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Obesity, Surgery and a Healthy Lifestyle
Obesity:
Fat tissue in our bodies is necessary, however when
there is too much body fat (when we consume more
calories than our body needs), the result is obesity.
Obesity is a chronic disease that is defined as having a
body mass index of 30 or above, which is about 30 pounds
over the ideal body weight for your height. Obesity is a
disease, not a sign of a person being out of control and
according to the American Obesity Association; obesity
is a serious medical disease that affects nearly one
third of the American population. Clinically severe
obesity has long-term effects and it increases ones risk
of developing serious health problems such as type 2
diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke,
gallbladder disease and certain cancers.
Obesity can also be associated with other medical
conditions such as shortness of breath, sleep apnea,
irregular menstruation or infertility, gallbladder
disease (gallstones), and osteoarthritis. In addition to
increased risk of health conditions, nearly 300,000
Americans die unnecessarily each year due to
obesity-related health problems and obese people die
younger than normal-weight people. Obesity and
obesity-related conditions are causing healthcare costs
to soar and costs reach approximately 100 billion
dollars each year. It is very clear that obesity is a
foremost healthcare issue for the United States.
Obesity also affects us socially and psychologically.
Many people suffer social effects such as
self-consciousness and discomfort in social situations,
limitations in social activities because of limited
mobility, frustration, and discrimination.
Psychologically, obesity may cause depression, despair,
low self-esteem, and negative body image. Morbid obesity
prevents many people from living their lives to the
fullest.
Morbid obesity is a chronic condition that has been
proven difficult to treat through diet, exercise, and
even physician supervised weight loss medications.
Bariatric surgery is a treatment for clinically severe
obesity. Bariatric surgery such as Gastric Bypass
surgery or Lap Band surgery may be the next step for
people who remain severely obese after trying
non-surgical approaches, or for people who have obesity
related health conditions.
Treating Obesity with Gastric Bypass Surgery
Gastric Bypass surgery is considered the most effective
method of weight loss and weight maintenance of all
surgical and medical techniques available, according to
the American Society for Bariatric Surgery and the
National Institute of Health. Gastric Bypass surgery is
the “gold standard” of weight loss surgery and is the
most frequently performed weight loss surgery in the
United States. Gastric Bypass surgery can help a
morbidly obese patient lose up to 80 percent of their
excess body weight.
In order to qualify for Gastric Bypass surgery, a person
must be about 100 pounds overweight, or about 80 pounds
overweight with a qualifying weight-related health
condition. After Gastric Bypass surgery, nearly 80
percent of patients with high blood pressure no longer
required medication and over 90 percent of people with
non-insulin dependant type II diabetes no longer
required medication, either. A study of 500 patients in
the year 2000 showed that 96 percent of certain
obesity-related health conditions, including back pain,
sleep apnea, and depression) were improved or resolved
after surgery.
Gastric Bypass surgery via the Roux-en-Y technique is
considered the best surgical treatment for morbid
obesity. In this procedure, stapling creates a small 15
to 20 cc stomach pouch. The remainder of the stomach is
not removed, but it is stapled and divided from the
stomach pouch. The outlet from this newly formed pouch
empties directly into the lower portion of the jejunum,
thus bypassing some calorie absorption. This is done by
dividing the small intestine just beyond the duodenum
for the purpose of bringing it up and constructing a
connection with the newly formed stomach pouch. The
other end is connected into the side of the Roux limb of
the intestine, creating the “Y” shape that gives the
technique its name. The procedure reduces the functional
portion of the patient’s stomach causing the patient to
feel full after eating only a small portion of food. It
also creates a small opening between the stomach and
large intestine, allowing the patient to feel full
longer after each meal.
Gastric Bypass surgery is a medical procedure that
requires careful consideration. Surgery to produce
weight loss is a serious undertaking. Anyone thinking
about undergoing this type of operation should
understand what it involves. Gastric Bypass is not a
miracle cure for obesity and success is possible only
with maximum cooperation and commitment to behavioral
change and medical follow up. This cooperation and
commitment must be carried out for the rest of your
life. Diet and exercise remain essential to the
treatment of obesity, even for patients who choose
weight loss surgery.
Commitment to a Healthy Lifestyle
Bariatric surgery should not be taken lightly and it is
not considered the “easy way out”. A serious commitment
is required with both the Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass and
the Lap Band system. Diet changes and exercise programs
must be implemented in order for bariatric procedures to
be successful. It is also imperative that you see your
surgeon or physician for regularly scheduled follow up
care. Overall, the effectiveness of bariatric surgery
makes it an excellent option for those who are ready to
make a serious commitment to losing their excess weight
and beginning a healthy lifestyle.
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