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Hair Loss and Medical Treatments

A number of factors cause hair thinning in men and women. Nonetheless, the most common cause in men is the familial inherited male pattern hair thinning. The hormone of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) charged with causing male pattern hair thinning leads to hair thinning in the genetically predisposed patients. While female pattern hair thinning is similarly inherited from the family, there are continuing researches on this issue. The impact of hormones on the familial inherited hair thinning in women differs from that observed with men. Less common causes of hair thinning which need further investigation include thyroid diseases, iron deficiency, high fever, diets which lead to aggression, giving birth and the administered medications. In addition to these, dermatological disorders related to the scalp may lead to temporary or permanent hair thinning. These disorders include lupus, lichen planopilaris, and alopecia areata. Many popular rumors are narrated regarding hair thinning. These include poor blood circulation, frequent use of shampoos and using hats or helmets. It should be noted that every adult loses 75-125 hairs a day due to the resting phase (telogen) of hair. The hair follicles those complete this phase with hair loss start to grow new hair shafts (anagen phase). With a balance maintained during this process, the number of hairs on the scalp remains stable. Stress is another minor factor in hair thinning which may increase male pattern hair thinning.

Which medical treatments are used against hair thinning?

After you realize that you are losing your hair, you can reverse this process if you wish. The treatments performed by administering medications –namely medical treatments- constitute one option against hair thinning. Medical treatments aim to stop hair loss and trigger hair growth.
The people who experience hair thinning should check if the medication to be used for the hair restoration treatment is approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration).
Finasteride (Propecia) is an oral tablet which started to be commonly administered during the last decade. Scientific researches have demonstrated that Finasteride (Propecia) stops hair loss and triggers hair growth in the majority of men. Finasteride works by decreasing the DHT (dihydrotestosterone) amount. This hormone is greatly responsible for male pattern hair thinning. Besides, Finasteride (Propecia) has no effect on the level of testosterone. Finasteride (Propecia) use gives the best results in mild to moderate hair thinning. This is the medication most commonly offered by hair restoration surgeons as an adjuvant treatment for the patients who undergo a hair transplantation operation.
While topical minoxidil (Rogaine=Minoxil) is being used as an adjuvant treatment for slowing down hair loss for more than 15 years, its effect is minimal in terms of new hair growth. Minoxidil is recommended with a concentration of 5% for men. Since this concentration level triggers hair growth on the face, it is recommended with a concentration of 2% for women.
Both of these treatments are recommended to be administered continually in order to be successful. If the patient discontinues the treatment, the thinning starts again. Although it would be too assertive to argue that these treatments are effective for everybody, they are successful to a great extent. Concomitant use of these two medications may help better with male pattern hair thinning.

New Step In Your Life

Hair transplantation in one word the solution brought to cure one of the most eye-catching elements of our body at first sight. While our hair differs from others’ in terms of quality, characteristics, color, and length, we all do our best to ensure that our hair looks distinctive and nice by styling and combing it in different ways.
The color, style, and length of our hair give hints regarding our stance towards life, our style, tastes, and inclinations. While a hairy head is identified with youth, hair thinning makes us appear older.
The person who experiences hair thinning feels socially and culturally incompetent and loses self-confidence. As a result, these negative feelings have a negative impact on every aspect of the individual’s life. That is exactly why our hair matters for us.
With all the negative impacts it brings, 50% of 50-year-old men experience the problem of hair thinning. In order to resolve this problem, individuals usually resort to various treatment options for many years. Unfortunately, medical treatments cannot grow back the lost hair, and in the modern world, the treatment known to be the most effective against hair thinning is hair transplant.Please click for natural results

Modern hair transplant operations

To make a short description, hair transplant operation consists of extracting hair follicles from the back of the scalp and inserting them on the sites of hair thinning. It may be described as a sort of relocation operation, too.
The hair on the posterior scalp consists of donor dominant hairs which have the ability for growing for a lifetime. These follicles do not lose their capacity of growing hair after being planted on the sites of hair thinning. The dominant donor site comprises the scientific foundation of hair transplantation.

