Bariatric Surgery Yields Dramatic Lifestyle Changes and Results

Bariatric surgery, sometimes called stomach stapling or gastric bypass, advances weight loss, has helped thousands of people tackle obesity and work toward improved health. As many as 15 million Americans are morbidly obese. Bariatrics is the field of medicine that specializes in treating obesity.

"Bariatric surgery is a powerful tool but is not by itself a cure. To be successful, it must be combined with healthy lifestyle behaviors," says Prithvi Legha, M.D., CMG surgeon who has performed more than 1,000 bariatric procedures. "Many people feel this program helps them get their life back, and this is the greatest reward for all of us."

• How does it work?
• How much is too much?
• Other Weight Management Choices

How does it work?

Camino Medical Group's bariatric surgeons use the most common procedure, gastric bypass Roux-en-Y, which has a long history of success and a reputation as the "gold standard." A very small stomach pouch is created, reducing the stomach to greatly restrict the amount of food you can eat. This gastric bypass procedure produces more weight loss than surgeries such as gastric banding that only restrict the amount of food a person can eat.

"Anyone who wants to undergo bariatric surgery must give up many foods, be willing to exercise daily and commit to medical follow ups for the rest of their life," explains Dr. Legha.

Patients are carefully screened to determine eligibility and must attend educational classes aimed at helping them make lifestyle changes prior to surgery. Candidates for obesity surgery, which is not reversible, must be more than 100 pounds overweight and have a body mass index (BMI) greater than 40.

Patients may also be eligible for surgery if they have two or more obesity-related illnesses, such as diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, hypertension, sleep apnea or other serious health problems.

CMG's Center for Weight Management can help you make a decision that's right for you, help you understand how your day-to-day life will be different, and support you as you take each step. Before bariatric surgery, each patient attends a free educational orientation and receives a personal evaluation by CMG's medical and behavioral team.

Bariatric surgery alters your body but not your mindset, so CMG holds regular support group meetings, facilitated by a health specialist, for people who have undergone the procedure.

If you are interested in bariatric surgery, please call Susan Nachshen, department coordinator at 650-404-8400 ext. 4619 to make an appointment for a free orientation.


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How much is too much?

Calculate your BMI.

BMI Weight Status
Below 18.5 Underweight
18.5 -24.9 Normal
25 - 29.9 Overweight
30 - 39 Obese
40 and above - Morbidly obese


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Other Weight Management Choices

To learn more about other ways to lose weight, consider one of CMG's classes in nutrition and fitness.

• Health Management Resources (HMR) Program for Weight Management: The HMR Program specializes in professional programs for weight and health management, and is the nation's leading provider of weight treatment services to the medical community.
  
  
• Lifesteps Weight Management: This 14-week weight management class combines goal setting, low-fat meal planning and becoming more physically active. Please call 408-523-3222 for session dates.
  
  
• Shapedown: This is a 9-week weight management program for children ages 8 to 15. Parents participate in this program, which takes a unique approach to helping the family create an active lifestyle with a healthy eating plan.

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