Brazosport Regional Health System now houses the only Bariatric Center in Southern Brazoria County. We provide comprehensive services for patients seeking relief from morbid obesity and weight-related health conditions through weight loss surgery. Obesity is the second leading cause of preventable death in the United States and with bariatric surgery you will be able to live a longer and healthier life!
Understanding Obesity
Obesity can affect the quality of life through limited mobility and decreased physical endurance. People who are significantly overweight or obese often face serious health consequences including increased risk for premature death, risk of other serious health issues, such as diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure and sleep apnea. Obesity appears to have a stronger association than smoking or problem drinking with chronic medical conditions, reduced health-related quality of life and increased healthcare and medication spending.
The most common measurement for obesity is Body Mass Index (BMI). Please enter your weight and height to calculate your BMI.
Weight loss surgery is recommended as a treatment option for persons with obesity that have:
1) a BMI of 40 or higher or
2) a BMI of 35-39.2 with serious medical conditions
Key weight loss benefits:
- Reduces diabetic risk and treats pre-existing diabetes
- Reduces heart disease
- Reduces high blood pressure
- Decreases risk of stroke
- Eases depression
- Reduces shortness of breath
- Lowers cholesterol
- Reduces asthma
- Improves or prevents osteoarthritis
- Treats sleep apnea
- Treats acid reflux
- Improves hypothyroidism
Before Your Surgery
The decision to undergo surgery to control obesity should be considered very carefully and should only be chosen after all other options for weight control are exhausted. Success after surgery solely depends on you. Surgery is only a tool that assists in weight loss therefore a variety of lifestyle changes will have to be made to make sure you maintain optimal results.
Your bariatric team of specialists includes a board-certified bariatric surgeon, your primary care physician, a registered dietician, clinical psychologist and YOU. Keep in mind that weight loss alone is not the only goal of our program. Our goal is to help you incorporate a healthy lifestyle by exercising and redefining your relationship with food. Your commitment of a new, healthier lifestyle is the key that will enable you to lose your excess weight and keep it off for life!
Surgery
We are dedicated to providing you with a complete range of proven weight management treatments. Brazosport Regional offers laparoscopic bariatric surgery using the only adjustable and completely reversible weight loss surgery available in the United States. Laparoscopic surgical treatment is minimally invasive surgery that offers the patients numerous benefits over traditional “open” surgeries, including faster recovery and lowered risk of some complications. Bariatric surgery was developed to facilitate long-term weight loss and reduce the health risks associated with severe and morbid obesity.
- Lap-Band Surgery
Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding is one of the most frequently performed types of weight loss surgery for the treatment of obesity. The LAP-BAND(R) System is a medical device designed to help severely overweight people achieve long-term weight loss. The Lap-Band is a silicone belt or collar that goes around the upper part of the stomach that helps you reduce your food intake. After the reversible surgery, your stomach will be roughly the size of a golf ball, and only able to hold an ounce of food.
In clinical studies of severely obese patients, the LAP-BANDŽ System has been demonstrated to be an effective surgical method not only for weight loss but for improving co-morbid conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and reducing the use of medication to treat those conditions.
- Gastric Sleeving
During the gastric sleeve surgery, a board-certified bariatric surgeon removes about 60 to 80% of the stomach so that it takes the shape of a tube or sleeve. Gastric Sleeve Surgery permanently reduces the size of the stomach and promotes weight loss by limiting food intake and lessening the sensation of hunger. According to the Consumer Guide to Bariatric Surgery, current literature supports the use of gastric sleeving as a primary bariatric procedure. Many patients prefer the gastric sleeve surgery because it does not involve the placement of foreign materials in the body and does not require future adjustments. For additional information about gastric sleeving, please click here.
After Surgery
The Lap-Band procedure is considered a day surgery and you may go home following your surgery. However, some insurance carriers require a 24 hour observation period. You and your physician will consult on a regular basis to ensure your recovery is running smoothly. The clinical dieticians at Brazosport Regional are continuously available to make sure you are staying on the right track. Although you underwent weight loss surgery, your participation is required to optimize weight control and maintain nutritional health.
Brazosport Regional delivers personalize quality care in weight loss surgery. We are committed to long-term follow-up care of our patients, thus we feel that this is vital for the most successful outcomes. Along with consulting with your physician multiple times in the first year, we provide a network of people to share experiences and help answer any additional questions you may have.
Support Groups
A monthly support group meets at Brazosport Regional for pre- and post- surgical patients to give emotional support to one another, share experiences, and reinforce positive behaviors to maintain long-term weight loss goals. Patients can also learn from other patient success stories and challenges. The group meets the 2nd Monday of the month at 5:30 PM in the classrooms. To receive more information about the group, please click here.
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