By: Dr. Gail Wynn, Christiana Institute of Advanced Surgery

Three out of five Americans are either overweight or obese. One in five are morbidly obese, where they are at least 100lbs overweight. Once a person becomes 100 lbs overweight, they are at risk for developing medical problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, heart disease, urinary incontinence, GERD, fatty liver and hepatitis, arthritis, back pain, blood clots to the legs and lungs, as well as higher risk of cancer and early death. Losing the excess weight helps cure these ailments. The problem is getting started and keeping the weight off.

Many people are successful in losing weight. Less than 95% of people are successful in keeping it off. Weight loss surgery offers this opportunity. Weight loss surgery allows people to lose over 50% of their excess weight. By reducing the size of the stomach and bypassing some of the small intestine to decrease the absorption of food, people are able to lose 50-75% of their excess weight within one year with the gastric bypass. So, if you are 100 lbs overweight, you should lose 50-75 lbs with a gastric bypass. By placing a silicone band around the upper part of the stomach (called a gastric band) and thus reducing how much the stomach can hold, a person can lose 50-60% of their excess weight after 2-3 years. These procedures allow a person to lose the weight rapidly and get rid of medical problems. Studies show that with weight loss surgery, diabetes is cured in over 90% with the gastric bypass and over 60% with gastric banding. High blood pressure is cured in over 75% with gastric bypass and over 60% with gastric banding. Sleep apnea is cured in over 75% with gastric bypass and over 60% with gastric banding. GERD resolves 99% after gastric bypass and over 75% with the gastric band. A recent study shows that the risk of death from cancer is decreased by 50% in patients who underwent weight loss surgery.  The gastric band and bypass provide a lifelong tool to help someone lose weight and keep it off. However, it requires commitment. A commitment to a lifestyle of change with dedication to better eating habits and exercise. The rewards are tremendous. Imagine a life without medications for diabetes or high blood pressure. Imagine being able to walk a block without being short of breath. Imagine a night of restful sleep. If you suffer from morbid obesity, consider weight loss surgery.

At the Christiana Institute of Advanced Surgery (Chrias) we offer bariatric surgery as part of a comprehensive weight loss surgery program. Our surgeons have performed more than 2000 operations with excellent results. The Chrias surgeons were the first surgeons to make laparoscopic Gastric Bypass the standard operation in Delaware and the first laparoscopic adjustable gastric band in Delaware was performed by the Chrias surgeons. Chrias surgeons started and established laparoscopic bariatric surgery in the areas two leading hospitals, Christiana Hospital and St Francis Hospital, and helped both institutions earn the prestigious designation of Center of Excellence for Bariatric Surgery.

For more information or to schedule a consultation, please contact the Christiana Institute of Advanced Surgery at 302-892-9900 or visit www.chrias.com.