Over 40 percent of U.S. adults are considered obese, and nearly three in four adults are overweight. Obesity is linked to increased risk for conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and certain types of cancer — leading causes of preventable, premature death — and depression and anxiety.
“Most morbidly obese patients can lose weight using lifestyle and eating habits modifications with or without medications, but studies are showing that the overwhelming majority, over 90% will eventually regain their weight. Bariatric or metabolic surgery changes that paradigm and dramatically increases long term weight loss and success rate," says, Philippe Quilici, M.D., FACS, director of the minimally invasive and metabolic surgery service at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center.
Considering weight-loss drugs?
Many have heard of newer medications that lead to significant weight loss, like Ozempic and Mounjaro, intended to treat type 2 diabetes, and anti-obesity drug Wegovy. But weight-loss drugs aren’t right for everyone. They can cost thousands of dollars each month and be hard to find during drug shortages. They don’t work for everyone and can cause side effects like nausea, constipation and diarrhea. And many people tend to regain weight once they stop taking medication.
Surgery to support long-term well-being
On the other hand, bariatric surgery can:
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Provide a more permanent weight-loss solution that doesn’t require decades of taking medication
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Add years to your lifespan by treating or preventing physical and mental health conditions
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Reduce health care costs — annual medical costs for adults who have obesity can be nearly $2,000 higher than those with a healthy weight
“These procedures save and sustain the lives of our patients,” says Dr. Quilici.
Minimally invasive, compassionate and personalized careAt Providence, we offer several bariatric surgical procedures, including gastric bypass surgery, gastric banding surgery and sleeve gastrectomy. Providence surgeons use laparoscopic (minimally invasive) techniques, which means fewer incisions, less pain and shorter recovery time. And in our nationally accredited bariatrics programs, our compassionate surgeons, dieticians, nutritionists and counselors work as a team to make sure surgery fits patients’ personal weight-loss plans and supports long-term success. |
Weight loss surgery: Is it right for you? Bariatric surgery is a serious medical procedure, not a cosmetic one, and should be discussed thoroughly with a health care provider. The ideal bariatric candidate has a:
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