A diagnosis of Morbidly Obese is hard to accept

A person who fits the criteria of being morbidly obese will spend as much as 1,500 dollars more each year just managing the diseases that come with weight problems. Bariatric surgery offers hope to those who need help getting out of the high risk group for illnesses that affect both their life expectancy and quality of life.

Obesity is a growing public health concern in this country with almost 40 percent of the adult population overweight, according to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They estimate this growing trend costs consumers around 147 billion dollars a year in healthcare costs.

What is the Definition of Morbidly Obese?

Obese may sound like a subjective term, but there are defining factors. Medically, a diagnosis of morbidly obese is measured based on body mass index, or BMI. BMI is calculated by dividing your weight in kilograms by your height in meters squared.

There are three classes of obesity.

  • Class one – BMI of 30 to 34.9
  • Class two – BMI of 35 -39.9
  • Class three – 40 or higher

The Complications of Obesity

Obesity affects more than just a person’s self-esteem. It puts you at risk for serious health problems that will shorten your life and change how you live. There are the obvious concerns like heart disease and type 2 diabetes, but when you are overweight, you are also at risk for:

  • High blood pressure
  • Sleep apnea
  • Cancer
  • Gallbladder disease
  • Infertility
  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Liver disease
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Stroke

That doesn’t even take into account the mental stress that comes with weight management problems. Lap band surgery offers a practical solution to getting to a healthier weight.

The Bariatric Surgery Solution

bariatric surgery is part of a comprehensive treatment plan to help a patient reach and maintain a healthy weight. This puts them in a better place to avoid chronic health issues. Laparoscopic gastric sleeve surgery, modifies your stomach to change the amount of food it can can hold.

Weight management is a balancing act. To lose weight, you must eat fewer calories than your body burns. Bariatric surgery controls how much food you can eat at one time, forcing you to consume fewer calories. The surgery also changes hormone production, so you maintain your energy levels. This shift helps you keep the weight off.

From the Palmyra Surgical Blog

  • Understanding the Glycemic Index
    Understanding the Glycemic Index
    Carbohydrates are one of the six essential nutrients. Despite common talk about avoiding carbohydrates for weight loss, our bodies require them to thrive. Carbohydrates contain sugar. When you eat carbohydrates, your body breaks down that sugar and absorbs it into the cells with the help of a hormone called insulin, where it is then converted to fuel and used for energy.
  • Reasons to Consider Weight Loss Surgery
    Getting weight loss surgery is a choice that can have a major influence on your health and quality of life for years to come. The conversation surrounding weight loss surgery may come up at the advice of a doctor, after seeing a friend who was successful in their weight loss efforts or maybe after a series of frustrating weight loss attempts.
  • Managing Special Occasions after Weight Loss Surgery
    Every time you turn the corner there is another fast food restaurant or bakery loaded with its own temptations, and you do what you can to stand strong and stick to your post-bariatric diet plan.
  • Shop Smart to Lose Weight
    Healthy Shopping Strategies for a Healthy Household
    When one person in a household gets weight loss surgery, it is actually common for other members of that household to lose weight too. This is called a “halo effect.”
  • Making Healthy Food Substitutions after Weight Loss Surgery
    Approximately six weeks following weight loss surgery you’ll start making the gradual transition back to a whole-foods diet. This is an exciting period for many people. After weeks of gaining sustenance through liquids and soft foods, being able to enjoy a regular meal is something to look forward to.