A eGuide Weight Loss Surgery ()

Tired of losing weight and trying to improve your health only to end up back where you started? Sick and tired of feeling sick and tired? Maybe it’s time to consider weight loss surgery.

CENTER FOR BARIATRICS & WEIGHT LOSS Sound familiar?

“I’ve tried again and again and I’m frustrated that I can’t seem to achieve lasting success.” “My weight is causing health problems, including high blood pressure and .” “I’m taking more and more prescription medications and I want to get healthier so I can take fewer.” “My primary care doctor suggested I consider weight loss surgery.” “My weight is getting in the way of enjoying time with my family, kids and grandkids.” “My weight and health are holding me back from the things I want to pursue, like work opportunities and traveling.”

These are some of the reasons our patients have shared with us about why they were interested in weight loss surgery. Some of these reasons may hit home or you may have reasons of your own. If so, maybe it’s time to explore weight loss surgery, also called bariatric surgery. Bariatric surgery has been shown to be a safe and effective solution when you need dramatic and lasting results. Our experienced and specialized surgeons can help. You’ll be supported by a compassionate team of experts, who are committed to helping you succeed. We partner with our medical weight loss team to provide guidance and expertise for lasting results. Bariatric surgery is not a quick fix. It takes determination and commitment to change a lifetime of habits. But the good news is that we take this journey together with you. And we know how to do it. Visit our website to get more information and register for an on-demand online or in‑person seminar.

CENTER FOR BARIATRICS & WEIGHT LOSS Q&A

Have a health question? Ask an AMITA Health Center for Bariatrics & Weight Loss Specialist Bariatric Surgery edition

Am I eligible for weight loss surgery? If you want to know what your benefits are for weight loss surgery, please give us a call at 855.941.1666 or If you answer yes to each question, then YES, you contact your insurance company. You can use this helpful are eligible. form on our website to guide you when contacting your √ 18 or older? insurance company.

√  (BMI) of 30 or greater? • If your BMI is 30-39.9, you will need a health condition related to your weight in order to qualify, such as Is bariatric surgery safe? diabetes or high cholesterol. While all surgical procedures involve some risk, bariatric • To check your BMI, use our BMI calculator. surgery is now one of the safest surgical procedures √ Tried to lose weight only to regain it or gain even more? you can have. In fact, national data indicates weight loss surgery is safer than gallbladder removal or knee √ Committed to finally losing weight so you can enjoy a replacement. To learn more about risks and benefits, healthier lifestyle? check out our on-demand, online seminars.

I have been heavy all my life and it’s just getting worse as I get older. I’m really interested in weight loss surgery but it I feel like I’ve been dieting my whole life. I’m successful for sounds like a major step. How can I be sure that I’m ready a while at losing weight, but then it starts creeping back to make this commitment? and I’m right back to where I started.

We’ll give you the resources and support you need in Will bariatric surgery put me on a better path? order to help you decide whether you’re ready or not. We’ll help you get where you need to be. Weight loss We’ve been helping people lose weight successfully for a surgery will give you a big jumpstart towards lasting long time. Our program supports you in a holistic manner, results, but it is only a tool. The surgery will help you with surgeons, nurses, dietitians, and psychologist/ achieve your goals as long as you continue to follow the counselors on your team. program and make the recommended lifestyle changes.

Losing and maintaining weight loss is much easier Is weight loss surgery covered by my insurance? without constant nagging , and you’ll feel satisfied on a smaller amount of food. We will help you Many insurance plans cover weight loss surgery, change habits and give you personalized support for including Medicare. We’ll make sure you know what’s long-term success. covered. We also offer self-pay packages in case the procedure you want is not covered by your insurance.

