A Look at Weight Loss Surgery
Weight loss (bariatric) surgery is the only proven long-term
treatment for severe obesity. It causes patients to achieve
significant, long-term weight loss by restricting the amount of food
they can ingest or absorb. It is intended for people who are at
least 80-100 pounds overweight, and who have failed at least six
months of diet and exercise therapy. Many candidates also have
significant health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, sleep
apnea, joint disease, and infertility.
Dr. Garrison performs minimally invasive procedures for weight loss
including
Who may be a candidate for surgery?
- Individuals must be 100 pounds or more overweight, or
- 80 pounds or more above ideal body weight, with health
problems including diabetes, high blood pressure, or sleep apnea
- Have long-term history of obesity
- Have failed to lose weight through non-surgical programs
- Will be able to comply with new dietary and lifestyle changes
after surgery
How much weight will I lose?
Most patients experience significant weight loss soon
after surgery, as well as improved health and quality of life.
Weight loss tends to be occur gradually during the two years
following Lap-Band surgery, and most patients lose 40-60% of
their excess weight during this time. After Roux-en-Y surgery,
most patients lose 50-70% of their excess weight within 12-18
months.
The amount of weight patients lose depends not only on surgery,
but on their commitment to new eating habits, exercise, and
continuous support and care at our center.
Whether patients choose surgical or non-surgical approaches to
weight loss, Dr. Garrison is committed to the long-term success of
every individual. He guides each person through careful
evaluations of their physical, dietary, and behavioral status, and
designs an individualized treatment plan to meet their unique
needs.
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"Only
surgery has proven effective over the long term for most patients with
clinically severe obesity."
NIH Consensus Conference Statement,
1991
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