MORBID OBESITY

Morbid Obesity is a medical condition where body weight has exceeded healthy limits and produces life-limiting problems. The National Institute of Health recognizes that morbid obesity is a major health concern affecting millions of patients in the United States. Morbid obesity leads to health problems such as sleep apnea, lung disorders, diabetes, bladder stress incontinence, heartburn, hernias, arthritis, spine problems, heart disease, heart failure, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, depression, cancer and many others. Overall, medical conditions are more difficult to treat and the risk of dying from emergency situations or from other operations is higher. For these reasons, it is recognized that people who are morbidly obese have a statistically shorter lifespan; in fact, obesity is the second leading cause of preventable death.

Morbid obesity not only affects physical health, but also emotional well-being. It can lead to depression, social rejection and discrimination. Many morbidly obese individuals are judged by their outward appearance before they are able to express their true selves.

Morbid obesity also has major impact on a person’s daily life. Normal activities such as walking, driving a car or climbing stairs can become daunting tasks. Depending on the degree of obesity, people may require special equipment to function in everyday life.

All these factors come together and make it difficult for morbidly obese individuals to enjoy a high quality of life. Here at Texas Center for Obesity Surgery, we want to help patients overcome the physical barriers standing in the way of a satisfying, fulfilling life.

People often ask when bariatric surgery (such as the LAP BAND procedure and the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass) should be considered a viable treatment for morbid obesity. This is a big question for patients and doctors alike. Whenever obesity has reached a point where a person’s health is at risk and other measures have failed, it is time to think about surgery. It is a difficult decision to make; there are many failures and horror stories associated with the surgical treatment of obesity. Fortunately these problems are rare, but the decision to undergo a bariatric surgical procedure should not be taken lightly. Patients who are more than 100 pounds over their ideal body weight or have a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 40 are candidates for the surgery. Certain patients with a BMI between 35 and 40 with co-morbid health conditions are also considered candidates.

Patients must have the motivation and willingness to make the necessary changes in eating habits and activity. If you are considering the LAP BAND procedure and bariatric surgery as the “magic bullet” to solve all the problems in your life, take a step back and think again. If you think bariatric surgery will make you look better in your clothes or you just want to lose 20 or 30 pounds then a bariatric procedure is not the choice. Bariatric surgery (the LAP BAND procedure and the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass) is reserved for patients in the morbidly obese category who have failed all other weight loss attempts and whose weight poses serious risk to their long-term health.

The decision to undergo weight loss surgery is yours. Because of the mental and physical effort required on your part to achieve success, your decision should be made only after careful thought and discussion with your family and loved ones. It is the desire of all those who participate in your care to assist you with your decision.

To learn more about the types of bariatric surgery offered at Texas Center for Obesity Surgery, including the less invasive and adjustable LAP-BAND procedure, call to schedule an appointment today, (972) 981-8440.