Why Weight?
Take the first step to change your life.
The American Diabetes Association recommends weight loss surgery for anyone who has a BMI greater than 40 and is diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
Are you a candidate? Call 800-379-4178 to speak with a weight-loss navigator today.
Did You Know?
- Bariatric surgery safety profile is comparable to some of the safest and most commonly performed surgeries in the U.S.*
- Patients may lose up to 60% of excess weight six months after surgery and 77% of excess weight as early as 12 months post surgery*
- Bariatric surgery improves or resolves more than 40 obesity-related diseases, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease and sleep apnea*
* Source: American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery
Meet Ally!
Gastric Sleeve surgery patient, down more than 150 pounds a year after surgery.
Before
After
Disclaimer: This is the testimonial of an actual patient. However, results will vary by individual. Weight loss surgery is generally designed for those with a body mass index (BMI) equal to or greater than 40, or equal to or greater than 35 with serious co-morbidities. Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding with the Lap Band® is also FDA-approved for weight loss surgery in people with a BMI of 30 to 35 who have at least one obesity-related condition. Weight loss surgery is considered safe, but like many types of surgery, it does have risks. Consult with your physician about the risks and benefits of weight loss surgery.
Ally's Story
“Life prior to surgery, to sum up in one word would be: difficult. I had a very active job and it became hard to sit down and get back up constantly. Everything hurt and I experienced back and knee pain just doing everyday tasks. Working out wasn’t fun because I couldn’t do it and I got to a point where I was tired all the time. I needed a life change.
Since surgery I have lost over 140 pounds. I set an original weight goal of 180 and I have surpassed that already! Life after surgery has been phenomenal. I can go shopping, work out and take my dogs for a walk. I can do all of this now because my body doesn’t hurt. I can do things. I can move. It’s a whole new life. I walk by mirrors and I still double take and think ‘that’s what I look like’. I am healthy and feel happy about myself.
I feel like finally the person who I always wanted to be on the inside finally matches on the outside and that’s the best part of this. I am who I always wanted to be. Everything after this surgery has been an absolute blessing and my life is completely changed.”
BMI Information
BMI stands for Body Mass Index, and it is a tool to measure mass based on your weight in relation to your height. Your BMI can help gauge your risk of certain diseases that can occur in people who have a higher percentage of body mass. The higher your BMI, the higher your risk may be. A BMI of 40 is about 80 to 100 pounds over “normal” weight.
Am I a candidate for bariatric surgery?
To qualify for bariatric surgery an individual must:
- Have a BMI of 40 or greater.
- Have a BMI of 35-39, with significant obesity-related medical conditions such as:
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea
- Cardiovascular disease
BMI Calculator
Bariatric Procedures
The most common bariatric surgery procedures are gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, adjustable gastric band, and biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch. Each surgery has its own advantages and disadvantages.
*Most common Bariatric procedure is the Sleeve Gastrectomy accounting for 70 % weight loss operations in US and worldwide, followed by Gastric Bypass 17%. Lap bands are rare today at 1%.
The Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy – often called the sleeve – is performed by removing approximately 80 percent of the stomach. The remaining stomach is a tubular pouch that resembles a banana.
This procedure works by several mechanisms. First, the new stomach pouch holds a considerably smaller volume than the normal stomach and helps to significantly reduce the amount of food (and thus calories) that can be consumed. The greater impact, however, seems to be the effect the surgery has on gut hormones that impact a number of factors including hunger, satiety, and blood sugar control.
Short term studies show that the sleeve is as effective as the roux-en-Y gastric bypass in terms of weight loss and improvement or remission of diabetes. There is also evidence that suggests the sleeve, similar to the gastric bypass, is effective in improving type 2 diabetes independent of the weight loss. The complication rates of the sleeve fall between those of the adjustable gastric band and the roux-en-y gastric bypass.
The Adjustable Gastric Band – often called the band – involves an inflatable band that is placed around the upper portion of the stomach, creating a small stomach pouch above the band, and the rest of the stomach below the band.
The common explanation of how this device works is that with the smaller stomach pouch, eating just a small amount of food will satisfy hunger and promote the feeling of fullness. The feeling of fullness depends upon the size of the opening between the pouch and the remainder of the stomach created by the gastric band. The size of the stomach opening can be adjusted by filling the band with sterile saline, which is injected through a port placed under the skin.
Reducing the size of the opening is done gradually over time with repeated adjustments or “fills.” The notion that the band is a restrictive procedure (works by restricting how much food can be consumed per meal and by restricting the emptying of the food through the band) has been challenged by studies that show the food passes rather quickly through the band, and that absence of hunger or feeling of being satisfied was not related to food remaining in the pouch above the band. What is known is that there is no malabsorption; the food is digested and absorbed as it would be normally.
(Content source: American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery)
If you have had complications from a gastric band or ring or from a previous bariatric procedure, make an appointment to discuss how we can help you. We are highly trained and experienced at helping those who have had problems with previous bariatric surgery.
(Content source: American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery)
Payment Options
Weight-loss solutions are covered by most major insurance providers. Coverage varies, depending on your policy. We also offer financing for competitive cash pay prices.
