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The Bottom Line about Weight Loss Surgery
by Dr. Laura L. Machado
With ever increasing numbers of obese Americans, many afflicted with the
disease are searching for a permanent cure. Weight loss surgery continues to grow in the United States and is expected to become the most commonly performed abdominal operation in the next five years.
Obesity is currently the largest health problem facing Americans today and results in hundreds of thousands of premature deaths. Obese individuals suffer from markedly elevated rates of diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer, and numerous other medical problems. Obesity is spreading to our children, now one in four American children is overweight.
Obesity becomes life threatening at severe levels, described by a calculated number called the body mass index (BMI). When a person’s BMI is at 40, this computes to being approximately 100 pounds above ideal body weight. Surgery is considered for patients when the BMI is 35 or greater.
Weight loss surgery has received much press in the recent years, but many misconceptions still exist. Obesity surgery is NOT cosmetic surgery. Obesity surgery requires dedication and a well structured program of resources in order for patients to experience long-term success. Surgery is NOT the easy way out.
Gastric bypass surgery is the most commonly performed operation for obesity in the United States. This operation transforms the stomach into a small “pouch” which holds less than one ounce. A rearrangement of the small intestine results in hormonal changes which decrease appetite. This procedure is well tested and has a long track record of good results. The average patient can lose 66-75% of excess body weight in the first year following the procedure. Patients who remain dedicated to permanent dietary and lifestyle changes experience long-term success and improved health and longevity.
The Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band (Lap-Band) is a newer device that was FDA approved in 2001. This is a adjustable silicone band that is placed around the upper portion of the stomach. The tightness is adjusted by injecting saline solution in the office setting. The device restricts the meal size that a person eats, resulting in decreased calorie consumption and weight loss. The Lap-Band is newer and long-term results in American patients are not available yet. Weight loss is more gradual with the device. A selling point for many patients is that the procedure is much less invasive and no permanent changes to a person’s anatomy are performed. The Lap-Band has been used for greater that 10 years in Australia with numerous studies describing excellent long-term results.
The Bottom Line about Weight Loss Surgery Programs
Deciding to undergo weight loss surgery is a major turning point for most patients. The second decision is who should perform their surgery. Unlike other operative procedures, weight loss surgery requires a lifetime of dedication on the part of the patient and the surgeon.
The American Society of Bariatric Surgery has set forth strict guidelines as to who is best suited to perform this complex surgery. Patients should seek out surgeons who have developed a comprehensive program of resources. Bariatric programs should have such resources as nurse practitioners, dieticians, exercise physiologists, Bariatric coordinators, support groups, and online support services for patients.
A comprehensive program should have a well-developed pathway that prospective patients follow, both before and after surgery. Navigation through the insurance approval process should be explained well in advance of charges. The breakdown of costs and services should also be clear to prospective patients.
Not all programs or surgeons are created equal. Respected programs have surgeons which are considered leaders in their field, participate in teaching other surgeons, perform research, and track their own results and should be willing to share this information with others.
Sacramento Bariatric Medical Associates was founded by Dr. Laura Machado in 2003. Dr. Machado and Dr. Bruce Wolfe perform Bariatric surgery at Mercy San Juan Medical Center in Carmichael, California. They have developed a comprehensive program of patient resources that is not matched in the northern California area. Their program performs Bariatric surgery as well as highly advanced revisional surgery for patients who have been treated elsewhere. They have a track record of excellent results due to their dedicated team of professionals. For more information,
please go to www.connectednow.com/bypass
More information can be obtained from their website,
www.sacbariatric.com
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