Weight Loss Programs

Therapeutic weight loss, in individuals who are overweight, can decrease the likelihood of developing diseases such as diabetes. Overweight and obese individuals face a greater risk of health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, osteoarthritis, and certain types of cancer. For healthy weight loss, a physician should be consulted to develop a weight loss plan that is tailored to the individual.

Achieving long-term weight loss is a complex process of medical, nutritional, psychological, and lifestyle change. These changes require the development of new skills to help one replace less desirable habits with healthier ones. Fundamental behavior and dietary change, not just short-term food sacrifice, is required for lasting weight loss success.   

Bariatric Surgery
For some people, gastric restrictive surgery may offer the best long-term solution. Gastric bypass surgery is an operation that is done to help treat obesity. Its goal is to help you lose weight by limiting the stomach's ability to store large amounts of food.

An alternative procedure that is enjoying a lot of success is called the Adjustable Gastric Band using the LAP-BAND® System. Or partners were the first in New England to try using this new device. The LAP-BAND® System is a silicone strip that looks and feels something like a collar and creates a bottleneck near the top of the stomach, making it harder for a patient to overeat. It is adjustable and it is reversible.

In fact, an article released on January 23, 2008 suggests that surgically induced loss of weight (gastric bypass) may be effective therapy for diabetes. For more information on this study read the article published in the New York Times.

Generally, to qualify for surgery patients must weigh 45 Kilos/100 pounds more than their ideal body weight, or have a Body Mass Index greater than 40. However, patients who weigh less than this may be considered if they suffer from other illnesses that are related to their weight such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or sleep apnea.

Virtually all bariatric surgeries can now be done laparoscopically, also known as Minimally Invasive. WorldPath is proud to partner with many of the most qualified physicians available for bariatric surgical procedures – physicians who are recognized as among the best in their profession. Because of the considerable skill of these surgeons, the procedure is routinely performed in about half the time required by most other hospitals. This leads to faster recovery and greater patient comfort

Body Lift
The body lift, also known as a belt lipectomy or lower body lift, improves the appearance of the abdomen, thighs, and buttocks. The operation is performed typically to remove excess skin and fat following massive weight loss. It can also be performed to fight the effects of aging and childbearing, including excess skin, cellulite, and sagging fatty tissue. Some patients also select body lift surgeries to improve the results of gastric bypass or liposuction.

Liposuction
This cosmetic surgery operation is used to remove fat from many different sites on the human body. Areas affected can range from the abdomen, thighs, buttocks, to the neck, backs of the arms and elsewhere. While effective in many cases, Liposuction is not a treatment for obesity or a substitute for proper diet and exercise. It is, however, effective for sliming and reshaping specific areas of the body by removing excess fat deposits, improving your body contours and proportion, and ultimately, enhancing your self-image.

Only a qualified professional can determine which of these options may be right for you, to find out more about the options available and how to begin, contact a WorldPath Patient Services Coordinator today and begin the process to better health.