or have severe acid reflux (GERD).
- Duodenal Switch (SADI-S): A powerful metabolic procedure often recommended for patients with a higher BMI or type 2 diabetes.
- Gastric Band: An adjustable, reversible option for specific candidates.
Employer-Covered Bariatric Surgery
Worried about cost? We are a Center of Excellence partner for many employer-direct healthcare plans (like Transcarent). This means many of our patients can access these life-changing procedures with little to no out-of-pocket cost, depending on their employer’s benefits.
Take the Next Step
If you see yourself in these signs, we invite you to have an honest, judgment-free conversation with our surgeons.
Dr. Basa and Dr. Abando recently voted Austin’s Top Doctors for 2026 (for the 4th consecutive year) specialize in minimally invasive metabolic surgery designed to help you reclaim your health.
Don’t wait for “someday.” Schedule your surgical consultation with our award-winning team today.
