Overcoming Obesity
Stepping into a healthier you
Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the United States. About 16 million Americans are severely obese - a number that continues to rise.
According to Brian Lane, M.D., assistant professor of surgery and chief of bariatric surgery at The University of Toledo Medical Center, several diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea and joint conditions, go hand in hand with obesity. These diseases can exacerbate obesity and make it next to impossible to lose weight without surgery. “The solution isn’t always as simple as diet and exercise,” Dr. Lane says.
In these cases, people in Toledo have more options than ever for weight loss surgery.
The UT Medical Center has the only academic bariatric department in northwest Ohio and is one of the few in the country that performs four types of bariatric surgery.
- Gastric bypass – As the most popular weight loss surgery in the United States, this procedure alters the digestive system to reduce the amount of food the patient can eat and digest. Within the first year, most patients lose 70 to 80 percent of excess body weight.
- Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (DPD/DS) – This is another type of bypass operation, where a longer length of the small intestine is bypassed. It offers the best long-lasting weight loss effect, but patients need to be closely monitored to ensure they do not have problems with malabsorption, which can cause patients to lose too much weight.
- Lapband surgery – A good choice for patients who do not want to undergo a bypass procedure. Through the procedure, a small pouch is created in the stomach, which limits the amount patients are able to eat and digest. Patients need to be diligent about getting adjustments to the lapband throughout the year for the procedure to be successful.
- Vertical sleeve gastrectomy – Through this procedure 80 percent of the stomach is removed, which reduces the levels of hunger-stimulating hormones within the body.
Not everyone qualifies for bariatric surgery. Candidates must have a BMI equal to or greater than 40 or a BMI between 35 and 40 with a medical condition that may improve with weight loss. They must also undergo a complete medical examination, including medical tests.
Patients need to commit to life-long changes
Bariatric surgery by itself is not a quick fix for obesity. Patients need to commit to lifestyle changes, such as daily exercise, healthy eating and long-term medical follow up. Registered dietitians are available to meet with patients post operation to help them adjust to their new lifestyle. “A lot of people can eat the high calorie foods that exist in our society and go through life maintaining a relatively stable body weight,” Dr. Lane says. “But it’s critically important that patients who are prone to obesity learn more about nutrition and dietary influences.”
After successfully losing weight, many patients consider plastic surgery and reconstructive procedures to help eliminate excess skin. “When a patient loses 150 or 200 pounds, it is a fantastic success, but it results in excess skin,” Dr. Lane explains. UT Medical Center’s bariatric and plastic surgery programs are closely aligned to help patients learn about the process. “We’re dedicated to helping these patients and believe it will give them better self-esteem and allow them to better continue their exercises.”
Hope in sight
The University of Toledo’s Center for Diabetes and Endocrine Research (CeDER) is currently doing research on the origin of diabetes and how it relates to the ongoing obesity problem. Additionally, the academic center is focused on obesity treatments that utilize a team approach. “It’s important to remember obesity is a disease and we should embrace the therapies that have been successful,” Dr. Lane says. “Multidisciplinary programs are ideal and at the UT Medical Center, we hope to take the lead in this.”
Learn more at a free information session. Call (419) 383-6932 or (800) 556-5444 for upcoming session dates or visit utmc.utoledo.edu.
