We tend to think that if someone is overweight, their issue is just a matter of self-control. If they would just eat less, we think, they would be able to lose the weight they need to lose.
For a variety of reasons, though, this is not always the case. Losing weight is a difficult, if not impossible, challenge for many people. If you are significantly overweight despite all your best efforts, or you’re dealing with health risks related to your weight, you may be a good candidate for weight loss surgery (also called bariatric surgery).
Dr. Aliu Sanni at Eastside Bariatric & General Surgery offers minimally invasive bariatric surgeries, including gastric balloon, gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, and adjustable Lap-Band® to help you lose weight and reduce your health risks. Here’s more information to help you determine if you are a good candidate for weight loss surgery.
Weight loss surgeries typically help you lose weight by physically limiting the amount of food your stomach can contain (gastric sleeve surgery) or by reducing the number of calories your body takes in — this can be done by bypassing or shortening part of your small intestine (gastric bypass).
Dr. Sanna performs bariatric surgeries in a minimally invasive way by using the da Vinci® robotic surgical system to bring a high level of precision even through small incisions. Also, If you have had a weight loss procedure in the past and aren’t seeing results anymore, he can also perform revision weight loss surgery using these techniques.
Research shows that weight loss surgery is indeed effective. If you were a good candidate for weight loss surgery to begin with, you may lose 30-50% of your excess weight within six months and more than 75% within a year after surgery.
Many patients are worried about the long-term effects, but the research also showed that recipients could maintain 50-60% of their initial weight loss for 10-14 years. Your odds of success are much higher if you have good support from friends or family and good overall health.
Successful weight loss surgery has also been shown to reduce the risk you face of with several serious medical conditions, such as:
Weight loss surgery is not designed for people who just want to lose a few pounds. It’s intended as a last resort for people who are obese and can’t lose weight any other way.. Having an obesity-related health condition such as sleep apnea, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, or heart disease, may also make you a good candidate.
To be eligible for weight loss surgery, you also need to be able and willing to change your lifestyle, including eating a more nutritious diet and increasing your exercise, for optimal results and long-term maintenance.
Bariatric surgery may not be a good option if you have a mental illness, can’t safely undergo minimally invasive surgery, or feel unable or unwilling to quit smoking.
To learn more about weight loss surgery or find out if you qualify for this treatment, call our office or request an appointment through our website.
