for Weight-Loss Surgery
Obesity is generally defined as excessive weight due to the accumulation of fat, above 20 percent of an individual’s ideal body weight based on age, gender and height. An individual is considered morbidly obese when he or she weighs 75 pounds or more above the ideal weight, with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or greater. A BMI of 35 or greater is considered severe obesity. Generally, a person must be about 75 pounds overweight to be severely obese. The BMI is calculated by dividing an individual’s weight in kilograms by the square of his/her height in meters.
Severe obesity is not solely a cosmetic problem. Medical science has clearly indicated that it is a critical health concern. According to the National Institutes of Health, obesity is the second-leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Statistics demonstrate that the life expectancy of a severely overweight person is dramatically shorter than that of an individual who is at a normal weight. Additionally, there are risks of developing heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, orthopedic problems and depression associated with severe obesity.
The concept of surgery to control obesity grew out of the results of operations for cancer or severe ulcers that removed large portions of the stomach or small intestine. Because patients undergoing these procedures tended to lose weight after surgery, some physicians began to use such operations to treat severe obesity. The first operation that was widely used for severe obesity was the intestinal bypass.
This operation, first used more than 40 years ago, produced weight loss by causing something called “malabsorption” (failure of intestines to properly absorb nutrients from food). The idea was that patients could eat large amounts of food, which would be poorly digested or passed along too fast for the body to absorb many calories. Even though this surgery is no longer used in its original form, surgeons now use modified techniques that produce weight loss by limiting how much the stomach can hold. These restrictive procedures are often combined with modified malabsorbtive procedures that limit calorie and nutrient absorption and may lead to altered food choices.
Two ways that surgical procedures promote weight loss are:
There are two “bariatric” or surgical weight-loss procedures that are offered at the MemorialCare Center for Obesity. The procedures are known as Gastric Bypass which is normally performed laparoscopically and the Adjustable Gastric–Band procedure. With your input, your MemorialCare Center for Obesity surgeon will select the medically-appropriate procedure for you. Each procedure is designed to limit the amount of food that can be eaten during a meal by reducing the size of the stomach. With a smaller stomach, you will feel full quickly and for a longer period of time, eliminating the need to eat larger quantities in more frequent intervals. The lower intake of calories will satisfy your appetite and will cause you to lose weight at the same time.
Although there may be some exceptions depending on each individual, the following criteria must be met before a candidate is accepted for a surgical weight-loss procedure:
For those who remain severely overweight when non–surgical approaches to weight loss have failed, or for people who have obesity–related diseases, surgery may be the next step. Answers to the following questions can help in your decision to undergo weight-loss surgery.
Are you:
Do you:
Though surgery may be a viable option for you, success is only possible with your fullest cooperation and commitment to behavioral change and medical follow–up for the rest of your life.
With the altered size of your stomach and by eating only the amount of food recommended in your diet, your daily food intake will be decreased. With this decrease will come a weight loss of as much as five to six pounds per week for the first six weeks after gastric bypass surgery. Weight loss is usually slower with the adjustable gastric band, but may have similar results a few years after the procedure. With both procedures, you can continue to lose weight at a rate of one to two pounds per week for several months. The rate at which you will lose weight will decrease gradually until you reach a stable and healthy weight. Additional weight can be lost with a concentrated effort including the incorporation of exercise into your life.
In addition to looking better, weight loss improves most obesity–related conditions, including diabetes, sleep apnea, joint problems and hypertension. Many patients find they can reduce the number of medications they must take, or eliminate medications altogether. Many patients also report a greater feeling of personal development and job potential as a result of their renewed sense of self–esteem.
There are many factors that contribute to weight loss. Among the most important are your age, gender and initial weight at the time of your operation. Your willingness to make the necessary adjustments in your present habits is essential to the ultimate success of the procedure.
Any surgery entails a certain amount of risk, and complications cannot always be avoided. Therefore, before making the decision to undergo surgery, it is important to consider all the potential risks. Your surgeon will explain the risks of each procedure with you. Some of the potential complications are listed below:
Immediate Risks
Risks During Surgery
Delayed Complications
It should be noted that the above listed complications are rare. However, if they do occur, a revision operation may be necessary. Other unforeseen complications, including death, are a possibility. Bariatric surgeries are not miracle procedures or an “easy way out.” It is possible to “eat through” the operation and fail to lose/regain weight at a later time.
Proper nutrition and exercise are essential to a successful weight-loss program. Following surgery, a dietician will teach you how to eat properly and will create a personalized nutrition program for you. In addition, any form of moderate exercise will help you lose weight faster, help you maintain your muscle mass and generally make you feel better.
A healthy level of exercise is important to your daily life pattern. After the first visit following your procedure, we encourage you to resume activities and begin exercises that you find enjoyable. Once you begin to lose weight, you will find that you have more energy than you did before the procedure and exercising will become more pleasurable.
No. Like nutrition and exercise, a supportive network is important to the weight-loss effort. The team at the MemorialCare Center for Obesity includes not just our skilled surgeons, but also internists, psychologists, counselors and dietitians to help you develop a program to achieve your weight-loss goal. In addition, there are support groups for those who have undergone surgical weight-loss, and patients are automatically linked into this network. In addition to a supportive group environment, regular meetings feature guest speakers who will discuss topics that deal directly with the daily issues you will face as you progress with your weight loss.
Many insurance companies do cover these procedures. Insurance providers understand that severe obesity can contribute to multiple health problems. The knowledgeable staff at the MemorialCare Center for Obesity will work with you and your insurance provider to help make the necessary financial arrangements.
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