FUE the New Era

Nowadays, the purpose of FUE hair transplant is not limited to the growth of hair from the transplanted hair follicles; a natural-looking result is aimed, too. Nobody wants it to be apparent that they have undergone a hair transplant operation.
With the great breakthroughs that took place within the last few years, the procedures that resulted in a patched appearance, an appearance that resembled paving stones or looked like a grass head were replaced by transplantation of follicles containing a single hair shaft, and micro- and mini-graft procedures.
Use of gentler and thinner hair follicles and development of more sophisticated, novel surgical equipment has made it easier for surgeons to perform successful hair transplantations specific to the individual, which result in a natural appearance.
Use of those follicles containing a single hair shaft gives a natural and smooth transition at the hairline. Creating a new hairline always requires surgical experience and artistic capabilities. If you observe a person who does not experience hair thinning, you will easily realize that the hairline consists of very thin and gentle hair shafts, it does not continue as a straight line and the hair follicles get thicker towards the front part.

What does hair loss mean for me and for my appearance?

Although a cliché, it is right to say that everybody is unique. Our physical appearance is shaped by the genetic codes we inherit from our families while it is our social and cultural environment that determines what we think and how we act. Along with all these genetic and socio-cultural inheritance, we come to the world once and live as a unique individual.
The most significant result of being an individual is the way we see ourselves. Being an individual brings about a perception towards our physical appearance and ourselves, and specific expectations and efforts regarding how we want to be perceived by others. The aesthetic characteristics presented on the head and face have a deep impact on the “imagined me”, “me in the mirror”, and “me as I want to be perceived”. We care about our hair and style it accordingly in order to look beautiful to ourselves and to others.
In cases of hair loss, our physical appearance disturbs us and we get concerned regarding the way others perceive us. This bother encourages us to find a solution and ask help from a plastic surgeon specialized in hair loss.
While sitting across your physician as an individual carrying all these concerns, in order to talk about hair loss, your basic expectation is not talking about hair loss but making the physician understand the impacts of hair loss on your physical appearance. Generally, the main expectations from hair transplant is an improvement on the individual’s perception regarding the physical appearance, self-satisfaction and the expectation of an improvement in the way we are perceived by others.

What do I actually expect from the hair transplant operation?

Upon arriving at a mutual understanding with your physician, it will help if you clearly express how you perceive hair loss and what actually bothers you. The negative perceptions are generally related to discomforts and concerns about physical appearance. They may include looking unattractive, looking older than the actual age, being ashamed of baldness and loss of self-esteem.
After all your bothers and concerns are understood, you should make some decisions with the physician. These are:

The best hair treatment approach to resolve your concerns
The best hair transplant method
Possible results before and after the hair transplant operation
The duration required for hair transplant
The cost of hair transplant

The major concern regarding hair loss is about physical appearance. Whether the patient’s expectations from their physical appearance will be completely fulfilled or not with the hair transplant operation constitutes the greatest concern of the patient. Our commitment as plastic surgeons is to exactly understand the patient and improve their physical appearance and their self-esteem by a successful hair transplant operation which gives a natural appearance.

FUE Hair Transplant

FUE hair transplant is a more recently developed technique compared to the FUT operation. In the FUE hair transplant method, hair follicles are individually removed from the donor site between the ears by a specifically designed micromotor and micro punches with diameters of 0.5-0.8 mm.

With rapid advancements in technology, the results of FUE hair transplant came to be comparable to FUT operations, and the FUE hair transplantation rapidly gained popularity. The most important factor which led to the recognition of FUE hair transplant as the standard has been the development of surgical tools which rapidly and smoothly extract hair follicles without harming them. Nowadays, hand-held punches have been replaced by manually or electronically controlled micromotors. These tools make it possible to extract follicles rapidly without encountering any problems. The duration of challenging operations which took two days has decreased to considerably shorter duration of 4-5 hours during which an FUE hair transplant operation can be completed. These have led to a higher level of comfort for the patients after the surgery.

