Obesity is defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health. It is a serious medical condition and a major risk factor for many other potentially life-threatening diseases, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, mental illness, and some cancers. Aside from the toll to health, medical expenses related to obesity are staggering. The cost of care for obese patients is estimated to be somewhere between 36 to 150 percent higher than for non-obese patients.
For some who are obese, the journey to weight loss can be exceptionally difficult. For them, a healthy diet and exercise may not be enough to sustain a healthy weight.
Fortunately, bariatric surgery at Surgical Associates can help those struggling with obesity achieve long-term weight loss and an improved quality of life.
What is Bariatric Surgery?
Often called weight-loss surgery, bariatric surgery is an operation that reduces the size of the stomach or reroutes the intestine to limit the absorption of calories. Patients end up eating less through a variety of mechanisms, depending on the procedure, which leads to significant weight loss.
The Surgical Associates weight loss team performs two different bariatric surgeries:
Bariatric surgery can often improve or resolve many obesity-related medical conditions, and, in turn, lower the number of medications a patient needs to take. But, surgery alone will not correct a patient’s weight or health issues. Bariatric patients must also commit to major lifestyle changes, such as:
- Restricting the amounts and types of food they eat
- Increasing physical activity
- Taking vitamin and mineral supplements
Is Bariatric Surgery Right for You?
- Are you between 18 and 70 years of age?
- Do you have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher? Calculate Your BMI
- Do you have a BMI of 35 or higher with one or more obesity-related health conditions, such as:
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Sleep apnea
- Liver disease
- Heart disease
- Persistent acid reflux
- Osteoarthritis
- Severe urinary incontinence
- Have you been unable to achieve sustained weight loss with prior medical and/or nutritional weight control programs?
- Are you medically stable and physically able to withstand surgery?
- Have you researched the procedure and its risks?
- Are you prepared to make lifelong lifestyle changes, including regular follow-up appointments?
- Do you have a strong support network to motivate and assist you in recovery?
If you answered yes to any or all of the questions above, you may be a candidate for Surgical Associates’ weight-loss program.
Why Surgical Associates?
Experience and Accreditation
Surgical Associates is recognized as a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. Led by Dr. Steven Weiland, bariatric surgery program has more than 15 years of experience, performing more than 1,500 weight-loss surgeries.
Extensive Support
At Surgical Associates, bariatric surgery is viewed as the starting point of a patient’s sustained success, not just a quick fix for weight loss. Its integrated program includes dietary counseling, physical therapy, psychological evaluations and counseling support groups. A personalized weight-loss plan is designed for every bariatric surgery patient to help them meet specific goals and needs.
Superior Outcomes
Surgical Associates’ bariatric surgery team exceeds national average outcomes for weight loss and improved health. The national 30-day mortality rate for bariatric surgery is .22%, while Surgical Associates’ is 0%.
