According to the CDC almost 43% of the population in the United States are obese or overweight. Obesity can be classified using the BMI calculator, which does not measure body fat, but can be an indicator of body fat based on a person’s height, weight, and age. If a person’s BMI is 30 or higher, it falls into the obese range, where a BMI or 40 or higher is sometimes categorized as “severe” obesity. Being overweight or obese can contribute to one or more life-threatening medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, cancer, osteoarthritis, gastrointestinal esophageal reflux disease (GERD) and sleep apnea.
Dr. Berger and Dr. Aldridge work with Northern Arizona Healthcare and perform weight loss surgery, also known as bariatric surgery, which is a safe and effective way to lose weight long-term. It reduces the amount of food your stomach holds and helps you to feel full faster, resulting in significant weight loss results. While surgery is not free of risks, living with a life-threatening condition is often more dangerous, so we are here to help patient’s life healthier lives.
Types of Weight Loss Surgery
Sleeve Gastrectomy – This popular procedure restricts the volume of food that can be eaten with no intestinal bypass by creating a small stomach about the size of a banana. You will experience noticeable changes in your gut hormones as this procedure promotes satiety, suppresses hunger, and in many cases reverses Type 2 diabetes.
Gastric Bypass – A small pouch is attached to small intestines where food is separated. This allows food to bypass portions of the small intestine. Not only are fewer calories and nutrients being absorbed, but changes in gut hormones that promote satiety and suppress hunger result in weight loss and in some cases reverse Type 2 diabetes
While weight loss surgery is not right for everyone, but you may be a candidate if you are more than 100 pounds over your ideal body weight, if your BMI is greater than 40, or if your BMI is 35 and you are experiencing health effects related to your weight such as diabetes or high blood pressure. If you are considering weight loss surgery but have additional questions you can attend a weight loss information session online or in person or contact the bariatric program patient advocate Betsy Fritz at 928-214-3737.