With more than 30 percent of American adults overweight, obesity has become a health crisis of epidemic proportion in the United States. Unfortunately, many people who suffer from morbid obesity are unable to sustain effective weight loss with diet, medication, and exercise. For such people, more dramatic measures must be taken to achieve a healthy weight, and they may be good candidates for weight loss surgery. The decision to undergo weight loss surgery is not one to be taken lightly, and our Pleasanton, San Ramon, and East Bay-area patients must participate in psychological and nutritional counseling before undergoing a bariatric surgery procedure. Dat T. Nguyen, M.D., works with each prospective patient to make sure he or she is physically and emotionally ready to embark upon the dramatic lifestyle changes that are necessary to a successful outcome. If you think you may be a candidate for weight loss surgery at our East Bay center located in Pleasanton, we invite you to read on for more information.
Weight loss surgery procedures, even laparoscopic procedures such as Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, laparoscopic adjustable gastric band placement (REALIZE™ Band or LAP-BAND®), and Revision of Vertical Banded Gastroplasty, have low probability of but potential serious risks to patients. To be a good candidate for weight loss surgery at our East Bay practice in Pleasanton, the benefits of the procedure must outweigh the established risks.
To qualify for weight loss surgery, a person must be morbidly obese, or have a body mass index that is greater than 40. Generally, a patient who is 80 pounds overweight and suffers from serious health conditions related to obesity may be considered for weight loss surgery at Dr. Nguyen’s San Ramon-area practice. In addition to morbid obesity, the ideal candidate for weight loss surgery displays serious obesity-related health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, or respiratory problems such as sleep apnea. When a health condition can be directly related to a person’s morbid obesity, it is known as a co-morbidity.
Generally, children and teens are not considered good candidates for weight loss surgery because their bodies are still growing and there is a chance they will lose weight through diet modification and exercise. Because of the health risks associated with weight loss surgery and the lifestyle changes that are crucial to a successful outcome, many patients who are over 60 years old may also not qualify as candidates.
It is important for all patients to have realistic expectations regarding their weight loss surgery. While bariatric surgery offers patients rapid and sustainable weight loss, patients must realize that it is not a “quick fix” for obesity, but rather a tool for them to use in their journey to a healthier life. Commitment to a new, healthy lifestyle is critical to a patient’s success after weight loss surgery. Patients must be fully dedicated to closely monitoring their nutrition and exercising consistently. Additionally, patients who undergo weight loss surgery at our center near San Ramon must often make adjustments to their emotional coping habits, which often involve turning to food for comfort. Such dramatic lifestyle changes require extreme effort on the part of patients, and many patients can feel frustrated or daunted by the prospect of so many adjustments. Dr. Nguyen and his staff can help patients find a team of counselors, nutritionists, and physical trainers to help them achieve their goals, but first the patient must show that he or she has the courage, motivation, and dedication necessary to work toward a new lifestyle every day.
Weight loss surgery may be the key to long-term weight loss and a life that is longer, healthier, and more satisfying. If you suffer from obesity that is not manageable with diet and exercise and you are dedicated to making necessary lifestyle modifications, you may be a candidate for weight loss surgery at our Pleasanton practice, near San Ramon in the East Bay. We encourage you to take the first step and contact our office to schedule a weight loss surgery consultation with Dr. Nguyen.
Contact our weight loss surgery center in Pleasanton, serving San Ramon and East Bay, to see if you may be a candidate.
Dat T. Nguyen, M.D., Inc.
5565 W. Las Positas Blvd. Ste. 360, Pleasanton, California 94588
Phone: (925) 460-3205
Fax: (925) 460-3795
Dr. Dat Tien Nguyen is a very personable and experienced colorectal and cancer surgeon....
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