CENTER FOR BARIATRICS & WEIGHT LOSS Q&A

Are there different kinds of weight loss Gastric Band (LAP-BAND®) procedures? The surgeon places an adjustable gastric band at the There are several different procedures to choose top of your stomach and connects it to a port that is from at AMITA Health Center for Bariatrics & Weight easily accessed by your surgeon. The small pouch Loss. All of the procedures help you feel full faster. above the band will help you reduce portion sizes Most of them reduce the size of the stomach and without additional hunger. Over time, the surgeon will some procedures also involve the small intestine, so use this port to adjust the band and customize your that the amount you eat and the amount you absorb weight loss. If needed, the band can be removed, but are reduced. this is not anticipated. You and your doctor will decide which procedure is right for you, based on your BMI, medical conditions, Intragastric Balloon (Orbera®) weight loss goals and other factors. Intragastric balloons offer a non-surgical, minimally invasive choice for weight loss. A saline-filled balloon Sleeve Gastrectomy is placed in your stomach, where it occupies space helping you eat less at each meal and feel fuller Gastric sleeve is the most common weight loss longer. The balloon is removed six months after it surgery performed in the U.S. The surgeon removes is placed. 70 to 80 percent of your stomach. This leaves you with a smaller stomach shaped like a banana or “sleeve.” By removing a portion of the stomach, the Revisional Bariatric Surgery cells that secrete ghrelin, the “hunger hormone”, are also removed, which further suppresses appetite Our surgeons have performed hundreds of revisional and hunger. surgeries for patients who either did not lose enough weight after their original bariatric procedure or who need a repair made to that procedure. Gastric Bypass The surgeon creates a small pouch from the upper part of your stomach and then connects it to your small intestine. It works by limiting the amount of food you can eat at a meal and by changing the way it is metabolized and absorbed.

Duodenal Switch (DS) This procedure is the most invasive bariatric procedure and is reserved for those who have a BMI of 60 or more. Similar to a sleeve gastrectomy, a portion of the stomach is removed, and a significant portion of the small bowel is bypassed. This results in greater malabsorption of calories and nutrients than gastric bypass.

CENTER FOR BARIATRICS & WEIGHT LOSS FYI

It’s time to start feeling some positive momentum. your overall recovery. Be sure to check with your Whether you are gathering information, wondering doctor before starting any new physical activity. if weight loss surgery is a good fit for you, or you’re 4. After surgery, successful patients limit refined ready to hit the ground running, simply reach out to carbohydrates like bread, pasta, potatoes, sweets our team. We love what we do and how people’s lives and rice. Instead, meals consist of protein and are transformed. We look forward to speaking with vegetables. You can try out new ways to prepare you about your goals. vegetables, eat out less and stop consuming all beverages that have calories, such as soda, juice 5 things you can do to learn more about and coffee drinks. weight loss surgery: 5. Find your “why.” Everybody has their reason for wanting to lose weight. Even after surgery, your 1. Check out our extensive website and look at the motivation may wane or there may be some bumps testimonials — they’re truly inspirational. in the road. Focusing on your “why” will help you 2. Watch an online seminar to learn more about the make it through these times and keep you on the processes and the procedures. road to long-term success. 3. Make an appointment for a no-obligation consultation. 5 things we want you to know: 4. Call your insurance provider to check on your weight loss surgery benefits. Or call 855.941.1666 1. We’re hopeful and you should be, too. There are and our team will be happy to do this for you. many options we can try to help you successfully 5. Learn more about the risks and benefits of weight lose the weight you need to lose. loss surgery by visiting the website of the American 2. We’re in it for the long haul. We’ve got a plan, a Society for Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery. strategy and a team to support you throughout your life. 5 ways you can start preparing for weight 3. We embrace “try, try again.” Most things in life loss surgery: take multiple tries to get right. Lasting weight loss is certainly one of them. 1. Our goal is to help you prepare your body and mind to make recovery easier and boost 4. We’re seriously interested in helping you live a post‑operative weight loss. You can do this by healthier life. Medical care in general is driven by following general lifestyle recommendations, weight. People who are experience including eating a balanced and being more health issues — from their cardiovascular physically active. system to their joints. Weight loss surgery offers 2. If you have diabetes, start to pay close attention an option to halt or reverse some major medical to your blood sugar. If your sugar or Hemoglobin conditions, including diabetes. A1c is too high, surgery may be postponed and 5. We consider it a true calling to help you lose you may be at greater risk for a post-operative weight and keep it off. We get to really know our infection. patients, listen carefully, and respect their input and 3. Start to engage in light physical activity. The more their feelings. We believe in the ability of each of you are able to move before surgery, the easier it our patients to achieve success. will be to move after, helping your lungs as well as

CENTER FOR BARIATRICS & WEIGHT LOSS PS

At AMITA Health Center for Bariatrics & Weight Loss, we are committed to helping you achieve your weight loss goals. Our experienced and compassionate specialists offer innovative services and treatment options to meet your individual needs. Contact us for a no-cost seminar to learn more — an online option is also available — or schedule an appointment for a no-obligation consultation. Call us today at 855.941.1666. You’ll be glad that you did.

Want to learn more about bariatric surgery? Start here: AMITA Health Center for Bariatrics & Weight Loss American Society for Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery

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