Why Weight Loss Surgery?

The latest statistics from the National Health Institute shows that more than 50 percent of the adult population in the United States is overweight.

Current statistics reveal that nearly 25 percent of the population is obese.

Obesity is defined as being 100 pounds over your ideal weight. The formula for defining obesity is called the Body Mass Index or BMI. To calculate your BMI go to Is Surgery Right For Me?

 

Using the Body Mass Index Used to determine if you qualify for surgery Measures obesity based on weight and height.

Obesity has many adverse effects on your medical and psychological well being.

• Major psychiatric diagnoses are the same as the rest of the population
• Morbidly obese have a higher incidence of:
  ▪ Low self esteem
  ▪ Depression
  ▪ Self-hatred
  ▪ Anger

Obesity can lead to premature death and is responsible for 300,000 deaths per year.

Death and Obesity 2nd leading cause of preventable death Approximately 300,000 deaths/yr Morbidly obese die 10 to 15 years earlier   Source: ASBS, 1997

Americans spend $100 billion dollars annually on weight related diseases and another $100 billion dollars on weight-loss products and services.
 

Morbid Obesity has adverse effects on the quality of your life as well as your health. Studies show that pre-mature death is 2 to 12 times higher in obese individuals compared to those without a weight problem.

Obese individuals often suffer from social and emotional discrimination, depression, as well as decreased energy and mobility.

Some of the additional health risks include: asthma, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea and infertility.

The benefits of weight loss are:

• Live longer
• Live happier
  ▪ Social acceptance
  ▪ Improved self esteem
  ▪ Move easier
• Live healthier
  ▪ Medical problems associated with obesity tend to completely resolve or get substantially better after surgery
  ▪Bariatric surgery reduces cancer risk (read more)
  
   

If you are obese, there are several key factors to keep in mind when making a decision as to managing your weight.

• Bariatric surgery is the only proven long-term method of weight loss for individuals 100 or more pounds overweight
• Diet, exercise and behavior modification result in only a 10 percent long-term weight loss
• Patients are able to maintain their weight loss after surgery. Studies show that:
• The average weight loss after gastric bypass surgery is:
  ▪ 75% of excess weight after 1-2 years
  ▪ 55-65% of excess weight after 5-10 years
• The average weight loss after LAP-BAND®, surgery is:
  ▪ 60% average excess weight loss after 5-6 years