Nowadays, FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) method is the most common hair transplantation technique thanks to its advantages. In the area of hair transplantation, the first method that comes to mind is FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction). This situation has valid grounds. FUE hair transplant is a painless operation. It allows for a quicker return to the ordinary life for the individuals.It requires no incisions or stitches. No visible permanent scar is left on the donor site from which the hair follicles are extracted.

Which factors are considered in the examination done before the Fue hair transplant operation?

Although hair transplant is perceived as a simple operation, a number of factors should be fulfilled for a hair transplant operation to obtain an aesthetic and successful result.
A successful hair transplantation process starts with a detailed examination and technical analysis by a specialized plastic surgeon.
The individual who plans to have a hair transplant operation should undergo a systemic examination by the plastic surgeon. In this examination, family history is learned first, and the diseases and other health problems of the patient are questioned. In most of the cases, the diagnosis is androgenic alopecia, ie. male pattern hair loss. It is caused by the genetic endowment of the individual.
Donor Site
Then the donor site which will function as the source of hair follicles is examined. In this stage, the density of hair follicles is reviewed by a specially designed camera called the Proscope and the number of hair follicles per cm2 is determined. Then the total number of removable hair follicles can be calculated.
In addition to the hair density, the thickness of hair shafts, hair color and the number of hair shafts contained in every hair follicle (follicular unit) is determined.
Ozge Ergun, MD “FU” (follicular unit), ie. hair follicles, while calculating the amount in hair transplant. Transplantation of 30 to 60 hair follicles per square centimeter corresponds to 80 to 150 hair shafts per cm2. Transplantation of 4000-4500 hair follicles in total corresponds to 10,000-12,000 hair shafts.
Ozge Ergun, MD transplant a total of 4000-4500 hair follicles in 4 to 6 hours in a single day for an individual. Since no new hair follicle develops to replace the extracted hair follicle, these numbers are not exceeded in order not to create a visible hair thinning on the donor site. No visible thinning occurs on that region between the ears as long as the safe limits are not exceeded.
Scalp Health
After the hair examination, the scalp is examined, too. A healthy hairy scalp both on the donor and recipient sites and the tightness of the scalp are significant criteria for a hair transplantation operation.
As a result of all these analyses and examinations, it is decided whether you are a suitable candidate for hair transplant or not. If the commonly used hair transplant methods are not suitable for you, alternative ancillary hair treatments will be recommended.
After the hair transplant decision is made, the patient is given detailed information regarding the location of hair transplantation, the extent of the recipient site, the transplantation density to be obtained, duration of the treatment and post-operative care.

The patient should have realistic expectations.

One of the most significant criteria for a successful hair transplantation performed with an individual experiencing hair thinning is the appropriate patient expectation. A realistic and feasible common ground should be found between what we, as physicians, can provide the patient with and what the patient dreams of. Full patient satisfaction is achieved with the hair transplantation operations performed by a Plastic Surgeon specialized in the field with those individuals who have appropriate expectations.

How should a satisfying hair density be for me after fue hair transplant?

In cases of a convenient hair density on the donor site and a convenient hair shaft thickness, 80-100 hair shafts per cm2 can cover the scalp. The number of hair follicles to give this density of hair depends on the characteristics of the patient. While 30 hair follicles per cm2 are enough for hair transplantation performed with those follicles containing predominantly three and four shafts. This number is as high as 40-60 per cm2 with a person whose follicles predominantly contain single or double shafts.

