You’ve tried the strategies: counting calories, recording points, drinking extra water, maybe even weight loss medication. But the pounds return. For millions of Americans, weight loss is a lifelong struggle that not only affects self-image, but overall health and well-being, putting you at risk for cardiovascular disease, stroke, and diabetes.
“If you’ve had trouble losing weight or keeping it off, surgical weight loss may be a solution,” said Toghrul Talishinskiy, MD, Chief of Bariatric Surgery and Director of Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery at St. Joseph’s Health. “Surgical procedures for weight loss are considered the most effective and long-lasting treatments for obesity and related illnesses so that patients experience improved health and quality of life.”
Bariatric procedures, including gastric bypass and gastric sleeve, restrict the amount of food that can be eaten or shorten the digestive tract to limit the calories that are absorbed. Typically, in 6 to 12 months, you lose 60-80 percent of your excess body weight, leading to significant impact in overall health:
- Type 2 diabetes goes into remission
- High blood pressure lowers
- Sleep apnea improves
- Cholesterol levels normalize
- Heart function improves
Dr. Talishinskiy said that bariatric surgery should be considered by anyone with a body mass index of 35-40 who has been unable to lose a substantial amount of weight on their own.
“Surgery is one critical step,” says Dr. Talishinskiy. “Patients need to be willing to make lifestyle changes, including diet and exercise, for long-term success and life-changing health.”
For more information or to schedule an evaluation, call the St. Joseph’s Health Weight Loss Surgery Center at 973-389-5265.
