Weight Loss Surgery in Idaho

                                                                                         

We Idahoans take freedom seriously. Sadly, however, our freedom is being threatened by a disease – a disease that can limit our activities, our health, and our lives. That disease is obesity.

Obesity is the condition of being significantly above one’s healthy weight, and it is epidemic in our society. In the Gem State alone more than 60% of the population is overweight or obese. Our state spends over $227 million hard-earned tax dollars every year treating obesity and related illnesses. Obesity is the second leading cause of preventable death in the United States, and may lead to co-morbidities, which are other life-threatening conditions, like diabetes and heart disease.

Are you obese? It’s easy to find out. Healthy weight is calculated in terms of individual body mass index (BMI), and BMI is calculated by the following formula: weight in pounds x 703 / (height in inches)2

If you have a BMI of at least 25, you are considered overweight; if your BMI is 30 or above, you are considered obese. Many scientists and physicians believe that the obesity epidemic is the most serious health threat facing the population of our state. For the sake of ourselves and our children, Idaho must act to stop the obesity epidemic from spreading.

Obesity as a Disease

Obesity is not a character flaw. It is a disease, and one difficult to treat. Fad diets, exercise programs, and weight-loss shakes or pills only address the symptoms of obesity -- they are not treatments, and are certainly not the cure.

The cure for obesity is to establish healthy living habits for a lifetime. Some can do this by willpower alone. Others need a medically-supervised diet and program of counseling. And for those for who these methods are insufficient, another option exists: weight loss surgery.

The Surgical Option

For those with a BMI of 35 or higher and one or more co-morbidities, surgical weight loss – also known as bariatric surgery -- has been proven a lifesaver. It can also help those who are obese but have no co-morbidities to head off the consequences of obesity. The most widely-used procedure, La-band surgery, is performed laparoscopically under general anesthesia. and involves the implantation of a small inflatable band on the patient’s stomach. When inflated, this band creates a small pouch for ingested food; the patient feels full right away, and therefore eats less.

No Magic Wand

Weight loss surgery is not a magic wand that can make obesity disappear. Those who have the surgery but fail to heed postoperative instructions may regain any weight lost. Weight loss surgery is almost always irreversible, as well.

If you struggle with obesity and are thinking about having bariatric surgery, be sure to consult with your physician and a qualified bariatric surgeon regarding the risks and possible outcomes of the different procedures.

As part of a program of medical care, weight loss surgery can be a true lifesaver. But, recovery from obesity requires a lifelong commitment to healthy living to remain effective. We Idahoans should be ready to make that commitment if we want to preserve the health and freedom we enjoy.

About the author:
Weight loss surgery in Idaho is a growing trend, since more than 60% of the state population is overweight or obese. Visit online website for Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery .

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