Valley Baptist Medical Center is now offering Bariatric surgery, a treatment option for patients who have a serious weight problem and who have failed at other methods of weight loss. This surgery has a number of names: weight loss surgery, obesity surgery, stomach stapling, and gastric restrictive surgery. Valley Baptist has a dedicated Bariatric Surgery team who work together treating this devastating illness. What is Obesity?

Today, 97 million American, more than one-third of the adult population, are overweight or obese. An estimated 5 to 10 million of those are considered morbidly obese. Obesity results from the excessive accumulation of fat that exceeds the body’s skeletal and physical standards. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), an increase in 20 percent or more above your “ideal body weight” is the point at which excess weight becomes a health risk.

Obesity becomes “morbid” when it reaches the point of significantly increasing the risk of one or more obesity-related health conditions or serious diseases that result either in significant physical disability or even death. Morbid obesity is typically defined as being 100lbs. or more over ideal body weight, having a Body Mass Index of 40 or higher, or a BMI over 35 with other illnesses such as diabetes or heath disease. According to the National Institutes of Health Consensus Report, morbid obesity is a serious disease and must be treated as such. It is a chronic disease, meaning that its symptoms build slowly over an extended period of time.

Health threats of Morbid Obesity

Morbid obesity brings with it an increased risk for a shorter life expectancy. For individuals whose weight exceeds twice their ideal body weight (that’s about 2 to 6% of the U.S. population), the risk of an early death is doubled compared to non-obese individuals. The risk of death from diabetes or heart attack is 5 to 7 times greater. Even beyond the issue of obesity-related health conditions, weight gain alone can lead to a condition known as “end-stage” obesity where, for the most part, no treatment options are available. Yet an early death is not the only potential consequence. Social, psychological and economic effects of morbid obesity, however unfair, are real and can be especially devastating.

Obesity related health conditions

• Type 2 Diabetes
• High Blood Pressure/Heart Disease
• Osteoarthritis of weight bearing joints
• Sleep Apnea/Respiratory problems
• Gastroesophageal reflux/Heartburn
• Gallbladder
• Depression
• Infertility
• Skin Breakdown
• Swollen legs/Skin ulcers
• Urinary stress incontinence
• Menstrual irregularities
• Lower extremity venous stasis
• Ideopathic intracranial hypertension
• Dyslipidemia (lipid metabolism abnormalities)
• Pulmonary embolus
• Pancreatitis

Options

Weight loss surgery is major surgery. Its growing use to treat morbid obesity is the result of three factors:

• Our current knowledge of the significant health risks of morbid obesity
• The relatively low risk and complications of the procedures versus not having the surgery
• The ineffectiveness of current non-surgical approaches to produce sustained weight loss.

Surgery should be viewed first and foremost as a method for alleviating debilitating disease. In many cases, the minimum qualifications for consideration as a candidate for the procedure is 100lbs. above ideal body weight, those with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or more or a having a BMI over 35 with preexisting illnesses, for further information on Ideal Body Weight or BMI look under Health A to Z or on our homepage.

Many patients, after the procedure, enjoy an improvement in health conditions with the majority of associated illnesses becoming much easier to control and some resolving. An improvement in mobility, self-image, and self-esteem are also seen, but should not be the motive for having the operation. The goal is to achieve a better, healthier and longer life. The patient should only make the decision to have weight loss surgery after careful consideration and consultation with a bariatric surgeon. It is, however, important to remember that there are no guarantees in any kind of medicine or surgery and unexpected outcomes may happen in the simplest of procedures. As with all medical surgery treatments there are possible risks and complications, but overall obesity surgery is a safe and highly effective procedure. Ultimately, the decision is up to the patient. A low fat, low sugar, low calorie diet, and routine exercise will help a patient make this surgery a success. Interdisciplinary hospital team

Valley Baptist Medical Center believes that a whole team effort by the hospital staff makes this procedure and recovery much easier for the patient. As a result, we have a trained team of people to make every aspect of care the best it can be.

Features of weight loss surgery

• Major Weight Loss
• Short hospital stay
• Minimal Blood Loss
• Very High Patient Satisfaction
• Low Failure Rate
• Rapid Return to Work
• Durable weight loss
• Performed as part of an extensive program of education
• Follow-up is required by the bariatric surgeon with optional Support Group participation

Risks and/or Complications

Bariatric surgery is not a cosmetic operation and does carry risks and possible complications which include infection, bleeding, hernias, ulcers, and calcium and iron deficiency. The risks for the surgery are the same as for any other abdominal procedure; however the benefits far outweigh the risks.

If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about this surgery and attending one of our educational seminars, please contact
The Obesity Center of South Texas at (956) 440-9110.