Before Surgery

Before Surgery2018-10-16T13:08:33-07:00
Find answers to your questions about bariatric surgery at Willamette Valley Weight Loss Center.

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If you don’t see your question here please call our office at (503) 434-6060 and we’d be happy to help you find the answer.

We have included a list of questions most asked by our patients and we hope they will help you. If you don’t see your question here please call our office at 503-434-6060 and we’d be happy to help you find the answer.

Is weight-loss surgery effective?2017-03-29T18:35:17-07:00

Weight loss using conservative measures (diet, exercise, drugs, behavior modification, etc.) fail 95 to 97% of the time. The medical literature overwhelmingly supports weight loss surgery as the only effective treatment that stands the test of time. Data for weight loss are reported as excess weight loss. This is reported as a percentage of the excess weight that is lost.

 

Weight loss following surgery for morbid obesity varies, depending on many factors, including the patient’s age, initial weight, ability to exercise, and the type of operation. The average excess weight loss following a Roux-en-Y morbid obesity surgery at is 60 to 70%. Weight loss reaches a peak 12 to 18 months following surgery. After two years, it is not unusual to gain 10 to 15 pounds and then stabilize.

 

Absolute weight loss is not as important as quality of life. Weight loss surgery can cure or control many of the serious diseases that accompany morbid obesity. Most diabetic patients improve dramatically, many of them not requiring medication after morbid obesity surgery. High blood pressure resolves in over 50% of patients.

 

Unfortunately, this resolution may not be permanent and hypertension may recur later in life. Sleep apnea improves or disappears, often early in the weight loss period. The same may happen with urinary incontinence, acid reflux, or menstrual problems. Swelling of the legs and joint pain often improve. The changes in cholesterol and other blood lipids may reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Many infertile women are able to conceive and have safer pregnancies.

Is surgery right for me?2017-03-29T18:32:50-07:00

We invite you to attend a free information session at the Willamette Valley Medical Center Weight Loss Surgery program to learn more and to have your questions answered in an informal setting. Reserve your seat now!

Is the operation safe?2017-01-19T00:18:25-08:00

Weight loss surgery has been studied for approximately 20 years. Early complications are directly related to the operative procedure. These include but are not limited to infection, bleeding, and intestinal leakage. In all reported problems, the long-term risks of morbid obesity far outweigh the risks of the surgery.

The mortality risk rate for an obese person is 1-2% per year, compared to the actual risk of having Bariatric surgery, which averages from .05% (Adjustable Gastric Band) to .5% (Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass).

That means there is a higher risk for someone who does not get the surgery than the one who does.

What weight-loss surgeries and procedures are available at Willamette Valley Medical Center Weight Loss Surgery?2017-03-29T18:32:08-07:00
  • Adjustable Gastric Band
  • Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy
  • Roux-en-Y Gastric bypass
  • The Orbera Balloon System – A non-surgical procedure that is for low BMI individuals

If you would like to schedule a consultation, reserve your seat for one of our free educational seminars by registering below or calling our office at (503) 434-6060 for more information.

Is weight-loss surgery an option for me?2017-04-05T23:13:42-07:00

If you are obese, weight loss surgery (bariatric surgery) may be an option to help you control your weight. Bariatric surgery is intended for people who are approximately 100 pounds or more overweight (with a Body Mass Index of 40 or greater) and who have not had success with other medical therapies such as diet, exercise, medications, etc. In some cases, a person with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 to 35 or greater with one or more co-morbid conditions may be considered for low BMI bariatric surgery.

Am I a candidate for weight loss surgery?2017-04-05T23:14:17-07:00

According to the National Institutes of Health, anyone weighing 20% or more than the ideal for his or her body is obese. At that point, the extra weight becomes a health risk, contributing to a number of conditions – many of them life-threatening.

One way to determine whether you are obese is by calculating your Body Mass Index (BMI). An individual whose BMI is in the 25-29.9 range is considered overweight. A BMI of 30 or higher signals obesity. A BMI of 40 or greater is considered morbidly obese, or obesity at a level significant enough to be life-threatening.


How do you define obesity?2017-01-19T00:18:10-08:00

The Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) determines obesity for adults by using a body mass index (BMI). This calculation factors an individual’s weight and height to determine whether they are underweight, within normal range, overweight or obese. This is primarily used because for most patients this correlates with the amount of fat their body is storing.

What is Bariatrics?2017-01-19T00:18:03-08:00

Bariatrics is a specialty that focuses on the study, diagnosis and treatment of obesity.

How do I make an appointment?2017-03-29T18:26:01-07:00

If you would like to schedule a consultation, reserve your seat for one of our free educational seminars by registering below or calling our office at (503) 434-6060 for more information.

 

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