The emotional suffering associated with obesity may be one of the most distressing aspects of it. Society's focus on the physical appearance of an individual often results in mis-judgements about obese individual making those suffering from obesity experience feelings of rejection, shame, or depression.

The reasons for obesity are multiple and complex. In fact, the underlying causes of obesity are not completely understood since there are many factors that contribute to the development of obesity.

The Surgical Obesity Program at Plantation General Hospital provides comprehensive bariatric services, and has helped many men and women enjoy their lives to the fullest once again!

For more information on the Surgical Obesity Program at Plantation General Hospital or to schedule a consultation call our toll free phone number at:
1.866.843.8248 or 1.866.8.GET.2.IT

What is Obesity?

The term "obesity" specifically refers to an excess amount of body fat. Over the years, the prevalence of obesity among adults in the United States has more than doubled. Currently, nearly one third of adults are obese.

Importantly, obesity results in a significant impairment of health making the body prone to numerous health problems and diseases. In fact, approximately 300,000 deaths among adults each year are related to obesity. Health problems and diseases that have been linked to obesity include but are not limited to:

• Diabetes
• High Blood Pressure
• Heart disease
• Sleep Apnea
• Stroke

How Does Bariatric Surgery Work?

Bariatric Surgery promotes weight loss by restricting food intake and, in some procedures altering the digestive process. As with other treatments for obesity, the best results are achieved when combined with healthy eating behaviors and regular physical activity.

What is Laparoscopy?

The preferred method for bariatric surgery involve laparoscopy (also known as minimally invasive surgery), a surgical technique in which a high-definition camera and very fine surgical instruments are placed through small incisions, instead of the standard large incisions. The image is then viewed on a video monitor by highly trained surgeons as they perform the procedures using the specialized instruments.

Eliminating the need for a large incision, laparoscopy results in less tissue damage, less blood loss, shorter hospitalization, a faster recovery, and fewer complications than open operations. Our state-of-the-art operating rooms and staff provide patients with the best care possible using laparoscopic techniques.

Types of Bariatric Surgery

Gastric Banding

Gastric banding, usually done laparoscopically, is a less invasive and the only adjustable and reversible obesity surgery available. During this procedure, surgeons place an inflatable silicone band around the upper stomach to create a new, tiny pouch that limits the amount of food that can be consumed and slows its progression into the stomach and intestines. The patient feels full sooner and satisfied with smaller amounts of food, ultimately losing up to 40 to 60 percent of his or her excess weight over three years.

LapBand

The band itself is adjustable by adding or removing fluid from the band’s interior through a small port that is placed beneath the patient’s skin. Adjustments can be made as necessary in the surgeon’s office, where the surgeon can adjust the band via the port with minimal discomfort to the patient.

Gastric Bypass (Roux-en Gastric bypass)

If a patient requires even greater weight loss than banding techniques produce, a gastric bypass operation is considered. Gastric bypass restricts both food intake  and the amount of calories and nutrients the body abdorbs. Patients who have bypass operations generally lose 70 percent of their excess weight within one-and-a-half years.

In Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RGB), the most common gastric bypass procedure, a small (30ml) stomach pouch is created by stapling to separate it from the rest of the stomach. Then, a section of the small intestine is attached to the new pouch to allow food to bypass the first portion of the small intestine to reduce calorie and nutrient absorption.

The limited quantity of food, combined with reduced absorption of calories, results in faster and perhaps more pronounced weight loss than is normally achieved by the gastric banding procedure.

This procedure usually requires a two-to three-day hospital stay, and normal activities can be resumed in one to two weeks.

Laparoscopic Gastric Sleeve Resection

In some cases, a patient’s morbid obesity is so pronounced that the patient would benefit from a two-stage process in order to lose several hundred pounds. Gastric sleeve resection is usually performed as the first stage. In this surgery approximately 70 percent of the stomach is removed to limit the volume of food intake at one time, ultimately losing 40 to 60% of excess weight over One-and-a-half years.

Additional Resources

The Diet Center on plantationgeneral.com