What is Obesity?

Obesity Overview

More than 8 million people in the U.S. suffer from clinically severe or morbid obesity, a chronic disease with numerous medical, psychological, social, and economic consequences. Morbid Obesity is defined as an excess weight of 100 lbs. or more over a person's ideal body weight or a BMI of 40 or more. The BMI (Body Mass Index) is a weight and height calculation (weight in kilograms divided by height in inches squared) which helps determine weight-related health risks of diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, joint problems, etc. Weight loss can reduce these risks, improve health and enhance quality of life. However, numerous studies have demonstrated that diets and weight-loss aids do not succeed in helping morbidly obese people achieve long-term weight loss. Many people have succeeded in losing weight only to regain it when they stop dieting or once they reach a weight loss plateau.

Types of Obesity Surgery

When diets, exercise programs, and other non-surgical methods fail, patients may want to consider weight loss (Bariatric) surgery. There are several types of operations to treat obesity. They can be classified as restrictive or malabsorptive, and some surgeries are a combination of both.
Two of the more common weight loss surgeries performed in the U.S. are the Gastric Bypass (combination) and Vertical Banded Gastroplasty (restrictive), a.k.a. “stomach stapling”. The Gastric Bypass involves cutting, stapling and rerouting of anatomy to limit how the body can absorb nutrients and restrict the amount of food a person can consume. The Vertical Banded Gastroplasty creates a small pouch by stapling the stomach and placing a non-adjustable ring around the outlet of the new pouch.

LAP-BAND

The LAP-BAND system is the newest and the only adjustable surgical treatment for morbid obesity in the U.S. The LAP-BAND® System surgery is a restrictive procedure that involves placing an adjustable silicone band around the upper part of the stomach to limit how much food the stomach can hold.
The LAP-BAND System Advantage Compared to gastric bypass and stomach stapling, the LAP-BAND System is the safest, least invasive and only adjustable obesity surgery option in the U.S. It has been the standard of care worldwide, with over 250,000 procedures performed to date.

• LAP-BAND is safer and healthier than other obesity surgeries because surgical risks and the risk of nutritional deficiencies are significantly lower. In fact, the mortality risk is 10 times lower with the LAP-BAND than with the gastric bypass. With the LAP-BAND, the body’s physiology stays intact and all the food’s nutrients are fully absorbed.
  
• LAP-BAND surgery is the least invasive and least traumatic procedure. Unlike gastric bypass and stomach stapling, it does not require cutting, stapling or rearranging of the stomach or intestines. The advantages of the minimally invasive approach include reduced patient pain, shorter hospital stay and quicker recovery.
  
• The LAP-BAND System is the only adjustable Bariatric procedure available in the United States, allowing for individualized patient treatment and slow, steady long-term weight loss.

For more information about the LAP-BAND or to find out if you or someone you know can benefit from this procedure, please contact our office at (814) 467-3037 or visit our webpage at www.windbersurgery.com