The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Institutes of Health (NIH) , and other healthcare organizations now recognize obesity as a chronic disease—a health issue that must be monitored and controlled for life. Being overweight or obese can cause a variety of health problems, even death, if it is not controlled. The good news is that many of the health issues related to being overweight can be mitigated or cured through weight loss.
What is overweight and obesity?
Whether a person is overweight or obese is determined by calculating body mass index (BMI). BMI is not a direct measurement of body fat, but rather indicates the relationship between a person’s height and weight and generally correlates with the amount of body fat a person has. The more body fat a person has, the more likely he or she is to develop other serious health problems such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, respiratory problems, gynecological problems including infertility, osteoarthritis.
For adults, overweight is defined as having a BMI of 25 or higher, while obesity is having a BMI of 30 or higher. Use the BMI Calculator to estimate your body mass index.
Am I a good candidate for bariatric surgery?
If you are overweight or obese and have previously tried to lose and keep off excess weight through conventional methods - healthy diet, exercise, medicine - but have been unable to stay at a healthy weight, then bariatric surgery may be the right choice for you.
Good candidates for weight loss surgery typically:
Are 18 years or older
Have a BMI of 40 or higher
Have a BMI greater than 35 as well as related health conditions, such as:
Hypertension
Diabetes
Sleep Apnea
Orthopedic problems
Gynecological or fertility problems
Have difficulty reaching or staying a healthy weight through traditional weightloss methods
Are ready to make a life-long commitment to a healthy lifestyle or eating right and exercising
Are not pregnant or have a disease that prevents surgery from being an option
What is bariatric surgery?
The Wadley Bariatric Team provides patients with the LAP-BAND® Adjustable Gastric Banding System. This system is designed to help overweight and obese individuals achieve long-term weight loss by reducing stomach size - limiting the amount of food that can be eaten at one time.
If you are ready to make an important and positive change in your life, weight loss surgery may be another tool to help you make that change. Join us for a FREE educational seminar.
Why choose Wadley?
Wadley’s specially trained, caring LAP-BAND team has years of experience in bariatric surgery and has earned special recognition for excellence in providing this service. They are here to support you and to answer any questions or concerns you may have as you consider the LAP-BAND procedure.
The American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) named Wadley a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence (BSCOE) in 2007. To earn this special designation, Wadley and the surgeons who provide bariatric surgery must:
Meet strict criteria established by bariatric surgery experts
Have demonstrated surgical experience.
Agree to participate in quality improvement initiatives.
Offer a comprehensive program from pre-surgery through long-term post-surgery follow-up.
Include a multi-disciplinary team of nurses, nutritionists, psychologists, office staff, and others devoted to providing safe and effective care of the morbidly obese.
Wadley’s bariatric team has provided the LAP-BAND surgical procedure to over 980 patients since 2004. As demonstrated by our ASMBS BSCOE designation, Wadley provides high-quality, expert commitment to the well-being of patients seeking weight-loss surgery.
The American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) named Wadley a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence (BSCOE) in 2007. To earn this special designation, Wadley and the surgeons who provide bariatric surgery must: