Ignore the weight-loss fads. Turn to science for long-term results.

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There are countless diets and weight-loss plans — some effective, most less so.

There’s no denying that excess weight undermines good health — and it’s the reason weight loss always ranks among the most popular New Year’s resolutions.

There are countless diets and weight-loss plans — some effective, most less so. And a few months into the year, you may be seeing that for yourself.

For those who need to lose weight and are seeking out methods that work, more people are turning to medical science — and bariatric surgery.

Being significantly overweight increases the risks for developing heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes. Certain types of cancer are also related to obesity, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In fact, the National Institutes of Health ranks obesity and excessive weight together as the second-leading cause of preventable death in the United States and estimates 300,000 deaths a year result from these conditions.

The Bariatric Surgery Institute at McLaren Macomb offers leading-edge treatments for patients looking for a surgical solution to obesity. In many cases bariatric surgery can also improve, or resolve, many chronic conditions, including:

  • Type 2 diabetes
  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Sleep apnea
  • Depression and anxiety
  • Asthma

At the Bariatric Surgery Institute, you can expect a comprehensive assessment that determines the best course of treatment to address your individual needs. It includes:

  • A complete medical evaluation
  • Surgical consultation
  • Psychological and nutritional counseling
  • Complete care before and after the operation
  • A fully monitored and specially equipped unit for inpatient care
  • Support groups

Among the most common types of bariatric surgery in the United States, gastric bypass is performed when diet and exercise are ineffective or serious health problems require significant weight loss. It changes your digestive system to help you lose weight by limiting how much you can eat, reducing the absorption of nutrients or both.

Weight-loss surgery isn't a quick fix. It’s a significant lifestyle change — and McLaren Macomb’s team of bariatric specialists have been trained to assist people who choose bariatric procedures by helping them adopt more active, healthy habits. This comprehensive care increases the chances for long-term weight-loss success.

Determining if McLaren Macomb’s bariatric services are appropriate for you starts with this self-assessment:

  • Are you 100 pounds or more above your ideal body weight and want to lose weight?
  • Do you have a body mass index of 40 or more?
  • Do you have a BMI of 35 or greater with one or more obesity-related health condition(s)?
  • Have other forms of weight control failed?
  • Are you 18 years of age or older?

If so, you may be a candidate for weight-loss surgery. Together, you and your McLaren bariatric surgeon will take steps to determine:

  • If surgery is the right treatment for you
  • Which type of procedure is right for you
  • If you are mentally and emotionally prepared to make lifelong lifestyle changes

McLaren Macomb has several bariatric procedures available to treat obesity, including the most successful at resolving type 2 diabetes because of the metabolic change that occurs as a result of the procedure. Weight-loss surgery can help to decrease the incidence of diabetes. As many as 90 percent of patients have had improved glucose control following bariatric surgery, according to a recent national study.

 


Meet Our Physician

Surgery - Bariatric, Surgery - General Carl Matthew Pesta, D.O.