Bariatric Surgery in Oklahoma: What Options are Available?

According to 2009 data, 31.4 percent of adults in Oklahoma are obese

. From Wichita Falls to Joplin, these individuals are at an increased risk of diabetes, hypertension, stroke and heart attack. Most people who are morbidly obese are well aware of the potential health problems, yet the fact remains that losing weight can be very difficult for people who are considerably heavy. Bariatric surgery is a viable option for many of these people because it allows them to lose a great deal of weight over the course of a few months. The patient then has the ability to pursue a healthier lifestyle and maintain a more desirable weight.

The most commonly performed weight loss surgery is the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedure. With this surgery, the stomach is reduced to less than two ounces and attached to the Roux limb of the intestine. This reduces the amount of food the patient can eat and reduces the amount of calories the stomach absorbs. Within the first year, most patients lose three fourths of their excess body weight within the first twelve months after surgery.

Sleeve gastrectomy, also called gastric sleeve surgery, produces satisfactory results similar to that of the gastric bypass. Instead of a small round pouch, the bariatric surgeon removes most of the stomach and uses the remaining 10 percent to create a long cylindrical pouch. The decrease in stomach size reduces the production of hormones which make the patient hungry, leading to long-term appetite suppression.

Another common procedure is the laparoscopic gastric band surgery, sometimes called lap band surgery. A surgeon performing this procedure will install a LAP BAND around the top of the stomach. This adjustable band restricts the amount of food the patient is able to eat. Lap band weight surgery can be performed as an outpatient procedure and the patient can typically leave the hospital in less than 24 hours.

These options should be carefully considered by anyone living with obesity. For those in Oklahoma, there are free informational seminars available where critical questions can be answered by a board-certified bariatric surgeon.

Bariatric Surgery in Oklahoma: What Options are Available?

By: Toby Broussard

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