Obesity and GERD

Being obese or severely obese means you are at a higher risk for developing or worsening many serious medical conditions. There are more than 30 obesity-related medical conditions that can damage your quality of life and can also cause early death. Some of these obesity-related medical conditions include:

• arthritis

• several cancers

• carpal tunnel syndrome

• cardiovascular disease

• gallbladder disease

• gout, hypertension

• infertility, liver disease

• low back pain

• obstetric and gynecologic complications

• sleep apnea

• stroke

• type 2 diabetes and

• urinary stress incontinence

One way to measure obesity is by using the Body Mass Index (BMI). Determine your BMI by entering your height and weight into a BMI calculator.

Gastric Bypass Surgery

Gastric Bypass surgery is a treatment option for some people who suffer from morbid obesity. You would need to work with your doctor to determine if you would benefit from obesity surgery, which is a major operation that can change your life in many ways.

You should know the risks and benefits of the surgery and the commitment you will have to make to a change in your lifestyle and life-long follow-up appointments with your doctor and medical team. You should also take into account the health risks of being morbidly obese, and the health benefits you can gain from losing excess weight.

Do you qualify for gastric bypass surgery?

• If you are severely obese (BMI of 40 or more) or have a BMI of 35 to 39.9 with serious medical conditions (such as high blood cholesterol and triglycerides, hypertension, sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes and other serious cardiopulmonary disorders).

• If you have tried other methods of weight loss (changes in eating, behavior, increased physical activity and/or drug therapy) and are still severely obese.

• If you are unable to physically perform routine daily activities (work-related and family functions) and your quality of life is seriously impaired due to the severity of your obesity.

• If you understand the procedure, risks of surgery and effects after surgery.

• If you are motivated to making a lifelong behavioral commitment that includes well-balanced eating and physical activity habits which are needed to achieve the best results.

Lap Band Surgery

The Lap Band Surgery Procedure can help obese patients lose up to 90 percent of their excess body weight when diet and exercise don't help you to lose some of those unwanted pounds. Less invasive than gastric bypass surgery and fewer operative complications, this procedure is quickly becoming the most preferred weight loss surgical procedure. If you are more than 100 pounds over your normal body weight, have a BMI of 40 or more, tried numerous diets and exercise routines. yet still find yourself unable to lose the extra pounds, then the Lap Band procedure may be right for you.