Health officials are concerned because morbid obesity is on the rise. The FDA defines morbid obesity as being one hundred pounds over the ideal body weight, having a BMI of over forty, or over 35 and have severe problems like diabetes and high blood pressure. Morbid obese people can’t get to, or sustain a healthy weight, even with the help of a medically supervised diet. People in this category are candidates for bariatric surgery. The NIH says morbid obesity is a chronic disease, and “society should treat it as such.” Morbid Obesity related health-problems include:
- type 2 diabetes
- high blood pressure/heart problems
- osteoarthritis of weight bearing joints
- sleep apnea/respiratory problems
- acid reflux disease
- depression
Dr. George Merriman of Freedom From Obesity is the most experienced weight loss surgeon, in the Arkansas, Texas and Louisiana region. Freedom From Obesity offers different weight loss surgeries, and diet programs. The Lap Band Procedure is among the most popular weight-loss surgeries. If you need Lap Band Surgery in TX, the procedure involves several incisions being made in the stomach. The surgeon puts a camera and several small tools through the incision. Next, he wraps a device around the upper part of the stomach to form a ring. A thin tube is attached to the ring, and leads to an access port left under the skin.
The band will not be adjusted for weight loss until the patient feels better. It usually takes four to six weeks to heal, and get used to your new stomach. At first, you’ll only be able to eat small amounts of liquids. Later, solids are gradually reintroduced into the diet. Patients have to learn how much to eat, without feeling sick. Finally, the surgeon adds saline through the port, and the band is adjusted for weight loss. Weight loss is generally steady and gradual.
The surgery is only half the battle, in winning the weight-loss game. Patients need to learn good nutritional habits, and may want to consult with a dietitian. Many patients experience up and down emotions. They’re happy about the surgery, but find it hard to accept all the changes in their life. However, there is help available for anyone with these issues. Most importantly, all the hard work leads to a new, healthier body.
