|
|
Obesity has now reached epidemic proportions in the United States , with over 60% of our population now considered overweight. Along with weight come a number of related medical conditions that decrease ones quality of life as well as decreasing life expectancy. Recent projections suggest that more than $200 billion dollars will be spent this year alone to treat obesity related health issues. The good news is that with significant weight loss, health related issues as diabetes, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, hypercholesterolemia and even joint problems will improve and sometimes be cured.
For those patients with medical problems with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 35 to 40 or with a BMI of 40 or greater, weight loss surgery is the only proven long-term weight loss maintenance intervention for patients who meet this criteria.
Why is MWMC building a comprehensive Weight Management Program with a focus on Bariatric Surgery? Our mission is to provide to our community the best of the best in bariatric surgery for those patients that may require or are seeking weight loss surgery, as well as a comprehensive weight management program that provides resources both before and after surgery.
MetroWest Medical Center has assembled a multidisciplinary team that includes surgeons, nutritionists, behaviorists and medical physicians to assess each patient, outline and explain if the benefits of the surgery outweigh the risks of a patients’ present health status relating to being overweight. We also assess motivations and try to predict who will be successful if they choose the surgical approach to weight loss.
The actual weight a patient will lose after a procedure is dependent on several factors. These include:
· Patient’s age
· Weight before surgery
· Overall condition of the Patient’s health
· Surgical procedure
· Ability to exercise
· Commitment of maintaining dietary guidelines and other follow-up care
· Motivation
· The cooperation from family, friends and associates
|
We recognize that the key to successful long term weight loss is not just in the surgical procedure but in the program behind the surgery. At MWMC, our goal is to not only become a Center of Excellence in weight management, but to be a leader in the field of surgical weight loss.
Our bariatric surgeons have a combined experience of more than 30 years in this field. Dr. Sheldon Randall and Dr. Khaled Yehia have worked together as a team for over 5 years. The medical evaluation they perform has several goals: assuring that the patient meets the currently accepted criteria for consideration of bariatric surgery, identify and optimally treat medical conditions that may affect peri-operative risks, and educating and preparing patients in the hope of maximizing long term successful weight loss and improving health.
A successful weight-loss outcome after bariatric surgery has been defined as a loss of at least 50% of excess weight. Failure rates have been reported in 10 to 25% of patients who undergo surgery. Several factors seem to contribute to weight regain. These are complex and may vary with the surgical procedure performed. They are also not well understood but non adherence to dietary and activity recommendations contributes to poor long-term outcomes. For these reasons, the Weight Management Program at MetroWest Medical Center provides support both before and after surgery to help reduce the incidence of weight regain.
Weight loss surgery has proved to be an important tool in the treatment of extreme or Class III obesity, but our surgeons emphasize that it must be accompanied by a lifestyle change toward healthy eating and regular physical activity to achieve the desired goal of improved health through a healthier weight. The comprehensive team approach at MetroWest Medical Center provides the best care to this group of patients who typically have complex medical histories.
|