Weight loss surgery combined with aftercare is an emerging therapy that has the potential to be a significant part of the overall solution in the United States’ continued fight against obesity.

One of the issues preventing weight loss surgery from being more widely utilized, however, is that many insurance companies are beginning to exclude weight loss surgery in the treatments they will cover; and, many companies that do offer coverage for weight loss surgery have begun to place restrictions that limit the number of people eligible to have the treatment covered. There are also many coverage gaps, such as the procedure itself being covered but not the aftercare.

This scaling back of coverage is preventing millions of overweight Americans from realizing the myriad health and happiness benefits that weight loss surgery can provide.

Candidates for weight loss surgery are typically qualified using the Body Mass Index (BMI) Spectrum. In the BMI Spectrum, people with a BMI of 30 or above are labeled “Obese.” Those with a BMI of 40 or higheraredetermined to be “Morbidly Obese.” Insurance companies who cover weight loss surgery usually limit coverage to those individuals with a BMI of 40 or higher, or 35+ with a co-morbidity.

The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center conducted a recent study showing that many people outside of the “qualified range” could benefit from weight loss surgery. The UT Southwestern study showed that a lowering of cardiovascular risk factors, a typical result of weight loss surgery, can benefit individuals with a BMI around 30 even more than those who fall into the “Morbidly Obese” range.

Another study, conducted at the University of Texas-Houston Medical Center under the direction of Dr. Brad Snyder, found that out of 600 gastric band patients, those patients with a BMI of 30 lost more weight in the year following the procedure than those patients with a BMI in the 50s.

Studies like these show that weight loss surgery is not simply for those who qualify as morbidly obese, but can benefit people with lower BMIs as well. Across the country, many people are starting to see the potential for weight loss surgery to be a safe and effective preventative measure in reversing the effects of obesity before it is too late, as opposed to simply treating those who are already excessively obese. This insight is gaining credibility and giving hope to many potential patients and insurance companies.

Recent research has consistently shown the safety and effectiveness of weight loss surgery advancements like the Lap-Band. For many people who want or need the procedure, financing can be the most important obstacle to overcome. As medical weight loss therapy providers continue to evolve their abilities to create financing solutions, weight loss surgery should become a more accessible solution for individuals committed to improving their health and happiness through significant and sustained weight loss.