Many today are turning to surgery as a more successful alternative for
long-term weight loss. Surgery is not ideal for everyone, but when
performed in the right situation can dramatically improve your life. We
are here to help you make the best choices for you as an individual.
In order
to qualify for weight loss surgery, patients must first meet
certain minimum weight criteria. The degree to which you might be
overweight is often expressed by determining your body mass index (BMI).
Your BMI is calculated by taking a ratio of your height to your weight. In general, patients may
consider surgery if their BMI is greater than 40 or greater than 35 if
you have certain life altering illnesses related to your weight. Click
here to calculate your BMI and read more on the subject.
Having a BMI greater than 40 is called morbid obesity. This means that
your weight is likely to cause (or may have already caused) significant
health related problems such as
high blood pressure, heart disease,
stroke, diabetes, sleep apnea and increased cancer risk. On average
this degree of being overweight can significantly shorten your expected
life span and complicate any future medical conditions you acquire. We
at CSA would like to help you achieve your goal of weight loss. With
successful weight loss, our patients feel dramatically better about
themselves and frequently are able to reduce or eliminate many of the
medications they take to combat their current weight-related medical
conditions.
Our information
sessions can help you understand how to take back control in
your life.
Surgery is offered to prevent, improve, or even resolve these
weight-related illnesses. Weight loss surgery is therefore considered
medically necessary (not cosmetic) and is usually covered by insurance
plans. You should check with your individual plan to see if you have
such benefits.
Your present weight is only partly guided by the food that you eat.
Other major factors important in determining your weight include
genetic, personal, and environmental factors. Often, the only factors
under your direct control include your food intake and the amount of
exercise you get.
Your behavior toward food is a very important aspect in determining the
amounts and type of food you eat, and a full behavioral evaluation is a
necessary component of this program and your ultimate success. The most
successful and sustained weight loss efforts will happen for those who
not only have the surgery, but change many aspects of their behavior.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS