Weight Loss Surgeon: Is it Time to Make the Call?
Why weight matters
It’s important that we love ourselves as we are. After all, bodies come in all shapes and sizes, and very few of them meet the Hollywood ideal of flawless perfection. Whether we’re tall, short, slender or beefy, we should celebrate who we are.
But, while self-acceptance is an important aspect of our emotional health, our physical health matters, too. If you’re concerned with the negative impact being overweight may have on your overall health, and have tried without success to lose weight on your own, it might be time to consider a consultation with a weight loss surgeon.
Obesity comes with a cost
The health consequences of carrying excess body weight cannot be overstated. According to the Mayo Clinic, obesity increases your risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes. And, the more you weigh, the higher your risk of developing one or more of these serious, life-long conditions. The National Institutes of Health’s US National Library of Medicine reports that obesity is also associated with an increased risk of several types of cancer, including breast cancer, colon cancer, pancreatic cancer, and leukemia. Being overweight also lowers your chances of surviving these cancers once they’re detected.
The good news is, even seemingly small amounts of weight loss can lower, or even prevent, your risk of developing these devastating conditions. So, if you are overweight, it’s time to act. If you haven’t already done so, schedule an appointment with your primary health care provider. He or she can recommend a dietary and exercise program that may help you achieve a more healthy weight.
Is it time to make an appointment with a Long Island bariatric surgeon?
If you’ve already talked with your doctor and have tried exercise and dietary changes without success, it may be time to consider other weight loss treatment options. A qualified weight loss doctor can tell you what your options are and explain the pros and cons of the treatments that are available.
Depending on your personal circumstances and overall health, you may be a good candidate for a range of surgical procedures which can help you lose weight. While no surgical procedure is without risk, your doctor can tell you if the benefits of bariatric surgery outweigh those risks. Procedures such as gastric bypass or gastric banding are considering generally safe and have helped hundreds of thousands of people lose weight and live the healthier life they dreamed of.