Tuesday 14 July 2015

Bariatric Surgery And The Fight Against Obesity

By Phyllis Schroeder


Obesity is a condition in which there is an accumulation of excess fat in the body, to the extent where it may significantly affect the health and day to day activities of the individual. It can lead to increased health problems and even reduced life expectancy. This means that obese individuals may encounter higher possibilities of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis, etc.

As per National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey of 2010, there are 2 out of 3 adult individuals in the country that are revealed to be obese. This was also categorized by the American Medical Association in 2013 as a chronic condition. Doctors know that some people cannot remove the excess fats with diet and more exercise, so the best choice for them is to go through surgery when all other methods have been futile. New Jersey bariatric surgery recommends that this operation should only be done for patients whose BMI reaches 35 up to 40 without any comorbidities or a BMI of 30 up to 35 for those who have comorbidities.

In ancient times, and still in some parts of the globe, obesity has been the symbol for fertility and wealth. But this belief shifted in the modern world where it became stigmatized. After it was considered as a chronic disease, the European Court of Justice declared morbid obesity to be a disability. It would be deemed discriminatory if employers fire out obese individuals simply because they think these people cannot engage completely in their professional lives.

Weight gain happens when there is energy imbalance or the calorie taken in is higher than the amount being burned. There are also factors such as genetic makeup, culture, eating habit, mood, geography, income, and lifestyle that can cause energy imbalance leading to weight gain. The most common solution would be to eliminate excessive food intake and increase bodily activities.

In some cases, this condition can be genetic and an unhealthy diet and lack of exercise will only make it worse. Bariatic surgery is an effective method to achieving long term weight loss especially in Englewood, NJ, where obesity is also prevalent. This gives patients the help they need in the most painless, fastest, and safest way.

Doctors always remind patients that surgery is a big and serious decision to make. They educate them about the surgery, the risks, the benefits, and the possible effects of the treatment. Physicians also instruct them on what to expect regarding post operative changes.

There are different techniques to this procedure, and one of them is the reduction of the stomach size through the use of a removable gastric band or a Lap Band. Another technique is by removing a portion of the stomach and is called a gastric bypass. The doctor can also redirect the small intestines to a tiny stomach bag called Laparoscopic Roux en Y.

There is no specific practice being followed by everyone when it comes to maintaining the weight loss. After the bypass surgery, some individuals still feel that they have not achieved the goal that they want. Others even gained weight. The amount of fat regained may differ significantly on the level of obesity and type of operation.

For success to be achieved, patients must also commit to lifelong healthy eating and physical activity. They also need to change their habits and continue visiting for medical followup their whole lives. Healthcare professionals can help patients adjust to the physical and emotional changes so that the transformation will be more fulfilling and lasting.




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