Bariatrics & Gastric Bypass: Overview
BAPTIST HEALTH: A Bariatric Center of Excellence
BAPTIST HEALTH’s surgery for weight loss program offers a serious commitment to extending the highest level of care available for bariatric weight loss surgery patients. Ongoing support, follow-up care by physicians and staff members and a team of specialists who strive to make patient's experience successful is all part of BAPTIST HEALTH’s dedication to our patients.
For more information about BAPTIST HEALTH’s Bariatric Center, find an upcoming weight-loss surgery seminar that fits your schedule.
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| BAPTIST HEALTH has been designated a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence by the American Society for Bariatric Surgery. |
The Health Risks of Obesity
Obesity is one of America's most serious epidemics. During the past 20 years there has been a dramatic increase in obesity in the United States. In 1995, obesity prevalence in each of the 50 states was less than 20 percent. By 2005, only 4 states had obesity prevalence rates less than 20 percent. That translates to 64 percent of U.S. adults being overweight or obese.
Being overweight increases health risks for:
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Osteoarthritis (a degeneration of cartilage and its underlying bone within a joint)
- Dyslipidemia (for example, high total cholesterol or high levels of triglycerides)
- Type 2 diabetes
- Coronary heart disease
- Stroke
- Gallbladder disease
- Sleep apnea and respiratory problems
- Some cancers (endometrial, breast, and colon)
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| Click to watch the weight-loss surgery video |
Surgery for Weight Loss: What is it, and is it for you?
For most people, a combination of diet and exercise is the best way to lose weight. However, if you've tried everything and still can't shed excess pounds or keep them off, you may want to consider surgery for weight loss.
Weight-loss surgery is also called gastrointestinal or bariatric weight loss surgery and is conducted using two different methods: Roux–en–Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB) and Laparoscopic weight loss surgery.
The surgery is an aid to dieting and assists individuals in altering their eating habits by restricting calorie intake or limiting absorption of ingested food. The treatment is an important health option for some people with severe obesity – those who are 100 pounds more than their ideal weight &ndsash; and/or suffer from weight-related health problems such as type–2 diabetes, heart disease, degenerative joint disease, sleep apnea and hypertension.
Finding out if you are a candidate for bariatric weight loss surgery depends on many aspects of your health; however, one important factor is your Body Mass Index. You can determine your BMI using our calculator below.
Try the free online Body Mass Index Calculator.
What are the risks?
Weight loss surgery isn't for everyone. Whether it’s Laparoscopic weight loss surgery or RYGB, each procedure is associated with medical risks and varies in the anticipated chance of success in losing weight.
The treatment is most risky for men who are extremely obese and for patients older than age 55. Talk to your doctor if you think you may need surgery to lose weight. Together, you can decide if it's the right solution.
Discover more information on the benefits and risks of Bariatric weight loss surgery.
Support is Essential
Most bariatric surgeons agree: ongoing support after surgery leads to the greatest level of success. Support groups give you a great opportunity to discuss personal or professional issues that arise from RYGB and Laparoscopic weight loss surgery or from a history of obesity.