DHI Hair Transplant

Direct Hair Implantation (DHI), or in other words direct hair transplant method, is generally considered one of the most effective hair transplant techniques in the world. It’s an innovative technique based on the triple synergy – technique, teamwork, and state-of-the-art technology. In his hair transplant center, he provides state-of-the-art hair transplant methods, using high-tech equipment. DHI hair implants, using Choi pens is one of the cutting-edge techniques offered. DHI direct hair implementation is the world’s most advanced technology providing results, which goes above and beyond patients expectations. What Is a DHI Hair Transplant? This most innovative and advanced hair transplant surgery includes the extraction process of hair follicles directly from the donor areas using the latest tools. After the extraction is completed, the hair follicles are transplanted into the patient's receipt site using a special Choi Pen with a hollow needle. In this method, there is a shorter waiting time for the hair follicles to be implanted, as the channel opening step is phased out and they are directly implanted.

A Short Step By Step Guide to DHI Hair Transplant Procedure

DHI method, the most innovative and advanced hair transplant surgery includes the extraction process of hair follicles directly from the donor areas using the latest tools. After the extraction is completed, the hair follicles are transplanted into the patient’s receipt site using a special Choi Pen with a precise needle.
Step 1: Extraction Phase
DHI hair transplant procedure starts with the extraction phase. The removal of the hair follicles from the donor area is always performed under local anesthesia. Follicles are removed one by one and placed in a special environment and solution under a specific temperature to enhance their natural development.
Step 2: Placement Phase
During the placement phase, follicles are transplanted using a special single-use implanter tool. This sophisticated tool doesn’t require the creation of slits or holes on the patient’s scalp.
The DHI implanter gives a surgeon full control over the entire process, which gives a natural-looking result.

Beard, Mustache, Sideburn, Eyebrow Transplant

The presence and shape of the beard and mustache are as important as the presence of our hair. In order to achieve an aesthetic integrity in men, obtaining a compact performance is the key. Even if a man does not grow his beard or mustache long, the presence of the beard and mustache is the symbol of masculinity. They signify self-esteem and an aesthetic appearance for men. In lack of facial hair, beard transplant surgery can be the most effective solution.

A number of reasons may be responsible for the lack of beard with a man. Most of these reasons are hereditary. In addition to these, laser depilation, surgical interventions, burns or accidents may lead to beard loss. Beard and mustache may also be lost due to certain autoimmune disorders and the low levels of testosterone. If there are doubts regarding an organic disorder, the testosterone hormone level should definitely be controlled. Similar to hair loss, it is not possible to grow new beard and mustache by cosmetic products or medical treatments. The permanent solution for beard and mustache loss is beard and mustache transplant. The use of beard and mustache , transplant operations are rapidly increasing in the Middle Eastern region. The beard and mustache have a particular significance for these people in these countries. An increasing awareness regarding the possibility of beard and mustache restoration is known among men. The development of novel transplant methods such as FUE hair transplant and the natural-looking hair transplant results obtained is the main reason.

The main function of eyebrows is surrounding the eyes and protecting them from harmful external effects. In addition to their protective function, eyebrows have a significant role in facial symmetry. They are among the main determining elements for a characteristic appearance and gestures. Loss or thinning of eyebrows is quite noticeable in the social life of the person, and it may lead to serious aesthetical concerns and loss of self-esteem. It is troublesome to confront questions asked every day about your eyebrow loss, to feel the discomfort of seeing that people around you notice it, and to feel obliged to continually camouflage eyebrow loss by having a permanent makeup or using makeup pencils.

Who can have a beard or mustache restoration?

In addition to men who do not have any beard at all, those men who have patches of non-hairy parts on the beard and mustache regions or who have a scattered beard can have a the surgery.
In addition to them, transplantation can also be performed with those men who have scars on their face as a result of pimples, burns or incisions, for the purpose of hiding these scars from view.
Those men who like the appearance of a stubbly beard and want to grow their sideburns but who have a scattered and sparse beard often undergo a beard transplantation operation, too.
Beard and mustache transplant can also be performed without experiencing any beard loss for the purpose of modifying the pattern of the beard and mustache.

