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Surgical
Weight Loss - All Things Considered
The
most important step in weight loss surgery is getting all the information
you need about the entire process. From the initial education session
to the follow-up visits, the Surgical Weight Loss Services at Our Lady
of Bellefonte Hospital are designed to provide patients access to a
quality service that can lead to better health, an improved quality
of life, and an increased life expectancy.
Health Risks of Obesity
Severe obesity causes a growing number of significant health problems.
It is defined as being 100 pounds or more above an individual’s
ideal body weight. The condition can be caused by family history, an
inactive lifestyle, or a high-calorie diet. Regardless of the cause,
severe obesity is often accompanied by health-altering conditions, such
as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, asthma, sleeping problems,
arthritis, and several types of cancer.
Additionally, being severely obese has serious psychological and social
effects including disapproval from family and friends and being self-conscious.
Repeated over a period of time, these experiences can result in an understandable
feeling of depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. At OLBH, healthcare
professionals provide education about the seriousness of this disease
and the need to bring change to the way it is viewed and the way it
is treated.
The most appropriate treatment for patients who are severely obese must
be based on the risks and benefits of medical versus surgical intervention.
Surgical treatment of obesity may be considered when the risk of obesity-related
medical problems exceeds the risk of complications to surgery.
The Surgical Option
Bariatric surgeons have the expertise to surgically eliminate excess
body weight, which ultimately results in a significant reduction in
the risk factors associated with the disease. Today’s bariatric
surgeons have access to substantial clinical data to help determine
which surgeries should be used and why.
The Surgical Weight Loss Services at OLBH include two options of gastric
bypass surgery - mini-incision and laparoscopic. While each approach
has associated risks and advantages, it is best to work one-on-one with
your surgeon to determine the best option for your condition.
Benefits of Surgery
“As patients lose significant amounts of weight, they find that
they have more energy and their shortness of breath disappears,”
Mark Pack, OLBH general surgeon, stated. “With progressive weight
loss, patients begin to feel proud of the new shape their body is attaining.
The feelings of self-consciousness and shame are gradually replaced
by feelings of confidence and self-control. All of this begins just
a few months after surgery.”
The success of a gastric bypass operation is measured by how effectively
patients maintain weight loss. “Typically, most patients lose
approximately 70 percent of their body weight during the first year
following surgery,” Dr. Pack noted. “However, treatment
does not stop here. Surgical weight loss is not a magical fix. It requires
a long-term commitment to diet and exercise to achieve a healthier life.”
Possible Side Effects of Surgery
The majority of surgical weight loss side effects are due to a significant
amount of weight lost in a short period of time. The same side effects
often occur in individuals who have been successful at losing weight
without surgery. Possible side effects of weight loss surgery may include
thinning hair, nausea, loss of muscle mass, excess skin, and gallstones.
Surgical weight loss is more than a cosmetic surgery; it can significantly
reduce the risk of death caused by complications from morbid obesity.
To gain more knowledge about this progressive intervention, register
for the upcoming OLBH Surgical Weight Loss Community Education Session
by calling the CareLine at (606) 833-CARE (2273).
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