Baltimore
Bariatrics & Medspa 
Background
Perspective
Here
to Help with Your Medical Weight Loss
&
Medspa Needs
An important conclusion of the 1991 National Institutes Consensus Development Conference Statement on the surgical treatment of obesity was that "patients judged by experienced clinicians to have a low probability of success with non-surgical measures, as demonstrated, for example, by failure in established weight control programs or reluctance by the patient to enter such a program, may be considered for surgical treatment."(1)
Surgical
treatment is medically
necessary because it is the only proven method
of achieving long term weight control for the morbidly obese. Surgical
treatment is not a cosmetic procedure. Surgical treatment of morbid
obesity does not involve the removal of adipose tissue (fat) by suction
or excision. Bariatric surgery involves reducing the size of the
gastric reservoir, with or without a degree of associated
malabsorption. Eating behavior improves dramatically.
This reduces caloric intake and ensures that the patient eats small amounts slowly, and chews each mouthful well. Success of surgical treatment must begin with realistic goals and progress through the best possible use of well designed and tested operations. These have been worked out over the last thirty years, and are now standardized, clearly defined procedures, with well recognized and documented outcome results.
Patients whose BMI exceeds 40, or 35 and have an obesity related disease process, are potential candidates for surgery if they strongly desire substantial weight loss, because obesity morbidly impairs the quality of their lives. They must clearly and realistically understand how their lives may change after operation.
Studies
conducted after surgical treatment and weight loss have shown 1) that
self esteem and positive emotions increase; 2) that body image
disparagement decreases; 3) that marital satisfaction increases, but
only if a measure of satisfaction existed before surgery; and 4) that
eating behavior is improved dramatically.
The results of surgical treatment are superior to those of dietary treatment alone.
1.
Gastrointestinal surgery for morbid obesity: National Institutes of
Health Consensus Development Conference Statement.
