Bariatric surgery and follow-up can make a difference in more than just weight

People who turn to weight loss surgery often face a do-or-die decision. After years of dealing with obesity-related illnesses, they have to get the weight off to save their lives.

A life-threatening 140 pounds over weight, Ruth Cody struggled for years to lose weight and keep it off. As her weight fluctuated, so did her health. She suffered from high blood pressure, diabetes, acid reflux and a slew of other debilitating diseases. She was so depressed, she ate to find comfort. “I was so big, I didn’t want to go out and socialize so all I did was stay home and eat more,” she said.

In desperation, she decided to explore weight loss surgery. Today, not quite two years after surgery and 90 pounds lighter, Cody is the picture of health. Her diabetes has been resolved, her reflux has disappeared and her high blood pressure is normal. For the first time in her life, she has gone skiing, snorkeling, horseback riding and been able to fit into an airplane seat belt without an extension.

“I’m still not where I want to be,” admitted Cody. “But now I feel a whole lot better. And I’m still working on eating right and exercising. It’s not easy. You have to be committed. This surgery is not a cure; it’s a jumpstart to a life change.”

For Cody, it was also a jumpstart to a new career direction. She has become so passionate about weight loss surgery, the registered nurse now heads the Chesapeake Regional Medical Center Bariatric Surgery Program. “I believe in this so much,” she said. “If it worked for me, it can help others, too.”

Health risks morbid obesity are numerous

Like Cody, the morbidly obese face all sorts of health problems related to their weight. They have double the risk of early death if their weight is more than twice their ideal. They have five to seven times greater risk of death from diabetes or heart attack. And the negative social, psychological and economic effects are often too numerous to count.

For now, according to the College of Bariatric Surgeons, weight loss surgery provides the only effective, lasting relief from severe obesity. According to the National Institutes of Health, those who weight 20 percent or more over their ideal body weight are considered “obese.” Obesity becomes “morbid” when it significantly increases the risk of one or more obesity-related health conditions or serious diseases. “Morbid obesity” is defined as being 100 pounds or more over ideal body weight or having a Body Mass Index of 40 or higher.

“Morbidly obese patients struggle daily with what we call ‘co-morbidities’ or obesity-related conditions,” pointed out Dr. Eric Yancey, medical director of the Bariatric Center of Excellence at Chesapeake Regional. “Bariatric surgery is often their only option left.” Studies show that those who diet only lose 8 to 10 percent of their excess body weight in two years. After bariatric surgery, they can lose 75 to 95 percent within 18 months. That loss is equal to about 100-120 pounds for the average female and 125-140 pounds for males.

Numerous benefits

With the weight loss, other health problems can disappear, too. In a 2007 study, 84 percent of patients who underwent the most common type of gastric bypass procedure, the Roux-en-Y bypass procedure, experienced a real difference in their health. Their diabetes improved or was resolved, and they saw improvements in hypertension and sleep apnea.

“This study suggests something that many of our patients have experienced, that diabetes can nearly disappear once their weight is reduced,” said Yancey. “The weight can be reduced dramatically with weight loss surgery, which creates a prompt and efficient improvement in obesity-related conditions.”

No quick fix

Surgery, however, is not a “quick fix.”
“Patients who undergo bariatric surgery must have follow-up treatment for the rest of their lives,” noted Yancey. “This can include working out at the fitness center and attending support groups, as well as follow up psychological, educational and nutritional counseling.”

Patients at Chesapeake Regional’s Bariatric Center undergo a multidisciplinary approach to getting weight off and keeping it off. Before surgery, they are required to undergo a series of physical, psycho- logical and nutritional screenings and educational sessions. Throughout that time, they are preparing for surgery with support groups, education classes and screenings.

They also meet with the bariatric surgeon, who determines whether surgery is appropriate and which type is best suited for their individual needs. They learn to eat smart and the importance of regular exercise. As an incentive to exercise after surgery, they receive discounted memberships to Chesapeake Regional’s Lifestyle Center, where a professionally trained exercise physiologist provides on-site guidance.

“We prepare our patients for a life change,” said Cody. “This is a tool to get them started but we want to ensure that they have everything they need to keep on track for the rest of their lives.”

Come to an information session

Making the choice to have bariatric surgery is not simple. Those considering it can find out more about expectations, recovery and follow-up at information sessions offered on the second Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Lifestyle Center. Call 757.312.3000 for more information.

Are you a candidate?

Surgery is generally warranted when:

• Your BMI is 40 or higher
• You have a life-threatening or disabling condition related to your weight.
• You can’t lose weight with other treatments.
  

You must meet the following criteria:

• You have been obese for at least five years.
• You do not have an ongoing problem with alcohol
• You do not have an untreated major psychiatric disorder such as depression
  
• You are aged 18 to 65.

Calculate your BMI

Body mass index (BMI) is a standard way to define overweight, obesity, and morbid obesity. The BMI is calculated based on a person’s height and weight — weight in kilograms (2.2 pounds per kilogram) divided by the square of height in meters (39.37 inches per meter). A BMI of 25 or more is considered overweight; 30 or more, obese; and 40 or more, morbidly obese. Bariatric surgery may be offered to patients with severe obesity when medical treatments, including lifestyle changes of healthful eating and regular exercise, have not been effective.
From the Journal of the American Medical Association

Bariatric program receives Center of Excellence designation

The Bariatric Surgery Program at Chesapeake Regional Medical Center has been accredited as a Center of Excellence by the American College of Surgeons. The designation means that Chesapeake Regional’s program meets the organization’s criteria in providing the highest quality of care for bariatric surgery patients, from pre-admission to postoperative care and treatment.

To secure the designation, Chesapeake Regional’s program underwent an on-site  verification by experienced bariatric surgeons who compared the center’s structure, process and data to national benchmarks. Examiners visited Chesapeake April 10. As a result, The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services now allows expanded Medicare coverage of bariatric surgery for beneficiaries of all ages who have been diagnosed with other health problems associated with obesity. Medicare coverage has been limited to procedures performed in facilities certified by the American College of Surgeons or the American Society of Bariatric Surgery.

In the United States, more than 11 million people suffer from severe obesity, and the numbers continue to increase. Obesity increases the risks of morbidity and mortality because of the diseases and conditions that are commonly associated with it, such as type II diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease, among other health risks. At the present time, weight-loss surgery provides the only effective, lasting relief from severe obesity.

For more information about
Chesapeake Regional’s bariatric
surgery program, call 757.312.3000.

Chesapeake Regional Medical Center
736 Battlefield Blvd. North
Chesapeake, VA 23320
757-312-8121