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Weight Loss (Bariatric) Surgery
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 Weight-loss surgery is a big decision. You want to know you’re in the experienced hands of a highly-qualified medical team. And that’s exactly what you’ll find at CentraState.
After a rigorous evaluation, the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) has designated CentraState as a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence for demonstrating a commitment to quality and safety, and a track record of favorable outcomes.
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When weight takes over your life...
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Excessive weight can take a toll on every aspect of your health, lifestyle, and even your emotional well being. While diet and exercise alone can help many people shed unwanted pounds, others—due to genetics or other factors—may require additional assistance.
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Shed the weight and take back your life.
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Our bariatric specialists perform gastric bypass (open and laproscopic (Roux-en-Y) surgery) and Lap-Band® surgery—options to meet differing lifestyles and health needs. Our team of registered dietitians, sleep and pulmonary specialists, nurses and other medical professionals is here to guide and support you before, during and after your surgery to prepare you for the changes to come and help you achieve desired results.
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What Does It Mean to Be Morbidly Obese?
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Obesity is defined as an excessive amount of body fat. Individuals who are 20 percent over ideal body weight are considered obese.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), you are "morbidly" obese if you reach a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or greater, or if you’re 100 pounds over your ideal body weight. An estimated 5 million to 10 million Americans are morbidly obese.
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Health Risks of Morbid Obesity
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Unlike ordinary obesity, which affects a lot of people but doesn’t significantly impact their health, morbid obesity poses serious health risks. It affects virtually every system in the body.
The health risks associated with obesity are called co-morbid conditions. They include:
- Diabetes;
- Heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke;
- Sleep apnea and other breathing problems;
- Back and joint problems;
- Problems with skin, urination, or menstruation;
- Depression or other mental health problems; and,
- Certain cancers.
These health risks, alone or in combination, can reduce life expectancy. The risk of death for diseases such as diabetes or heart attack is five to seven times greater for a morbidly obese person than for someone of normal weight. The psychological and social impact is equally devastating. It disrupts relationships and restricts mobility, which can keep you from doing even the most basic things like tying your shoes, playing with your kids or walking up stairs. When you feel like you can’t fully participate in life, it erodes your self-esteem and your self-worth. This can lead to depression. Even worse, morbidly obese people are often made to feel that they are personally responsible for their condition—that they have no willpower. But that’s not always the case. The situation is more complex.
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Morbid Obesity and Genetics
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Morbid obesity is not simply a result of overeating, failing to exercise or a lack of will power. Research has shown that genetics is a significant underlying cause. Some people turn more of their calories into energy and heat, while others turn calories into fat. If you’re morbidly obese, there’s a good chance it runs in your family.
The genetic connection may explain, in part, why the success rate for non-surgical approaches to treating morbid obesity is so poor. NIH research shows that even those who do lose weight, gain most of it back within one year.
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Weight-Loss Surgery at CentraState
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Bariatric surgery produces remarkable success rates and can completely change a person’s life. But it’s not right for everyone. This is major surgery with associated risks. Plus, the surgery alone will not help you to reach your weight-loss goals. To lose and keep off the weight, you must follow strict dietary, exercise and medical guidelines—for the rest of your life. This isn’t easy. It requires dedication and commitment.
At CentraState Medical Center, our bariatric specialists are trained and experienced in the leading surgical options:
- Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass. In gastric bypass, considered the "gold standard" in weight-loss surgery, surgeons alter the configuration of the stomach and small intestine to reduce the amount of food patients can eat and digest. For patients who meet certain medical criteria, gastric bypass can be performed using minimally invasive (laparoscopic) techniques. This approach can reduce blood loss, trauma to muscles and other tissue, risk of infection, length of stay in the hospital, pain and recovery time. The typical hospital stay is three days, and patients generally are able to return to work in a couple weeks.
- BioEnterics® Lap-Band® System. With the Lap-Band System, the surgeon places an adjustable, silicone band around the upper part of the stomach to reduce the amount of food the patient’s stomach can hold. The adjustment process can be done on an outpatient basis in a matter of minutes and helps drive the rate of weight loss. This less invasive approach does not involve stomach stapling or cutting or intestinal rerouting. The Lap-Band System is the only adjustable and reversible surgical weight-loss option currently available in the United States.
Our weight-loss surgery and support team includes:
- Bariatric surgeons
- Registered nurses
- Psychologist
- Registered dietitians
- Cardiologist
- Pulmonologist
- Gastroenterologist
- Sleep diagnostician
- Fitness educator
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Are You a Candidate for Weight-Loss Surgery?
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To qualify for weight-loss surgery:
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You must have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or greater (100 pounds over ideal body weight), or a BMI of 35 or greater plus a serious health problem such as high blood pressure. To Calculate Your BMI Click Here.(Link to Health AtoZ tool) - And you must be healthy enough to have surgery.
- You must be age 18-65.
To protect your health before, during and after surgery, and to ensure the very best outcome, you will also be required to:
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Meet with your surgeon to provide a complete medical history.
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Meet with a mental health professional for psychological evaluation.
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Meet with sleep and pulmonary specialists for diagnostic testing.
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Attend four 30-minute nutrition classes and one 45-minute nutrition class.
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Attend a one-hour, pre-surgery group orientation meeting with a registered nurse.
It’s important that your immediate family, or whoever is going to be supporting you during your weight-loss journey, attend the educational sessions with you.
To assist you through the adjustment period following your weight-loss procedure, we offer educational support groups for up to one year after surgery.
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Setting Realistic Expectations
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The goal of bariatric surgery is to help you lose the majority of your excess weight to improve or prevent health problems. The surgery is not performed for cosmetic reasons.
Remember:
- You will need to change how you eat for the rest of your life.
- After surgery, you must commit to eating less and exercising more to lose and keep off the weight.
- You won’t reach a healthy weight right away. Most weight is lost during the first year and a half after surgery.
You probably won’t lose all your excess weight. But you can reach a much healthier weight.
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No other approach comes close to bariatric surgery for shedding excessive weight. The long-term success rates are excellent. It provides a new lease on life in every way. But it’s a long journey that requires a significant commitment. In the end, the decision is yours. So learn all you can.
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Is Bariatric Surgery Right for Me?:
Seun Sowemimo, MD
Have you tried every diet under the sun? Do you feel like there’s nothing left to try and nowhere else to turn? Don’t give up. The Bariatric Program at CentraState can help you to reach a healthier weight and eliminate or reduce the health risks associated with obesity. So, you’ll not only look better—you’ll feel better, too!
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For more information about Centrastate's weight-loss surgery services and related support services, call (866) CENTRA7.
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