Surgery
About Weight Loss Surgery
Millions of Americans are overweight, and many go on to become severely obese—also known as morbid obesity or Class III obesity—a condition which is identified as someone who is at least 100 pounds overweight or has a body mass index (BMI)of 40 or more. Morbid obesity is the cause of many health related conditions, including high blood pressure and heart disease, diabetes, sleep apnea, heartburn, arthritis, depression and infertility.
Any one of these conditions can have a negative impact on your health. Over time, they can shorten your lifespan. This is a major concern for those with Class III obesity. Surgical intervention, along with diet and exercise, is an option to assist individuals with a safe and steady weight loss. In fact, only about 2 percent of those with Class III obesity are able to reach and maintain their ideal body weight through diet and exercise alone.
Both of the surgical options available at Emerson, which include gastric bypass and gastric banding, restrict food intake so that people can eat less and still feel satisfied. As a result, most individuals lose weight rapidly and continue to lose weight long after their surgery. Most importantly, the troubling medical conditions associated with obesity will improve or even disappear.
Getting started: Attend an Information Session