Gastric Bypass Permanent Weight Loss

By Joseph Afram, MD

Center For Obesity

. http://www.obesitycenter.org

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Gastric Bypass Permanent Weight Loss

Obesity is one of the major health problems confronting the United States. It is estimated that approximately 50% of the population is overweight and over ten million Americans are more than 100 pounds over their ideal weight.
If you are like most Americans, you struggle each and every day with your weight. But for some, it is more than just simply being a few pounds over where youd like to be on
the scale. For some, it can be a matter of life and death.
Everyday, more and more Americans are diagnosed as suffering from severe (or morbid) obesity. Those included in this group are 100 pounds or more over their ideal body weight and face increased health risks including a higher likelihood of heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, as well as certain cancers. Excess weight can also cause sleep apnea, as well as arthritis and back pain.
These weight related health problems, called co-morbidities, can also lead to an increased incidence of premature death. Over 300,000 Americans die of obesity related illnesses each year. Obesity also extracts a high toll in human suffering. Low self-esteem and clinical depression are often tied to an individuals relationship with their weight and their quality of life.
Most obese individuals have struggled unsuccessfully with their weight for many years. The numerous diets, commercial weight loss centers offering treatments such as hypnosis, pituitary hormones, appetite suppressant drugs, and behavioral therapy attest to the great difficulty many overweight people have in losing weight and keeping it off. Some of these weight loss strategies may be successful in people with mild obesity, but nearly all fail in individuals 100 pounds or more over their ideal body weight. At present, obesity surgery is the only proven effective therapy for severe obesity.
There have been remarkable advances in obesity surgery during the last few years and we are very proud to have contributed to some of them. The operations are very safe and effective. Most of our patients are very satisfied with the results of their operation. Overwhelmingly, patients have found that they lose 50 to 90 percent of their excess weight, and maintain that weight loss long-term.
Maximum effectiveness depends on the level of patient participation in the behavioral modification and nutritional programs, as well as an increase in physical activities and exercise on a regular basis. Other factors, such as age, sex, and initial weight at the time of surgery should also be considered.
Weight loss surgery is not a magic bullet. It is, however, a powerful tool that has successfully helped many people achieve and maintain permanent weight loss. Your active participation in, and commitment to, the lifestyle changes, exercise, and eating habits that weight loss surgery requires is a necessary component to your ultimate success.