[Written by Samuel Hykin, MD, St. Peter’s Health Partners Bariatric and Metabolic Care.]
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 42 percent of American adults are obese. Obesity is defined as a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 30. Obesity is further divided into classes, or levels of severity:
- Class 1: 30 – 34.9
- Class 2: 35 – 39.9
- Class 3: 40 or greater
Obesity increases the risk for other health conditions such as:
- Certain types of cancer
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Fatty liver
- Sleep apnea
- Type 2 Diabetes
There are a multitude of treatment options for obesity including dieting, exercise programs, weight loss medications, and surgery. What makes bariatric surgery unique, for those who qualify, are its high success rates, the magnitude of weight loss, and the resolution of medical comorbidities.
A meta-analysis published in the Journal of the American Medical Association revealed:
- 82 percent of patients saw a reduction in cardiovascular disease
- 92 percent of patients saw improvement and/or resolution of their high blood pressure
- 90 percent of patients saw an improvement in fatty liver disease
- 98 percent of patients saw improvement and/or resolution of their sleep apnea
Most patients see a reduction in their diabetes medications requirements, including insulin, immediately after surgery. Due to improved insulin sensitivity after bariatric surgery, many patients with Type II Diabetes no longer need medication to manage their blood sugar.
Bariatric surgery is indicated for patients with Class 3 Obesity or Class 2 Obesity with at least one other weight-related medical condition. Bariatric surgery not only helps patients lose excess weight but also maintain a healthier weight. The two most commonly performed procedures with our team are the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and the vertical sleeve gastrectomy. Depending on the procedure performed, patients can expect to lose between 50 and 75 percent of their excess weight within the first 18 months after surgery.
Diet and lifestyle changes are important to long-term success and are key to patients maintaining the success they’ve achieved through surgery. Important changes post-surgery include:
- Adopting a high protein diet. Low-fat protein foods include lean meats such as poultry, turkey, lean beef, and lean pork; egg whites; fat-free yogurt; 1% or skim milk; beans; and fish.
- A patient’s approach to meals. We encourage patients to eat three meals each day and avoid any grazing or snacking between meals. Each meal will total about 1 cup of food.
- Continued life-long follow-up. This allows us to monitor vitamin levels and adjust supplements as needed as well as make dietary and lifestyle recommendations to ensure ongoing success.
- Eating slowly! This is a behavior change that is stressed before and after surgery. Taking time to eat allows you to recognize when you are full and avoid over-eating.
St. Peter’s Health Partners Bariatric and Metabolic Care program, with two convenient locations in Albany and Troy, uniquely offers the coordinated support services and guidance you need to achieve your weight loss goals. We focus on comprehensive, lifelong care for our patients beyond surgery. Our bariatric care program is one of the few nationally recognized Centers of Excellence in the Capital Region. We offer surgical and nonsurgical options along with ongoing support that enables more people to reclaim their health.
We are a physician-guided weight management program, helping you push past obstacles to maintain long-term weight loss and a healthy lifestyle. Take the first step and visit us at https://www.sphp.com/services/bariatric-and-metabolic-care where you can take an online health risk assessment, sign up for a free information seminar, and start your weight loss journey.
