Morbid obesity is a serious health problem that has grown to epidemic proportions in the past 20 years. It is now the number one cause of preventable death for people in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are approximately 60 million adults in America who are considered morbidly obese. This medical condition occurs when an individual has a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more, or at least 100 pounds of excess body weight. Morbid obesity may be caused by a variety of factors and can lead to many physical and emotional problems.
Obesity occurs as a result of a constant energy imbalance. More specifically, people gain weight when they consume calories more quickly than they are able to burn them off. There is no single explanation as to why this happens; the process can stem from a variety of reasons, including genetic, environmental, psychological, and physical factors.
An individual’s genetic makeup can have a huge influence on that person’s ideal body weight. Genetics have been proven to be the cause of obesity in people with certain disorders such as Prader-Willi syndrome or Bardet-Biedl syndrome. But while obesity appears to run in the family, certain uninherited factors, such as a shared lifestyle and family eating habits, can also play a major role. As a result, genetics cannot be viewed as the sole cause of weight gain.
Individual lifestyle choices may play an even bigger role in making individuals susceptible to weight gain. Regular exercise, for example, is an important part of staying in shape; however, many people fail to get their recommended amount of physical activity. Bad eating habits, meanwhile, can also contribute to weight gain, and many popular foods contain large amounts of calories, sugar, and fat. Although people are encouraged to read nutrition labels, many do not. These and other daily decisions can contribute to weight gain and, eventually, to morbid obesity.
Certain diseases can play a huge role in weight gain. These include Cushing’s disease, hypothyroidism, and polycystic ovary syndrome. Also, some medications have been seen to contribute to excessive weight gain. Doctors can tell you if certain prescriptions could have an effect on your eating patterns or metabolism. Various psychological factors may also cause an individual to eat more than normal. Some individuals, for example, are inclined to eat more under stressful and traumatic conditions, while others tend to eat more than usual when they are bored or depressed.
All of these factors can play major or minor roles when it comes to weight gain. If it isn't dealt with, being overweight can ultimately lead to morbid obesity and the emotional and physical problems related to that condition.
Morbid obesity can have a major psychological impact, causing a great deal of emotional suffering and pain. Often, society stigmatizes and discriminates against individuals suffering from obesity, resulting in depression, shame, lowered self-esteem and feelings of rejection.
There are also many physical effects associated with morbid obesity. Besides making mobility and physical activity more difficult, obesity can increase the risk of more than 30 serious medical conditions, including stroke, diabetes, sleep apnea, hypertension, high cholesterol, and more. The more overweight an individual is, the higher his or her risk for developing one of these conditions. Adolescents suffering from morbid obesity also have a greater risk of developing a severe health condition. Fortunately, studies show that reducing body weight by at least 5 percent can greatly reduce the risk of an obesity-related medical condition. With bariatric surgery, people suffering from morbid obesity can enjoy a brand-new start to a healthy life.
Bariatric surgery is an increasingly popular procedure used to treat individuals with morbid obesity. A major gastrointestinal operation, it aims at substantially reducing a person’s weight. There are three types of bariatric surgery: restrictive, malabsorptive, and restrictive-malabsorptive. In each case, the type used depends on the condition and needs of the individual patient.
Restrictive bariatric surgery involves restricting food intake by closing off parts of the stomach to make it smaller, thus decreasing the amount of food that can be eaten before an individual feels full. The LAP-BAND® System is an example of this type of surgery, which uses a band to create a smaller stomach pouch so patients become fuller faster.
Malabsorptive bariatric surgery works to restrict the amount of calories that can be absorbed by the body. The procedure involves redirecting digested food away from the top section of the small intestine, where most of the absorption takes place. An example of this type of surgery is a biliopancreatic diversion, where part of the stomach is removed, and the remaining part of the stomach is connected to the lower end of the small intestine.
Restrictive-malabsorptive bariatric surgery is a combination of the other two procedures, making it one of the most effective treatments for obesity. Gastric bypass is an example of this type of surgery, which involves restricting the size of the stomach and modifying the small intestine to limit absorption.
All of these procedures work differently on various types of people. Dr. González offers a variety of bariatric techniques at his practice, including sleeve gastrectomy, intragastric balloon treatment, the LAP-BAND® System, and gastric bypass surgery. Working together, you will be able to determine which procedure will most benefit you. Contact our practice to schedule an appointment.
Bariatric surgery is a serious, life-changing procedure that produces different results for every patient. For this reason, bariatric weight-loss surgery is not recommended for everyone suffering from obesity. In order to be a candidate for bariatric surgery, individuals must meet three requirements:
Although drastic weight loss is one of the main benefits of the operation, individuals considering bariatric surgery should not let that be their main motivation in undergoing treatment. Bariatric surgery provides a new beginning to a healthy life, but the surgery alone cannot fix all obesity-related problems. Patients must be willing to make the necessary lifestyle changes that go along with the procedure in order to improve their health. Dr. González can help you determine if you are a good candidate for bariatric weight-loss surgery. Contact our practice today to schedule a consultation.
Recovery from bariatric surgery usually depends on the technique used and the overall physical condition of the patient. Patients usually stay in the hospital for a few days following weight-loss surgery. After that, they are expected to schedule follow-up appointments for up to two years to help them recover successfully.
In order to maintain the weight-loss resulting from bariatric surgery, patients must make dramatic adjustments to their lifestyle. Dr. González will provide patients with strict guidelines to follow after surgery to promote a speedy recovery and to help them maintain their results.
Permanent changes in both diet and exercise are important following bariatric surgery. Patients should stick to the customized diet and exercise plan given to them by Dr. González, and be especially careful about the types of foods they eat, since their stomachs become considerably smaller after surgery. Some people may not be able to tolerate certain foods well, and overeating may cause nausea.
Another important part of the recovery process is moral support. Bariatric weight-loss surgery is an important life-changing procedure that affects not only the patient, but also the patient’s loved ones. In order to ensure the best emotional recovery for everyone involved, issues that existed before the operation as well as issues on coping with a new lifestyle after surgery should be addressed. Patients and their loved ones are encouraged to join support groups to make emotional healing easier. Studies show those who participate in support groups after surgery are more successful in recovery than those who do not. Lifestyle changes and emotional support will help the patient and the patient’s loved ones enjoy a successful recovery.
Patients can enjoy a better quality of life following bariatric weight-loss surgery. On average, patients maintain a loss of about 60 percent of their excess body weight following surgery. Bariatric surgery can also eliminate many health problems, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and high cholesterol, among others.
Although bariatric surgery allows patients to lose significant amounts of weight, some people experience loose, excess skin in certain areas instead of the tight, toned appearance they may have expected from their procedure. These excess folds of skin may make them feel uncomfortable, despite their generally improved figure. Fortunately, individuals in this situation can opt for body lift surgery. A body lift is a form of plastic surgery that is usually performed on the lower half of the body to smooth out its contours. Recovery from body lift surgery may take several weeks. However, many patients find the procedure to be the most effective way to eliminate loose skin after extreme weight loss.
For more information on obesity or bariatric surgery, contact Centro de Medicina Avanzada Dr. Abel González today. We will be happy to schedule a consultation for you with our bariatric surgeon.
Dr. Abel R. Gonzalez
Abraham Lincoln #953
Santo Domingo
Dominican Republic
Toll Free: 1.866.410.3533
Direct: 1.809.540.2278
Fx: 1.809.541.2303
Before and after photos of Dr. Abel R. Gonzalez’s patients.