Category: Obesity

Weight Loss Surgery and Diabetes: What You Need to Know About Gastric Bypass

Posted on January 3, 2019

bariatric surgeon and type two diabetes

When determining which weight loss surgery is going to be right for you, there’s most definitely a lot to learn and a range of factors to consider. While gastric sleeve, gastric bypass and the LAP-BAND each offer their own unique benefits, for those who are obese and have poorly controlled diabetes, there’s one that deserves a closer look, and that’s the gastric bypass procedure.

Since we now have countless studies proving gastric bypass has the ability to cure type 2 diabetes, this is often the best option for many who’ve been unable to get their diabetes under control.

Gastric Bypass: A Proven Cure for Diabetes

With excess body fat being one of the main contributors to type 2 diabetes, weight loss surgery is recognized as the most effective treatment among affected individuals with a BMI of 35 or more.

According to the American Society for Metbolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS):

  • 95% of patients see an improvement in type 2 diabetes after gastric bypass surgery
  • 80% of patients with type 2 diabetes experience remission after gastric bypass surgery

Simply looking at the rates at which diabetes has been cured or improved through gastric bypass gives many hope in finding the cure they’ve been searching for.

The Importance of Curing Diabetes As Soon As Possible

Diabetes is the 7th leading cause of death in the U.S., according to the Center of Disease Control, reducing life expectancy by a startling 12 to 14 years. This is exactly why it’s so important to seek treatment for complete remission or improvement as soon as possible.

Through gastric bypass, you’ll dramatically increase your chances of achieving normal blood sugar levels and eliminate the need for diabetes medications. This alone has ability to help you take control of your health and once again, live your life to the absolute fullest.

Learn More About Gastric Bypass for Diabetes at Birmingham Minimally Invasive Surgery Today

Birmingham Minimally Invasive Surgery is a caring group of professionals who specialize in all types of bariatric surgery.  Our surgeon Dr. Jay Long has highly specialized training in bariatric surgery, having completed a fellowship in minimally invasive and bariatric surgery at The Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas, where he focused on taking care of patients that are morbidly obese.  And we are so proud of our pricing that we publish the costs right on the front page of our website!  Insurance won’t pay?  We have a variety of financing options we can offer you so that you are able to get the healthy body you’ve wanted for years.  Visit us today at http://www.bmisurgery.com/ or give us a call to set up a consultation at 205-833-6907.

Health Complications of the Obesity Epidemic

Posted on December 27, 2017

weight loss

Obesity is one of the leading causes of sickness and death in the United States. In fact, obesity-related diseases cause more than 300,000 deaths every year. Taking care of your health by managing your weight is one of the best things you can do to maximize your opportunity to live a long, healthy and enjoyable life.

It’s worth noting that it isn’t necessarily the excess fat stored in an obese person’s body that causes so many deaths. Instead, it is the myriad diseases and conditions that frequently result from being so overweight.

Here are a few examples:

Gout

Gout is a disease that causes uric acid in the blood to rise to unsafe levels. This leads to painful flare-ups and pain in the joints.

Cancer

Everyone has some risk of cancer, but being obese can significantly increase the risks associated with cancer — and particularly specific types of cancer. Some of the cancers with the greatest increase in risk include kidney cancer, esophageal cancer, colon cancer and breast cancer. However, there is some evidence that other cancers can become more likely in some people who are chronically obese.

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is a particularly unfortunate obesity-related disease. While some people are unfortunate enough to be genetically predisposed to diabetes, Type 2 diabetes is frequently linked to preventable causes, like obesity.

Type 2 diabetes can lead to a significant reduction in quality of life and can severely reduce life expectancy for those diagnosed.

Heart Disease

One of the better-known complications associated with obesity, heart disease continues to be one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Heart disease is a broad term used to describe conditions such as a heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and a number of other conditions. Individuals who are obese but take significant efforts to reduce their weight and improve their health can reduce the risk of heart disease.

Osteoarthritis

The additional weight and strain that an obese person puts on his or her joints can lead to a number of conditions, including osteoarthritis. This condition is defined by the wearing down of cartilage in the joints, leading to pain, reduced mobility and numbness throughout various parts of the body.

