Weight loss surgery may offer you a whole new outlook on your health.
If you're ready to lose weight, weight loss surgery at Woman's may be the solution for you. We have the experience and support you need to feel comfortable and confident about your decision.
Losing excess weight is just the beginning. Weight loss often results in dramatic improvement and even elimination of several severe health issues.
A co-morbid condition is a disease, caused by another condition, which occurs in the same person. The primary disease of morbid obesity can lead to several co-morbid conditions.
Conditions that may improve as a result of weight loss include:
- Type 2 diabetes is a long-term metabolic disorder where the body produces insulin, but resists it.
- Excess body weight is associated with an increased risk of heart disease, elevated cholesterol and high blood pressure. These conditions can lead to heart attacks, strokes and heart and kidney damage.
- High cholesterol is a disorder of lipids, the fat-like substances in the blood that build up inside the artery walls. Over time, this can lead to heart disease and high blood pressure.
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is when breathing suddenly stops because soft tissue in the back of the throat collapses and closes during sleep. Morbid obesity can cause sleep apnea and other respiratory problems that may result in chronic fatigue.
- Acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease, is injury to the esophagus caused by chronic exposure to stomach acid. It can cause esophagitis, Barrett’s esophagus and esophageal cancer.
- Morbid obesity may put you at a higher risk for several types of cancer, such as colon, breast and kidney cancer.
- Depression is an illness that involves the body, mood and thoughts. Emotional health goes hand in hand with physical health. Weight loss, combined with counseling, can be very helpful in improving mental health.
- Osteoarthritis, the wear-and-tear arthritis, is a chronic condition in which there is a breakdown of joint cartilage. Excess body weight placed on joints, like knees and hips, results in rapid wear and tear, and pain caused by inflammation.
- Stress urinary incontinence is uncontrollable urine loss with coughing, sneezing and laughing. Bariatric surgery has been found to improve stress urinary incontinence by less weight being placed on the bladder.
- Infertility (the inability or reduced ability to produce children) and menstrual irregularities may occur due to morbid obesity. Fertility issues include possible miscarriage, reduced success with fertility treatments and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
When combined with healthy eating and regular physical activity, the benefits of bariatric surgery include:
- Loss of excess weight
- Enhanced overall health
- Reduced risk for conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and joint pain
- Improved sleep
- Improved mobility
- Improved mood
- Enhanced self-confidence
- More social and economic opportunities