What does eyebrow transplant mean? How is it performed?

Eyebrow transplant consists of the dermal extraction of hair follicles –which are genetically resistant to thinning- located on the posterior scalp between the ears, and the dermal transplant of these follicles on the site where you want eyebrow hairs to grow. The transplanted eyebrow hairs do not fall off, and the result is permanent.

Which methods are used for eyebrow transplant?

Eyebrow transplant is actually a kind of hair transplant. Hair follicles are used in eyebrow transplant. Eyebrows are made to grow by transplanting hairs in the place of eyebrow hairs.
Similar to hair transplant, two methods can be used in eyebrow transplant in order to extract hair follicles. These methods are FUT and FUE.
FUT method is not generally preferred in eyebrow transplant operations. This method requires an incision on the posterior scalp and sutures. The thin but permanent scar it leaves is the most important disadvantage of this method.
On the other hand, hair follicles are individually extracted from the posterior scalp by the FUE eyebrow transplant without making any incisions or sutures. This procedure leaves no permanent scars.

Which aspects should be taken into consideration in FUE eyebrow transplant?

Eyebrows differ from hair in many aspects. Compared to hair shafts, eyebrow hairs grow with an angle much more inclined towards the skin. Their orientation is steeper on the inner part closest to the nose, and more horizontal on the outer end. Besides, eyebrows generally consist of those follicles which contain a single hair shaft. Eyebrow transplant requires quite a higher level of care and caution. The first thing to do is to choose an experienced plastic surgeon who is capable of performing the procedure and to choose the hair transplant clinic.
Hair follicles to be chosen for eyebrow transplant should particularly be those follicles which contain a single hair shaft. This is possible by FUE eyebrow transplant. The extracted hair follicles that contain a single hair shaft are inserted into the micro canals which are prepared cautiously on the skin with great care not to leave any scars. The canals are prepared in accordance with the form of the eyebrow decided before. The orientation of the existing eyebrow hairs and the angles they make with the skin should particularly be taken into consideration. In this way, a natural result can be obtained which is not noticeable to the people around.

Can eyebrow transplant be performed in order to make the eyebrows thicker?

Yes. The people who can have an eyebrow transplant operation are not limited to those who experience eyebrow thinning or loss. It is possible to make the eyebrows thicker with those people who think their eyebrows are too thin, or who want to modify the shape of their eyebrows. Permanent makeup is not an alternative to eyebrow transplant because it does not look natural. On the other hand, the result of eyebrow transplant is totally natural.
Thicker eyebrows may be preferred because of their suitability to the patient’s facial ratios in aesthetical terms and they may also be preferred just for their fashionableness. In addition, eyebrows can be thickened with those people whose eyebrows have become thinner as a result of excessive plucking. Since the eyebrows are a little lifted with eyebrow thickening, the face shows a more energetic appearance.
Eyebrow thickening is a flexible procedure. If the thickened eyebrows are found to be too thick, they may be plucked in order to achieve the desired thickness. While it is not possible to thicken thin eyebrows, it is always possible to make the thick eyebrows thinner.

Does eyebrow transplant give a permanent result?

Yes, the hairs that grow after the eyebrow transplant are permanent. They continue to grow for a lifetime and they do not differ from your original eyebrows.

Facelift for Men

One of the most important considerations when performing surgical procedures for a man’s face and/or neck are to ensure that his masculine features are “intact”. Another important consideration is that many of the facial lines that are unacceptable for women are actually not problematic for men. After the procedure, sagging skin and wrinkles are greatly reduced, and a refreshed, youthful appearance is restored.

Face Lift Procedures

The most important area for plastic surgery in a man’s face are his neck and jawline. These characteristics are what gives the appearance of youthful health and athleticism.

