What Causes Obesity?
The reasons for obesity are many and complex. It is not simply a result of overeating. Research has shown that in many cases a significant, underlying cause of morbid obesity is genetic. Studies have demonstrated that once the problem is established, efforts such as dieting and exercise programs have a limited ability to provide effective long-term relief.
Environmental factors, such as fast food, long days sitting at a desk, and suburban neighborhoods that require cars all magnify hereditary factors such as metabolism and efficient fat storage. Science continues to search for answers. But until the disease is better understood, the control of excess weight is something patients must work at for their entire lives.
What Health Conditions Does Morbid Obesity Contribute to?
Morbid obesity increases the risk of developing heart disease, high blood pressure (also known as hypertension), high cholesterol, sleep apnea, respiratory insufficiency, obesity hypoventilation syndrome, asthma and bronchitis, degenerative disease of the Lumbo-Sacral spine, degenerative arthritis of weight-bearing joints, heartburn or reflux disease, diabetes mellitus, gallbladder disease, stress urinary incontinence, venous stasis disease, depression and some cancers.
Can I “Eat around the surgery?” and Fail?
Yes. It is important to remember that there are no guarantees in any kind of medicine or surgery. Weight loss surgery will only succeed when the patient makes a lifelong commitment. Surgery is only a tool. Your ultimate success depends on strict adherence to the recommended dietary, exercise and lifestyle changes.
Will Having Weight Loss Surgery Mean I Can Eat Anything and Not Exercise?
No. Surgery should be the beginning of a new healthy lifestyle that includes eating small portions of healthy food and exercising. Surgery provides a tool for weight loss with a lifetime commitment to change.
How Long is Recovery?
How quickly you return to work will vary according to: a) your physical condition, b) the nature of the work you do (i.e. desk job vs. construction work), and c) the type of weight loss surgery you had. Most patients are able to resume their jobs within six weeks of their procedure. With laparoscopic bariatric surgery, patients may be able to return to work as soon as one to three weeks after surgery.
What Surgical Option is Best For Me?
Because there are several operations for treating obesity, our goal is to help patients find the procedure they are most comfortable with. Oregon Weight Loss Surgery, LLC strives to educate patients about every option and typically allow the patients to choose. Although this is generally the case, one surgery may be recommended over another depending on individual circumstances.
Oregon Weight Loss Surgery, LLC surgeons perform “restrictive” procedures. These procedures work to reduce that amount of food that a patient’s stomach can hold. Consequently, patients begin eating smaller meals, which allows them to lose weight. The most common three procedures we currently perform are:
(1) laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass,
(2) laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding and
(3) StomaphyX™ (an endoscopic pouch and stoma revision available to patients who have previously undergone a gastric bypass surgery and are struggling with weight regain or experiencing other problems).
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