Obesity is a chronic disorder with serious health complications, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and obstructive sleep apnea. Because obesity affects multiple organ systems, it requires specialized treatment approaches. Weight loss surgery has revolutionized the medical landscape, giving millions of Americans a new lease on life. For individuals in South Carolina struggling with obesity and seeking effective weight loss solutions, bariatric surgery offers a range of options. This article explores the various weight loss surgery procedures available, eligibility criteria, and the comprehensive care offered by accredited centers in South Carolina.
How Bariatric Surgery Works
All bariatric procedures shrink your stomach, so you feel full after eating less food. As you begin to eat less, you lose weight. Bariatric surgery procedures work by physically altering the digestive system to limit the amount of food the stomach can hold, reduce nutrient absorption, or both. These alterations lead to decreased calorie intake and subsequent weight loss.
Determining Candidacy for Weight-Loss Surgery
The first step on your journey to bariatric surgery is to determine if bariatric surgery is right for you. If it is, then there are steps that you need to complete on your journey. If bariatric surgery is not right for you, but you still are determined to lose weight, you can explore some of non-surgical weight loss options.
Bariatric surgery may be an option for those who are who are 50 or more pounds overweight and have unsuccessfully tried to lose weight through diet and exercise.
Ask a bariatric team to help you take the first step: deciding whether weight-loss surgery is right for you, as you consider options like bariatric procedures, weight management medications, and other options.
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Advanced Surgical Options Available
Expect personalized guidance to choose the right bariatric procedure for your needs and preferences. No matter what type of surgery you select, your surgeon will perform the procedure in the least invasive way possible. This approach helps keep you safe, reduce scarring and make your recovery quicker and easier. Studies demonstrate that weight loss surgery yields a long period of sustained weight loss in patients who have failed other therapies.
Several bariatric surgery options are available in South Carolina, each with its own advantages and considerations:
- Gastric Bypass Surgery: A well-established weight loss surgery that reroutes the digestive system to limit food intake and absorption.
- Gastric Band Surgery: A minimally invasive surgical procedure that uses an adjustable band to reduce stomach capacity.
- Duodenal Switch Weight Loss Surgery: A highly effective procedure combining sleeve gastrectomy with intestinal bypass to maximize weight loss.
- SADI (Single Anastomosis Duodenal-Ileal Bypass with Sleeve Gastrectomy): The Single Anastomosis Duodenal-Ileal Bypass with Sleeve Gastrectomy, referred to as the SADI-S, is the most recent procedure endorsed by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.
Comprehensive Bariatric Programs in South Carolina
Several medical centers in South Carolina offer comprehensive bariatric programs, providing patients with the support and resources needed for successful weight loss and long-term health improvement. These programs typically include:
- Pre-Surgical Evaluation and Education: A thorough assessment of the patient's health status, medical history, and psychological readiness for surgery. Patients receive detailed information about the different surgical options, potential risks and benefits, and the lifestyle changes required after surgery.
- Surgical Procedure: Performed by experienced bariatric surgeons using advanced techniques, including minimally invasive approaches.
- Post-Operative Care and Support: Ongoing medical monitoring, nutritional counseling, and psychological support to help patients adjust to their new eating habits and lifestyle. Support groups provide a valuable forum for patients to share their experiences and connect with others undergoing similar journeys.
Accredited Bariatric Centers in South Carolina
Accreditation signifies that a bariatric center meets rigorous standards for patient safety and quality of care. In South Carolina, several centers hold accreditations from reputable organizations, such as the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP).
- AnMed Medical Center in Anderson is accredited as a comprehensive bariatric center by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program. Additionally, it's recognized by the American College of Surgeons as a Surgical Quality Partner.
- Bon Secours St. Francis Weight Management is a MBSAQIP Center of Excellence providing comprehensive care for patients seeking bariatric surgery.
- MBSAQIP works to advance safe, high-quality care for bariatric surgical patients through the accreditation of bariatric surgical centers.
The Importance of a Multidisciplinary Approach
MUSC believes in the team approach to your weight loss and maintenance journey. Our strong interdisciplinary team evaluates the patient before surgery and provides education and treatment after surgery. This team delivers surgical, medical, nutritional, and psychological care and considers lifestyle changes following surgery.
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A multidisciplinary team typically includes surgeons, physicians, dietitians, psychologists, and other healthcare professionals who work together to provide comprehensive care.
After an interdisciplinary team evaluation, we revise previous bariatric procedures for complications or conversions to another procedure. For families struggling to know if weight loss surgery is the right choice for your teen, we are here to help. Our team understands the struggle with excess weight and the associated health conditions like diabetes and sleep problems, and the psychological and social effects that might prevent you from enjoying your life to the fullest.
Navigating the Surgical Journey: Guidance Every Step of the Way
Learn everything you need to know before, during and after surgery. Our patient navigator will guide you and a loved one throughout comprehensive preparation process and long-term follow-up care.
Least Invasive Approach
You’ll recover sooner, experience less scarring and have a lower risk of unexpected problems or complications because surgeons make the smallest possible incisions. Often, they use a surgical robot whose hands can bend and rotate further and move more precisely than human hands.
Benefits of Weight Loss Surgery
Losing weight goes a long way toward improving your overall health. Whether you’re interested in weight loss surgery or you need nutritional tips for a healthier life, we’ve the facts you need. Explore these articles to learn more. Weight loss surgery requires several preparatory steps before the procedure can take place. But which steps are safe, and which ones will give you the best results? We’ve clarified the process of exercising before weight loss surgery and other topics in our useful blogs. Once you’ve had weight loss surgery, the journey is far from over. Your success depends upon following your doctor’s post surgical instructions. We’ve condensed some of this imprortant information for you to explore.
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Weight loss surgery offers numerous potential benefits beyond just shedding pounds. These include:
- Significant and sustained weight loss
- Improvement or resolution of obesity-related health conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea
- Increased energy levels and physical mobility
- Improved mood and self-esteem
- Enhanced quality of life