Obesity weighs heavily on life.
Obesity is a life-threatening disease affecting
the lives of millions of Americans, and is associated with more than 30 medical issues including:
Type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, and hypertension.
What is Bariatric Surgery?
Bariatric Surgery alters the stomach, limiting the amount of food it can hold and/or the calories that can be absorbed.
CSHP offers Gastric Bypass and Lap Band surgery. It is possible to improve or resolve obesity-related conditions such as Type 2
diabetes, sleep apnea, high cholesterol, and risk of developing coronary heart disease with both procedures. Bariatric Surgery is
not a “quick fix”. It requires a commitment to life long change, both mentally and physically. Before surgery, you meet with your
surgeon, and will be put on a six month nutrition program with Registered Dietitians. You may talk to a diet counselor, and be
required to participate in a sleep study and/or other testing. After the surgery, your physician and team will follow your health
and progress for a period of time. Your diet and daily activities will have a great impact on your success.
Is weight loss surgery successful?
Long-term research shows that morbidly obese patients who had weight loss surgery maintain a significantly greater weight
loss over time. They also reduced high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and their diabetes symptoms compared to those who
did not have surgery.
How do I know if I’m a candidate?
Talk with your doctor about Bariatric Surgery first. Typically, candidates for the surgery have a body mass index (BMI) of 40
or more, or a BMI of 35+ with other risk factors such as heart disease or diabetes, but BMI is not the only qualifying factor.
If you have questions about the Bariatric Surgery
process, contact the Bariatric Coordinator, Doug Haddan, RN, BSN at 719-667-4206.
Gastric Bypass
A gastric bypass reduces the size of the stomach and bypasses part of the small intestine. Weight loss occurs because less
food can be consumed due to the stomach being smaller and less food is absorbed because less of the small intestine is used in
digestion.
Laparoscopic Adjustable Banding
A gastric band, sometimes called Lap-Band or adjustable gastric band, reduces the size of the stomach by placing an adjustable
band around the upper portion of the stomach. Weight loss occurs because the stomach can hold less food and over time, hunger
decreases. The band can be adjusted and most patients will need several
adjustments to find the right fit.
Q: Will my insurance cover Bariatric Surgery?
A: More and more insurance plans are including benefits for Bariatric Surgery, however each plan is different and some
plans have specific criteria and processes to go through before being approved. It is important that you check with your own insurance
plan to see if you have Bariatric benefits and check for any additional requirements.
Q: Will weight loss surgery help my other medical conditions?
A: Conditions associated with obesity such as type II diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, joint pain and others, have been
shown to improve significantly or even be completely resolved after weight loss surgery!
Q: How is my diet affected before and after surgery?
A: Before and after surgery you will meet with our dieticians to discuss how weight loss surgery changes your diet. It is important
to know that the surgery is one tool to help you with weight loss and changes in eating habits and diet will also need to take place for
you to be successful. Remember you are not alone! We’re here to help you through this process and have resources in place to assist you
throughout the process!