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Morbid obesity, or clinically severe obesity, is generally considered to be 100 pounds or 100% over a person's ideal body weight (IBW). A body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more is also considered morbidly obese.

Weight loss surgery is an effective and serious solution to the problem of morbid obesity. Decisions such as whether to undergo surgery, which type of surgery to choose, which surgeon to perform the procedure, and where to have your operation are all very personal choices that should be made in consultation with a trusted physician familiar with your medical history.

In general weight loss surgery can be a good option for morbidly obese people who have tried other weight loss methods with little to no success. This site provides information on obesity, weight loss surgery, and expected outcomes. To learn even more and ask questions about your particular situation, we invite you to attend a free information session.

Open gastric bypass procedure involves an incision made down the middle of the stomach. The abdominal walls are pulled back by surgical retractors so the surgeon can fully visualize the abdominal cavity. This is the traditional method of performing gastric bypass surgeries. The benefits of the open technique are the surgeon's ability to see the abdominal cavity easier, and the number of post-operative leaks decreases.

The laparoscopy procedure is a less-invasive technique that requires the surgeon to make 5-6 small incisions in the abdomen. The surgeon is then able to pass slender surgical instruments through each small incision. One of the instruments inserted is a laparoscopic camera. The surgeon is able to watch the surgery via the camera and video monitor to assure the successful and safe outcome of the bypass surgery. The laparoscopy technique is becoming popular in bariatric and other surgeries. The benefits of the lap technique are smaller incisions, shorter hospital stay and shorter recovery time.

There is no magic formula for post-surgery weight loss. An individual's diet, exercise, attitude and other factors can greatly affect the speed and amount of weight loss. Most patients lose 50% or more of their excess body weight. With diligent effort, results as high as 75% excess body weight loss are quite possible.

Any surgery involves risk, and the likelihood of a particular outcome depends greatly on the individual patient and many complicated factors. It is possible to identify potential side effects and give a rough likelihood of their occurrence. You should always discuss specific concerns and request detailed information from your surgeon or another medical professional familiar with your case. Also, many patients find it worthwhile to compare the risks of surgery not only to its potential benefits, but also to the significant health risks of morbid obesity.

Your specific diet will be determined by your surgeon and consulting physician. Different procedures can lead to various restrictions and recommendations. In most cases, you can expect to eat a lot less than you do today. You may find it most comfortable and effective to eat simple proteins and vegetables, which are likely to be more tolerable than junk food and desserts. Some surgeries make it difficult to eat a lot of fat, fried foods and refined sugars, as your altered digestive system can produce nausea, abdominal discomfort, and other side effects when confronted with rich or excessive food.

For specific details, contact Kettering Weight Loss Solutions and talk with our dietitians. (937) 433-5957.

Not everyone has loose or excess skin after surgery. Factors that can influence the amount of skin, if any, are smoking, age, skin integrity and amount of weight loss. If there is too much excess skin, it may require surgery to remove. Insurance coverage varies.

This surgery is not at all like liposuction. In liposuction, fat is suctioned from your body. In bariatric surgery, the size of your stomach is reduced. Depending on the type of procedure performed, bariatric surgery may also reduce the amount of intestine your body uses to absorb calories.

Once you have reached the 18 month mark and are back on a regular diet regimen for gastric bypass patients, you should be able to have a normal, healthy pregnancy and deliver a healthy baby.

Please refer to our financial info (add link) tab for information on cost and insurance.

Please refer to our financial info (add link) tab for information on cost and insurance.

In April, 2002, the Internal Revenue Service issued a new regulation that acknowledged obesity as a disease itself. By doing so, the IRS agreed to treat costs for obesity treatment including weight loss surgery - assuming a medical diagnosis of obesity - as any other medical expense. All obesity medical treatment expenses beyond the existing minimum 7.5% of gross income are now deductible.

Please refer to our financial info (add link) tab for information on cost and insurance.