Located in Medford, Oregon, the Southern Oregon Bariatric Center specializes in providing a comprehensive program to treat morbid obesity, including open and laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric bypass surgery and the Adjustable Gastric Banding Procedure or (LAP-BAND® System). These kinds of surgery are also called bariatric surgery. We specialize in treating the unique problems and challenges of surgical weight loss patients.
If you are severely obese and want to explore more aggressive steps to take control of your body and life, Southern Oregon Bariatric Center in Medford can provide the help you need. Gastric bypass or LAP-BAND® surgery may be the solution for you.
The Problem of Obesity
Today 97 million Americans, more than one-third of the adult population, are overweight or obese. Obesity is a chronic, metabolic disease that results from the excessive accumulation of fat that exceeds the body's skeletal and physical standards. It is the most common form of malnutrition in the Western World.
The number of obese Americans has increased dramatically since 1960 - a trend that is not showing any sign of slowing down. Based on current trends, obesity and related illnesses will become the #1 cause of preventable deaths by 2005. Excess body fat not only affects your physical health and longevity — it can have devastating effects on your social and personal relationships, as well as your psychological well being.
Obesity usually becomes medically defined as "morbid" when a person is more than 100 pounds his or her ideal body weight and at risk for severe health effects. These include diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, certain cancers, and depression. Research shows a morbidly obese person's life expectancy is reduced by 13 to 20 years.
For most morbidly obese patients, traditional diets and exercise only prove temporary success and eventually end in failure. Even with an intense effort, statistics show most of these efforts just lead to "yo-yo" dieting, which can bring additional health problems. Only a small percentage of obese people are successful in losing and keeping off excess weight. Repeated lack of success at losing weight can lead to feelings of inadequacy and failure.
Other people probably have made you feel the root of your problem is self-control. However, research shows obesity is much more than a simple struggle with willpower. It has more than one cause. Obesity is caused by multiple, complex factors including lack of exercise, a sedentary lifestyle, increased caloric intake, compulsive overeating, and/or genetic influences.
Many patients who have had gastric bypass surgery lose more than 100 pounds during the following year. LAP-BAND® patients will lose the weight a little more slowly. In either case, with accompanying lifestyle changes, bariatric surgery can lead to a healthier and longer life. After losing their excess weight, patients report improvements in their health, quality of life, social interactions, psychological well being, and employment opportunities.
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