Obesity
2. What options are available for obese patients?
3. How does the metabolic testing and nutritional counseling work?
4. Who should consider Bariatric Surgery?
5. What is Gastric Bypass and how does it work?
6. What is the Laparoscopic Adjustable Band (LAP-Band®) and how does it work?
1. How do you quantify obesity? Back to Top
Obesity is determined by your Body Mass Index, which is calculates as follows: Wt / (Ht)2 X 703. A BMI of 35 - 39.9 with comorbidites is considered obese, and a BMI > 40 with or without comorbidites is also considered obese.
2. What options are available for obese patients? Back to Top
For individuals interested in a non-surgical approach, metabolic testing and nutritional counseling can be successful. For individuals looking for a surgical option, there is gastric bypass and LAP-BAND® surgery.
3. How does the metabolic testing and nutritional counseling work? Back to Top
The metabolic test is a state-of-the-art breathing test that determines how many calories you burn in a day at rest: your resting metabolic rate. Your metabolic rate is then used to calculate your target caloric zones which will help you lose weight. With this information, a nutritional counselor will educate you on how to eat accordingly in order to not exceed a daily caloric intake, while making healthy lifestyle choices.
4. Who should consider Bariatric Surgery? Back to Top
Anyone who is significantly overweight that has tried losing weight without success should qualify.
5. What is Gastric Bypass and how does it work? Back to Top
Gastric bypass operations combine the creation of a small stomach pouch to restrict food intake and the construction of bypasses of the duodenum and other segments of the small intestine to decrease the ability to absorb nutrients from food. By restricting food intake, patients consume less food and consume fewer calories, thereby effectively losing weight. This surgery option requires a patient to make a life-long commitment to adapt to a modified, and restricted diet.
6. What is the Laparoscopic Adjustable Band (LAP-Band®) and how does it work? Back to Top
The LAP-BAND is an adjustable gastric band designed to help you lose weight, improve overall health issues caused by excess weight gain, and improve a patient's overall quality of life. By reducing stomach capacity, a patient is restricted in the amount of food to be consumed, and gains a longer lasting feeling of fullness. The sensation of fullness to many overweight patients is the key to their success.
As a minimally invasive procedure, the Adjustable Gastric Lap-Band is placed around the upper third portion of the stomach to create a new pouch. The hollow band is adjustable, and can be modified by your physician based on your progressive weight loss. Adjustments to the LAP-Band vary depending on the needs of the patient.