Obesity is a major health epidemic, and an estimated 97 million Americans are overweight or obese. Of these, 11 million suffer from severe obesity. Carrying too much weight puts you at risk for chronic diseases that could be prevented by achieving a healthy weight. At Rincon Surgery, Dr. Jorge Rincon offers bariatric surgery strategies that can help you manage and lose weight– especially if it is posing serious health risks. Adults who live in San Antonio or the surrounding areas can call the office or book an appointment online to find out about options for weight loss.
The American Obesity Association reports that obese individuals have a 50-100% increased risk of death as compared to normal weight individuals. This substantial increase in health risks has made obesity the second leading cause of preventable death in the United States. In addition to the possibility of a shorter life expectancy, other complications of obesity include:
Obese individuals may also suffer from psychological issues, such as depression and negative self-image. Obesity can make personal hygiene, public transportation, and even walking difficult.
Poor diet and bad exercise habits contribute to obesity. But how your body turns food into energy also affects your size. Your surroundings, psychological state, and genetics all influence how and why you gain weight.
Conventional approaches to weight loss help when you’re mildly or moderately overweight, but rarely succeed when you’re facing morbid obesity. Diet, exercise, and medication may result in short-term weight loss, but it’s usually quickly regained and extra often added – resulting in an unhealthy yo-yo pattern that can compound health and psychological problems.
Once your weight exceeds a certain range, you’re more likely to suffer from a wide range of illnesses, such as diabetes, sleep apnea, and asthma. Your chance of dying at a premature age also greatly increases. Employment prospects, mobility, and social acceptance also suffers. Depression is much more common in the morbidly obese.
The main aim of weight-loss surgery is to bring your weight down to a safer range so that most of these associated conditions are reduced in severity or completely reversed. People who undergo weight-loss surgery often see an improvement in their mobility, body image, self-esteem, and enjoyment of life.
Gastrointestinal surgery for obesity, also called bariatric surgery, changes the normal digestive process. The operations promote weight loss by decreasing absorption of nutrients and thereby reducing the calorie intake. The various procedures also shrink the size of your stomach and interfere with hunger hormones, so you don’t have cravings or the urge to overeat.
If your weight is causing dysfunction and illness, call Rincon Surgery or book a consultation online. Then come in to see Dr. Rincon and discuss your options for weight reduction.
