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It's a new year. Will 2012 be your year to finally lose weight? If you're ready to shed pounds and get healthy, weight loss surgery may be the answer you are looking for.
Why Weight Loss Surgery?
Weight loss surgery, also known as bariatric surgery, is a procedure that ultimately helps you consume less food. Doctors will typically not suggest this type of procedure to the mildly overweight. It is intended to help those who are obese and cannot seem to lose weight even after trying diet and exercise. You may have genetic factors that make losing weight difficult. Bariatric surgery also helps those whose weight may be a serious health risk.
The Types of Bariatric Surgery
There are different forms of weight loss surgery. Here are three main types.
- Minimally Invasive Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Surgery involves rerouting the digestive tract and restricting the amount of food that you can eat.
- Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy is a procedure in which approximately 85 percent of the stomach is removed, and the remainder is shaped into a small sleeve. The result is vastly reduces hunger.
- Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding, also known as Lap-Band, involves having an adjustable band inserted around the upper part of the stomach. This makes your stomach just a small pouch, which makes you feel full much faster.
When to Choose Weight Loss Surgery
The Centers for Disease Control offers helpful tips for determining if you are a weight loss surgery candidate. One tool is the Body Mass Index (BMI). It calculates your level of obesity based simply on your height versus your weight. Though the figures do not include compensation for different levels of muscle mass, the BMI may help as a general barometer. Experts agree that bariatric surgery is just the first step in getting healthy. You will also need to be willing to adjust your eating habits and commit to regular exercise.
The hospitals of HCA West Florida can help you determine if weight loss surgery is right for you. We offer bariatric surgery programs at Brandon Regional Hospital, Fawcett Memorial Hospital, and St. Petersburg General Hospital. Please visit these facilities online and take advantage of the free information sessions that they offer. This could be your year!
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