What Is Obesity?
An obese person has accumulated so much body fat that it might have a negative effect on their health. If a person’s bodyweight is at least 20% higher than it should be, he or she is considered obese. If your Body Mass Index (BMI) is between 25 and 29.9 you are considered overweight. If your BMI is 30 or over you are considered obese. National Center for Health Statistics of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that more than 34 percent of adults in the United States are overweight and 6 percent are morbidly obese. One out of seven (1 out of 7) pre-school aged children is obese. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) estimates that 17 percent of children and adolescents ages 2-19 are overweight.
“The latest study based on a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults estimates that about 112,000 deaths are associated with obesity each year in the United States”
Center for Disease Control and Prevention
However, just as important as the mortality rate is the morbidity associated with obesity. Morbidity associated with obesity includes serious chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, some cancers, arthiritis; accompanied by pain and suffering, reduced quality of life, increased medical costs for treatment and death.
American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) estimates 57,000 weight loss procedures were done in 2001. In 2008, 220,000 individuals underwent weight loss surgery in the U.S.
About 15 million people in the U.S. have morbid obesity. 1% of the clinically eligible population is being treated for morbid obesity through bariatric surgery.
Today there are many weight loss surgery options. There has been an exponential growth in the number of bariatric surgical procedures, including gastric bypass surgery, duodenal switch and lap band, due to patient demand and the recognition that surgical intervention is the most effective treatment for morbid obesity and the associated co-morbidities.
Taking the First Step
Change your life and change it for good. No one has to tell you about the downside of morbid obesity. If you’re at least 80-100 pounds over your ideal body weight, you already know the health risks, the feelings of frustration, depression, and hopelessness that can be so overwhelming. But, there is an answer…
It is our mission to change your health and your life. The bariatric program at Adventist Health Delano offers three weight loss procedures: gastric bypass, gastric sleeve and duodenal switch. We will help you choose the best procedure that will create lasting weight loss and, as a result, reduce life-threatening risk factors, improve your self-esteem and enhance your daily living.
We are committed to providing you with:
- Thorough and honest answers to all of your questions about weight loss surgery.
- Caring, experienced surgeons who are recognized experts in the field of Bariatric surgery.
- Patient education, support group meetings and long-term follow-up care.
- State-of-the-art equipment and facilities to accommodate all patients.
- A supportive, respectful staff to guide you through each step of the program.
- Support Group Meetings
- Easy insurance processes provided by our knowledgeable staff, including HMOs.
No one should have to live with morbid obesity, and you don’t have to any longer. At Adventist Health Delano, under the care of our trained surgeons, there is a way to reach and maintain a normal weight, and change your life forever.
If you are ready for a change, perhaps it’s time to consider a surgical solution that has helped thousands and take the first step.