Bariatric surgery is a gastrointestinal surgery for obesity. This is not a cosmetic procedure, it is an option for persons who are severely obese and cannot lose weight by traditional means or who have serious obesity-related health problems. The surgery promotes weight loss by restricting food intake and, in some cases, interrupting the digestive process.
If you are thinking about bariatric surgery and are having doubts about whether it is right for you, you’re not alone. Bariatric surgery is a life-changing procedure, and making that decision requires knowledge. Our goal is to support you with valuable, accurate information about bariatric surgery; we want you to know the facts.
Bariatric surgery continues to benefit people struggling with morbid obesity worldwide. It is a preventative intervention that interrupts the co-morbid disease processes from their end-stage, life-threatening effects. Thus, bariatric surgery saves lives. Recent studies show that bariatric surgery patients are living longer lives than morbidly obese individuals. Hence the true risks of weight loss surgery are in being morbidly obese and doing nothing at all.
If traditional weight loss methods have not worked, weight loss surgery may be the right answer for you.
Click HERE to download the Comprehensive Bariatric Surgery Guide by AutoSuture.
Body mass index, or BMI, is a calculation of total body fat based on your height and weight. It is used to determine whether you are underweight, overweight or at a healthy weight. A high BMI can alert you to potential health risks associated with your weight, such as type-2 diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure), sleep apnea and cardiovascular disease.
BMI calculations do not take into account factors such as muscle mass and pregnancy. Measuring waist circumference indicates the amount of abdominal fat you have, and can help you and your doctor more accurately assess how much of your weight is fat. Men with a waist measurement exceeding 40 inches are considered at risk. Women are at risk with a waist measurement of 35 inches or greater.
Morbid obesity is recognized as a lifelong chronic disease by the medical community and is associated with many other diseases and conditions, known as co-morbidities. Studies show that weight loss is important in effectively improving or resolving existing conditions or preventing future health problems.
Bariatric surgery can effectively improve and resolve many weight-related health conditions such as:
Co-morbidities can be expensive to treat and are frequently significantly damaging to an individual’s physical and mental health. Weight loss has been shown to provide both socioeconomic and psychological benefits.
Click HERE to download Risks & Benefits of Bariatric Surgery: Current Evidence
As with any surgery, there are immediate and long-term complications and risks. Possible risks and side effects can include, but are not limited to:
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In some patients, the laparoscopic, or minimally invasive, approach to surgery cannot be used. Here are reasons why you may have an open procedure, or that may lead Dr. Morris to switch during the procedure from laparoscopic to open:
The following forms can be downloaded to your computer and printed at home. By filling out these forms ahead of time, you will save a significant amount of time during your visit. Please be prepared to provide this information to our office along with your current medical insurance information. If you have any questions when filling out these forms, please do the best you can and our staff will assist you with your questions on the day of your visit.
