Why Treat Obesity with Surgery?
Persons who are morbidly obese have usually tried many approaches to eliminating their weight problem. Dieting for many has not been successful in taking and keeping off excess weight; repeated attempts to diet often result in failure. This leads to frustration with feelings of guilt and inadequacy. Over time, many resign themselves to being permanently overweight. In contrast to the results obtained by people with mild obesity, non-surgical methods of weight control have been generally unsuccessful in morbid obesity. Of those who initially succeed with dieting, most regain the weight they have lost and more! Commonly the "cure" rate for morbid obesity is less than 5% with non-surgical methods.
The morbidly obese person now has another option to consider in the effort to achieve normal weight. It is a surgical procedure called the Duodenal Switch Procedure. The procedure is a major surgery that rearranges the intestines so that the majority of food calories are not absorbed, resulting in progressive, long-term weight loss in most obese persons. It is important to be aware that many physical, social, and emotional changes occur as a result of this surgery.
The risks as well as the benefits must be understood.
What We Have Learned
Most patients lose around 80% of their excess weight in the first year after surgery. Gradual weight loss may continue for another year, until weight stabilizes. As weight decreases, more physical activities will be possible. Patients typically feel better and are more energetic than before their surgery.
Although no one can guarantee the amount of weight that will be lost or the absence of any complications, we continue to be pleased with the results. During their return visits to our offices, most patients report that they feel better, look better, and like themselves much more than they did before their surgery.
The surgical treatment of obesity is an evolving process. We are learning and modifying techniques over time, resulting in more positive outcomes for our patients. Those complications that have occurred provide us with new insights, which are used to benefit future patients. Since we don't yet have complete knowledge of long-term results, we ask to see our patients in follow-up for many years after the surgery. These visits provide information we use to refine the care we provide and improve the quality of life for people suffering from obesity.
If you decide to have the surgery or wish to have more information, we can supply more information about hospital procedure and post-operative diet and activity. Additionally, we will be happy to answer any questions you have at any time.
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