Liposuction for Men

The ideal male body shape is considered to be trim and athletic-looking, with broad shoulders and chest, a flat abdomen and a narrow hip-thigh area. However, as men age, areas of fat tend to accumulate around the abdomen, the flanks (“love handles”), the breast area (a condition called gynecomastia) and along the chin and neck. Men sometimes seek liposuction to remove these fatty areas that are resistant to diet and exercise. Liposuction is a procedure in which the contours of the body are resculpted through the removal of localized deposits of unwanted fat. During the past decade, advancements in liposuction techniques and technology have made the procedure safer and more efficient than ever before.

Esteticahall performs liposuction using the tumescent technique. With this technique, fat is suctioned using a thin instrument, called a cannula; the cannula causes less trauma to surrounding tissues than past methods of liposuction. At the end of the procedure, Dr. Lamblet may attach small drains that allow the release of excess fluid during healing, and he bandages the area. Your recovery will be monitored closely by Esteticahall to make sure that you are healing properly.

Liposuction is the ideal procedure for removing stubborn areas of fat that do not respond to dieting and exercise. Contact Esteticahall office to find out if you are a good candidate for liposuction.

Male Breast Reduction (Gynecomastia)

Gynecomastia is an enlargement or swelling of breast tissue in males. It is most commonly caused by male estrogen levels that are too high or are out of balance with testosterone levels. Gynecomastia is most commonly caused by an imbalance between the hormones estrogen and testosterone. Estrogen controls female traits, including breast growth. Testosterone controls male traits, such as muscle mass and body hair. Although each of these hormones produces the usual traits seen in males and females, males produce a small amount of estrogen and females produce a small amount of testosterone. Male estrogen levels that are too high or are out of balance with testosterone levels cause gynecomastia.

Breast procedures for men

A male breast reduction is the most effective known treatment for gynecomastia, or enlarged male breasts. This cosmetic surgery procedure removes excess fat and glandular tissue to restore a flatter, firmer and more masculine contour to the chest.
If you are uncomfortable or self-conscious about the appearance of your chest, or if you find yourself avoiding certain activities because you are afraid to show your chest, male breast reduction is an option to consider.
With the help of Dr. Lamblet, the procedure offers dramatic, near immediate improvements with minimal scarring.

Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric surgery procedures include gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, gastric band and duodenal switch. These operations have proven results in treating class III obesity. They also help normalize your metabolism, including blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol.

What is bariatric surgery?

Bariatric surgery, also called weight loss surgery, is a category of surgical operations intended to help people with obesity lose weight. Healthcare providers may recommend bariatric surgery if other weight loss methods have failed and if obesity appears to pose a greater risk to your health than surgery.
Bariatric surgery procedures work by modifying your digestive system — usually your stomach, and sometimes also your small intestine — to regulate how many calories you can consume and absorb. They can also reduce the hunger signals that travel from your digestive system to your brain.
These procedures can help treat and prevent many metabolic diseases related to obesity, including diabetes and fatty liver disease. But weight loss surgery isn't an easy “quick fix”. It requires preparation beforehand and long-term lifestyle changes afterward to be successful.

Why is bariatric surgery done?

Bariatric surgery is the most successful long-term treatment for class III obesity. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), it is nearly impossible for people with class III obesity to sustain weight loss through diet and exercise alone. Once your body has registered your higher weight as “normal,” it continues to try to return to that weight. Bariatric surgery works by changing how your body manages what you eat, allowing healthy diet and lifestyle changes to be effective for sustained weight loss and health.

What kinds of conditions can bariatric surgery treat?

Obesity is associated with many chronic diseases, many of which can be life-threatening. These conditions and risk factors greatly improve after surgery and weight loss. If you're a candidate for bariatric surgery, you may already have or be at risk of developing any of these diseases, including:

High cholesterol. Hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol) means your blood has too many lipids (fats) in it. These can add up and lead to blockages in your blood vessels. This is why high cholesterol can put you at risk for a stroke or heart attack.