Obesity can lead to many negative health conditions. Take charge of your health today by managing your diet and getting your body to a healthy weight!

Health Risks Tied to Obesity

Posted on December 27, 2017

Obesity has been a big health problem in the U.S. for years, and there’s no sign of it going away soon. In fact, more than one-third of adults in the U.S. are obese, and they face risks of developing serious weight-related conditions.

If your body mass index (BMI) is 30 or higher, get to know the health risks that come with obesity as well as the options available to help you lose weight.

Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is just one of the health risks of obesity. It occurs because being obese puts extra stress on the cells, affecting the insulin receptors. Common symptoms of diabetes include extreme thirst, frequent urination, headaches and infections that take a long time to heal.

High Blood Pressure

Having too much body fat means your heart has to work harder to circulate your blood. This puts pressure on the walls of the arteries. High blood pressure usually doesn’t result in obvious symptoms, so you should talk to your doctor if you’re at risk for this condition.

Cholesterol Imbalance and Heart Disease

Obesity can lower the levels of good cholesterol in the body, which in turn can increase the risk of stroke and heart disease. These conditions are often life-threatening, so it’s important to get to a healthy weight as soon as possible.

Sleep Apnea

Obesity can also lead to sleep apnea. This is a serious condition that causes you to stop breathing for a few seconds at a time. Sleep apnea not only reduces your quality of sleep, but it can also deprive your brain of oxygen, which can result in life-threatening health problems.

How to Avoid These Conditions

The only way to avoid these and other obesity-related health problems are to lose weight. Of course, that’s easier said than done. If you’re having trouble losing weight with a healthy diet and regular exercise, you can talk to a doctor about other options.

One method of weight loss right for some obese people is surgery. There are several types of weight loss surgery you can look into if you need to lose weight quickly. They include a gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, and the Lap-Band, to name the most common options. With these surgeries, the point is to reduce the capacity of the stomach so you do not need to eat much to feel full, which should lead to major weight loss within months.

Of course, the effects of weight loss surgery are meant to be permanent, so talk to a medical professional to make sure you are a good candidate. Once you qualify, you can look forward to enjoying a healthy weight faster than you might imagine.

Health Risks Tied to Obesity – Body Mass Index

Posted on May 25, 2017

Health Risks Tied To Obesity

Obesity has been a big health problem in the U.S. for years, and there’s no sign of it going away soon. In fact, more than one-third of adults in the U.S. are obese, and they face risks of developing serious weight-related conditions.

If your body mass index (BMI) is 30 or higher, get to know the health risks that come with obesity as well as the options available to help you lose weight.

Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is just one of the health risks of obesity. It occurs because being obese puts extra stress on the cells, affecting the insulin receptors. Common symptoms of diabetes include extreme thirst, frequent urination, headaches, and infections that take a long time to heal.

High Blood Pressure

Having too much body fat means your heart has to work harder to circulate your blood. This puts pressure on the walls of the arteries. High blood pressure usually doesn’t result in obvious symptoms, so you should talk to your doctor if you’re at risk for this condition.

Cholesterol Imbalance and Heart Disease

Obesity can lower the levels of good cholesterol in the body, which in turn can increase the risk of stroke and heart disease. These conditions are often life-threatening, so it’s important to get to a healthy weight as soon as possible.

Sleep Apnea

Obesity can also lead to sleep apnea. This is a serious condition that causes you to stop breathing for a few seconds at a time. Sleep apnea not only reduces your quality of sleep, but it can also deprive your brain of oxygen, which can result in life-threatening health problems.

How to Avoid These Conditions

The only way to avoid these and other obesity-related health problems is to lose weight. Of course, that’s easier said than done. If you’re having trouble losing weight with a healthy diet and regular exercise, you can talk to a doctor about other options.

One method of weight loss for some obese people is surgery. There are several types of weight loss surgery you can look into if you need to lose weight quickly. They include a gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, and the Lap-Band, to name the most common options. With these surgeries, the point is to reduce the capacity of the stomach so you do not need to eat much to feel full, which should lead to major weight loss within months.

Of course, the effects of weight loss surgery are meant to be permanent, so talk to a medical professional to make sure you are a good candidate. Once you qualify, you can look forward to enjoying a healthy weight faster than you might imagine.