By: centraljersey.com
It’s no secret that carrying extra weight can dramatically affect a person’s overall health, self-esteem and ability to perform everyday tasks.
And the heavier a person is and the longer they remain overweight, the more at risk they are for serious diseases and complications.
In fact, obesity is associated with more than 30 serious diseases and conditions including diabetes, heart disease, sleep apnea, hypertension, asthma, joint problems, infertility and cancer.
Losing weight can eliminate or greatly reduce the risk of developing certain diseases, while at the same time, improve or resolve related conditions.
The Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence at University Medical Center at Princeton offers safe and effective weight loss surgery treatment options to help people overcome obesity and lead healthier lives. Two of the most common procedures are gastric bypass surgery, and gastric banding, also referred to as lap banding.
– Gastric Bypass. One of the most common weight loss procedures in the United States today, gastric bypass surgery is increasingly performed using a minimally invasive approach.
During the procedure, surgeons separate the stomach into two unequal compartments with less than 5 percent of the stomach remaining for food consumption.
On average, gastric bypass patients can expect to lose as much as 70 percent of their excess weight within one year. Total weight loss will vary depending on how much the patient weighs prior to surgery.
– Gastric Banding. Laparoscopic stomach banding through the Lap-Band System is an alternative to gastric bypass surgery, the least invasive option for weight loss surgery, and the only truly reversible option.
With this procedure, an adjustable band is surgically placed around the patient’s stomach. The band is tightened to create a smaller stomach pouch that restricts how much a patient can consume.
In general, gastric banding patients can expect to lose as much as 50 percent of their excess weight. As in gastric bypass surgery, total weight loss will vary depending on the patient’s weight prior to the procedure.
Deciding to undergo bariatric surgery and selecting the right procedure are highly personal decisions that should be made after speaking with family physicians, loved ones and friends and with a clear understanding of the risks and benefits of surgery. Bariatric surgery has proven to be a safe and successful clinical treatment for morbid obesity. In general, candidates for weight loss surgery must have a body mass index of more than 40 (35 for patients with other medical problems) and have failed to achieve weight loss using traditional methods.
Most patients who undergo weight loss surgery lose more than 100 pounds during their first year. Some patients lose weight for more than two years following the procedure, and may lose in excess of 200 pounds during that time. Patients often report remarkable improvements in their health, quality of life, social interactions, psychological well-being, employment opportunities and economic condition.
But no matter what procedure a patient selects, it is important for patients to remember that bariatric surgery is a tool to help people achieve their weight loss goals. Results vary from patient to patient, with the best results coming from those who are committed to lifestyle changes such as exercising, eating a healthy diet and limiting portion sizes.
University Medical Center at Princeton is one of the few hospitals in New Jersey to be designated as a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence. Through this designation, the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery has recognized University Medical Center at Princeton and its surgeons as among those providing superior bariatric surgery care and promoting optimal levels of performance. In addition to a skilled surgical team, UMCP offers a range of health and wellness services to help support bariatric surgery patients with lifelong weight management.
Learn more about bariatric surgery during my live Web-chat hosted by Princeton HealthCare System on Thursday, March 24, at 7 p.m. I will take your questions and discuss options in bariatric surgery. To participate, simply go to the UStream Channel at www.ustream.tv/channel/princetonhealth. To pre-register visit www.princetonhcs.org or call 888-897-8979. Basic computer requirements for the chat are a PC or Mac with Adobe Flash Player installed and a broadband Internet connection.
To learn more about bariatric surgery options, or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Chau, call 609-785-5870 or visit www.princetonhcs.org/bariatricsurgery.
Wai-Yip Chau, M.D., is board-certified in general surgery and is a member of the medical staff at University Medical Center at Princeton. Through a new affiliation with UMCP, Dr. Chau is now participating in commercial insurance plans including Aetna, Amerihealth, Cigna, United Healthcare and Oxford, with additional plans being added in the near future.

