Bariatric Surgery
Obesity is the second leading cause of unnecessary deaths. It is a disease that affects more than one-third of the adult American population (approximately 60 million), with an estimated 5 to 10 million considered morbidly obese. Morbid obesity is defined as being 100 lbs or more over the ideal body weight or having a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or greater. According to the American Society for Bariatric Surgery, morbid obesity is a serious disease and must be treated as such.
Obesity results from the excessive accumulation of fat that exceeds the body's skeletal and physical standards. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), an increase in 20 percent or more above your "ideal body weight" is the point at which excess weight becomes a health risk.
Body Mass Index (BMI)
A common determinate of morbid obesity is a body mass index (BMI) above 40 or a BMI of 35+ with one or more severe comorbid conditions such as hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, severe joint pain or arthritis.
BMI is a ratio calculated by dividing the weight in kilograms by the height in meters squared (BMI = kg/height in m2). For example, a 5'7" individual (1.7 meters) weighing 260 pounds (117.93 kg) would have a BMI of 40.81. To use pounds and inches, divide weight in pounds by height in inches squared and multiply by 704.
• BMI 20-25 - ideal
• 25-30 - overweight
• 30-35 - obese
• 35-40 - morbid obesity
• 40-50 - severe obesity
• 50-60 - super-obesity
• >60 - super-super obesity
Obesity-related Health Conditions
People suffering from obesity are at risk for developing one or more serious medical conditions which can cause poor health and premature death:
• Arthritis
• Cancer
• Depression
• Diabetes
• Gastroesophageal reflux/Heartburn
• High blood pressure/Heart disease
• Infertility
• Loss of bowel/urinary control
• Menstrual irregularities
• Pulmonary embolus
• Skin disorders
• Sleep apnea/Respiratory problems
• Swollen legs
Candidates for Bariatric Surgery
People who have attempted weight loss with exercise, and commercially and medically approved diet plans, but have not achieved lasting weight loss may be candidates for bariatric surgery.
Bariatric surgery offers loss of excess weight by modifying the stomach and/or intestines to reduce the amount of food that can be eaten. It reduces life-threatening conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. Important factors contributing to the success of keeping weight off after surgery include motivation and committment to making and adhering to lifestyle changes.
Surgery
Patients interested in bariatric surgery must attend a 2 hour
informational seminar prior to a visit with one of our surgeons.
The seminar is offered once a month, and is moderated by surgeons
of the USC Bariatric Surgery Program. It explains surgical options,
the multidisciplinary approach to bariatric surgery, and includes
a question and answer session. Registration is available by calling
1-888-700-5700.
Scheduled seminars for 2006 are as follows:
• January 21
• February 25
• March 25
• April 22
• May 20
• June 24
• July 29
• August 26
• September 30
• October 28
• November 18
• December 16
Patients can make an appointment for a consultation with Dr. Howard Kaufman by calling (323) 442-6860. Dr. Kaufman performs both laparoscopic and open gastric bypass surgeries.
Following the consultation, if the patient desires to proceed with surgery, authorization for surgery will be requested from insurance providers.
Once the authorization is approved, tests such as pulmonary function test, stress test, radiology test, and blood work will be scheduled. A psychiatric evaluation is also necessary. The psychiatric assessment is used to identify patients at higher risk for postoperative psychological problems that may arise due to such a life altering surgery. Following surgery, office visits with your surgeon or nurse are scheduled as follows:
• 3 weeks post op
• 6 weeks post op
• 3 months post op
• 6 months post op
• 9 months post op
•12 months post op
•18 months post op
•24 months post op
During post operative appointments, patients must also meet with the Dietician in order to evaluate the post operative eating habits.
USC Bariatric Support Group Meetings
Support group meetings offer preoperative and postoperative patients a friendly environment in which to share their experiences. Maria Harrison moderates the Support Group, and schedules invited guest speakers.
Support meetings are held every third Tuesday of each month at 6:00 PM in:
USC University Hospital - Cardinal Room
1500 San Pablo Street
Los Angeles, CA 90033
(323) 442-8500
Scheduled meetings for 2006 are as follows:
• January 17
• February 21
• March 21
• April 18
• May 16
• June 20
• July 18
• August 15
• September 19
• October 17
• November 21
• December 19
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