There’s no denying that excess weight undermines good health — and it’s the reason weight loss always ranks among the most popular New Year’s resolutions. There are the countless diets and weight-loss plans — some effective, most less so. For those who need to lose weight and are seeking out methods that work, more people are turning to medical science — and bariatric surgery is a viable option.
McLaren Port Huron’s Bariatric Center of Michigan is the Blue Water Area’s leader. The hospital’s bariatric services are the only ones certified by the national Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program.
It is important to note these services might not be the answer for everyone struggling with excessive weight, but McLaren Port Huron’s program is a viable option.
If you choose the hospital’s bariatric services, you can expect a comprehensive assessment that determines the best way to address your needs. It includes:
- A complete medical evaluation
- Surgical consultation
- Psychological and nutritional counseling
- Complete care before and after the operation
- A fully-monitored and specially-equipped unit for inpatient care
- Support groups
Among the most common types of bariatric surgery in the United States, gastric bypass is performed when diet and exercise are ineffective or serious health problems require significant weight loss. It changes your digestive system to help you lose weight by limiting how much you can eat, reducing the absorption of nutrients or both.
Weight-loss surgery isn't a quick fix. It’s a significant lifestyle change — and McLaren Port Huron’s team of bariatric specialists have been trained to assist people who choose bariatric procedures by helping them adopt more active, healthy habits. This comprehensive care increases the chances for long-term weight-loss success.
Determining if McLaren Port Huron’s bariatric services are appropriate for you starts with this self-assessment:
- Are you 100 pounds or more above your ideal body weight and want to lose weight?
- Do you have a body mass index of 40 or more? A body max index is the ratio of weight to height. MPH’s bariatric surgery website includes a BMI calculator.
- Do you have a BMI of 35 or greater with one or more obesity-related health condition(s)?
- Have other forms of weight control failed?
- Are you 18 years of age or older?
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- Are you well informed about the potential procedure and risks?
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If so, you may be a candidate for weight-loss surgery. Together, you and your McLaren bariatric surgeon will take steps to determine:
- If surgery is the right treatment for you
- Which type of procedure is right for you
- If you are mentally and emotionally prepared to make lifelong lifestyle changes
The prequalification process includes a series of tests. Candidates will meet in sessions with nutritionists, psychologists and other support staff members. This is essential because bariatric surgery is a surgical procedure that requires thorough information and consideration.
Consider, too, the health risks tied to excessive weight. Being significantly overweight increases the odds of developing heart disease, stroke and Type 2 diabetes. Certain types of cancer are also related to obesity, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In fact, the National Institutes of Health ranks obesity and excessive weight together as the second-leading cause of preventable death in the United States and estimates 300,000 deaths a year result from these conditions.
McLaren Port Huron has several bariatric procedures available to treat obesity, including the most successful at resolving Type 2 diabetes because of the metabolic change that occurs as a result of the procedure. Weight-loss surgery can help to decrease the incidence of diabetes. As many as 90% of patients have had improved glucose control following bariatric surgery, according to a recent national study.
McLaren Port Huron’s bariatric specialists can help you become a new, healthier you in 2021. If you believe bariatric surgery would improve your health and well-being, plan to attend a free informational seminar at McLaren Port Huron on Monday, January 14, from 5-6 p.m. To register or for more information, contact McLaren Port Huron’s Bariatric Center of Michigan at 810-989-3328.