Weight Loss Surgery

Bassett Healthcare Network Bariatric Surgical Weight Loss Program

As documented by both popular press and extensive scientific evidence, obesity has become a growing health problem in the United States. According to recent National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) between one-third and one-half of US men and women aged 20 years and older are overweight and nearly a quarter are clinically obese. Obesity is defined as a Body Mass Index (BMI) of greater than 30. Obesity becomes clinically severe obesity at the point of being 100 lbs. or more above ideal body weight, or a BMI of 40 or greater. According to the National Institutes of Health Consensus Report (March 1991) clinically severe obesity is a serious disease and must be treated as such. Sustained weight loss for this group is hard to achieve.

Research confirms that clinically severe obesity is a complex, multifactorial chronic disease. The American Society for Bariatric Surgery in its "Rationale for the Surgical Treatment of Morbid Obesity" indicated that weight loss surgery has demonstrated the longest period of sustained weight loss for patients in whom all other therapies have failed. In addition, the surgery has been found to lead to improvement of or better control of many obesity related health conditions. Most experts, in both medical and surgical fields, feel that the treatment of obesity should have a multidisciplinary approach. When surgery is the only option for long-term weight loss an integrated program that provides guidance on diet, physical activity and psychosocial concerns before and after surgery is necessary.

Treatment Options
For initial management, conservative options like controlled calorie diets along with behavior therapy and exercise should be attempted. However, long term results with these strategies are disappointing. Studies have shown that only 5-10 percent of subjects who were successful in losing a substantial amount of weight maintains the weight loss for more then a few years. Non-surgical weight loss programs combine diet, behavior modification and exercise. The National Institute of Health figures indicate that 90 percent of those successful with these programs regain their weight within a year.

Through a multidisciplinary collaborative approach, the goal of the Bariatric Team at Bassett Healthcare Network is to evaluate and prepare candidates for weight loss surgery in an effort to assist them in achieving long-term weight loss and improvement or resolution of their obesity related health problems.

Weight Loss Surgery may be an option if

Your BMI is greater than or equal to 40.
Your BMI is BMI greater than or equal to 35 with at least one obesity related health condition.
You are 18 or older.
You have a history of repeated failure of non-surgical attempts to control your weight.

Candidates must have realistic expectations, be motivated, and able to conform to the strict post-op dietary program.

Surgical Options
This program offers laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, LAP-BAND^® adjustable gastric banding, and sleeve gastrectomy procedures. We welcome you to explore these options with us if you are interested.

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