High blood pressure. Hypertension (high blood pressure) means the force of blood flowing through your blood vessels is too high. This wears down the walls of your blood vessels and puts you at greater risk of heart attack and stroke.

High blood sugar. Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) is highly linked to insulin resistance and is considered a precursor to diabetes. Left untreated, it can damage your nerves, blood vessels, tissues and organs, increasing your risk of many diseases.
Type 2 diabetes. Excess fat storage can lead to insulin resistance, which can lead to adult-onset diabetes (type 2). The risk of developing type 2 diabetes increases by 20% for each 1 point increase on the BMI (body mass index) scale.

Heart disease. Obesity can lead to impaired cardiac function and congestive heart failure. It can also cause plaque to build up inside your arteries and increases your risk of heart attack and stroke.

Kidney disease. Metabolic syndromes associated with obesity, including high blood pressure, insulin resistance and congestive heart failure, are major contributors to chronic kidney disease.
Obstructive sleep apnea. People with untreated sleep apnea stop breathing repeatedly during their sleep when their upper respiratory tract becomes blocked. These episodes reduce oxygen flow to the vital organs and particularly endanger the heart.

Osteoarthritis. Having excess weight puts extra pressure on joints like your knees. This makes it more likely that you'll develop osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease, or make it worse if you already have it.

Non-alcohol related fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NAFLD occurs when your body begins depositing excess fat in your liver. It can lead to non-alcohol related steatohepatitis (NASH), chronic inflammation that can do long-term damage to your liver.

Cancer. While the connection isn't entirely understood, obesity is correlated with an increased risk of acquiring more than a dozen types of cancer. It also increases your risk of death from cancer by more than 50%.

What qualifies you for bariatric surgery?

Bariatric surgery requirements begin with establishing a diagnosis of class III obesity. That means that you either:

Have a BMI of 40 or higher. The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a way of estimating how much body fat you have based on your height-to-weight ratio. A score of 40 or higher is associated with a high risk of related diseases. It usually equates to about 100 lbs. overweight.
Have a BMI of at least 35 and at least one related health problem. A BMI of 35 without a related health problem is considered class II obesity.

The criteria are slightly higher for adolescents. An adolescent may be a candidate if they have:

BMI of at least 40 and an obesity-related medical condition.
BMI of at least 35 and a severe obesity-related medical condition.

While BMI is easily measured, you may have to take some medical tests to diagnose your obesity-related health conditions.

What are the different types of bariatric surgery?

Gastric sleeve
The gastric sleeve, also called sleeve gastrectomy, is the most commonly performed bariatric surgery in the U.S. This may be because it’s a relatively simple procedure that's safe to perform on most people with little risk of complications. The gastrectomy simply removes a large portion of your stomach — about 80% — leaving behind a small, tubular portion, like a sleeve. This naturally reduces the amount of food you can consume in one sitting and makes you feel fuller faster. But it also reduces the hunger hormones that are normally produced in your stomach. This helps to stabilize your metabolism, decreasing your appetite and regulating your blood sugar.

Gastric bypass
The gastric bypass is also known as the “Roux-en-Y," which is a French term meaning “in the form of the letter Y.” With this procedure, your small intestine will end up in that form. First, surgeons create a small pouch at the top of your stomach, separating it from the lower portion with surgical staples. Then they divide your small intestine and bring the new segment up to connect to the stomach pouch. Food will now flow through the new, smaller stomach and lower segment of your small intestine, bypassing the rest. This restricts how much your stomach can hold and also how much nutrition your small intestine can absorb. Restricting the small intestine makes this method more effective than gastric restriction alone.

Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch (BPD-DS)
This is the original version of the duodenal switch, an operation that combines a sleeve gastrectomy with an intestinal bypass. (It sometimes goes by a shorter name: Gastric Reduction Duodenal Switch). It’s similar to the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass but more extreme. This operation bypasses most of your small intestine — about 75%. This significantly reduces the hunger hormones produced in your small intestine as well as in your stomach. It also significantly restricts how much nutrition your small intestine can absorb. This is what makes the duodenal switch the most effective surgery for weight loss and for improving metabolic syndromes like diabetes. But it can also make it hard for your body to absorb enough nutrients to stay healthy.

Stomach Intestinal Pylorus Sparing Surgery (SIPS)
This newer procedure is a modified version of the original duodenal switch, intended to reduce complications. It also goes by the names Loop Duodenal Switch or SADI-s. Early results are still being studied, but so far it appears promising that this version may eventually replace the original duodenal switch. Like the original, it begins with a sleeve gastrectomy, then divides the first part of the small intestine just after the stomach (the duodenum). This time, the small intestine is reattached as a loop, which requires just one surgical connection (anastomosis) instead of two. It also means that less of the small intestine is bypassed, allowing for a little more absorption of nutrients.

What kind of postoperative care will I have after weight loss surgery?

During the first year after your surgery, your healthcare provider will see you regularly for follow-up visits and testing. They will take metabolic blood tests to monitor how your health is improving and screen for any nutritional deficiencies. After the first year, if you're in good health and have lost a lot of weight, you may want to discuss body contouring options with your healthcare provider. Body contouring can help remove excess skin folds and tighten loose tissues.

What are the risks of bariatric surgery?

When weighing the pros and cons of bariatric surgery, it’s important to consider the risks of the operation itself as well as the possible side effects that may occur afterward.
Surgical complications
All surgeries involve certain risks. Longer and more complex operations may involve more. Risks include:

Bleeding.
Infection.
Blood clots.
Hernias.
Small bowel obstruction.
Anastomotic leaks.

Surgery side effects
Surgeries that modify your digestive system can cause certain digestive complications. These are sometimes called post-gastrectomy syndromes. Possible complications include:

Dumping syndrome. This is a collection of symptoms that can occur when your stomach dumps food too fast into your small intestine. Up to 50% of people who have bariatric surgery may have some symptoms of dumping syndrome afterward. Symptoms can include nausea, diarrhea, abdominal cramping and hypoglycemia. They usually fade with time. Your healthcare team will give you dietary guidelines to help prevent or reduce dumping syndrome while you recover.
Malabsorption and malnutrition. Many bariatric surgery procedures intentionally induce malabsorption in your small intestine to reduce the calories you absorb. But malabsorption can lead to loose stools. It can also lead to nutritional deficiencies if you aren’t careful. Your healthcare provider will prescribe nutritional supplements to help prevent this.
Bile reflux. Surgery that affects the pyloric valve, the opening between your stomach and your small intestine, can cause it to malfunction. If the pyloric valve doesn’t close properly, one possible result is bile reflux. That means the bile that your gallbladder sends to your small intestine to help digest food can backwash into your stomach. Bile reflux can erode your stomach lining, leading to gastritis.
Gallstones. Rapid weight loss sends a large load of cholesterol to your liver to process. When your liver sends bile to your gallbladder, it carries extra cholesterol with it. This extra cholesterol can build up in your gallbladder, forming cholesterol gallstones. Gallstones don’t always cause problems, but they can be dangerous if they travel and get stuck in your bile ducts. Your healthcare provider may give you a prescription medication to prevent gallstones after surgery.

How long does it take to recover from bariatric surgery?

You’ll likely spend a few days recovering in the hospital, then a few weeks recovering at home before you feel ready to go back to work. You may need to avoid strenuous activity for up to six weeks, and it may take up to 12 weeks to resume a normal diet.

Weight loss surgery is considered successful if you lose 50% of your excess weight and keep it off. By this standard, the success rate is 90%. Many people experience steady weight loss for the first two years, then stall or regain some weight after that. Usually, the weight regained is less than 25%.

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