Patient Safety and Weight Loss Surgery
Patient Education Checklist - Weight and Health Problems
Below is a checklist regarding weight-related issues and how they impact the overall health of the population. If youÕre fighting a severe weight problem, the best step you can take is to contact a cosmetic surgeon as soon as possible for a consultation.
Weight Loss
Weight loss is an ongoing struggle for millions of people, and strategies that are geared towards weight loss include diets, exercise programs and medical options such as surgery.
Obesity in Youth
Obesity in youth is a growing problem in the United States. According to the American Obesity Association, children between the ages of six and 19 are overweight at a rate of more than 30% and are obese at a rate of more than 15%.
Morbid Obesity
Morbid obesity is a term that sounds diabolical, as it should. Morbid obesity is defined as anyone with a BMI over 40, and according to several sources, between five and 10 million Americans today are morbidly obese.
Obesity in the U.S.
Obesity in the U.S. is a growing problem, and it could reach epidemic proportions soon. Today, more than 60 million Americans are obese and between five and 10 million are morbidly obese. This represents a growth of obesity in the U.S. of more than 40% in the past 15 years.
Obesity in Minority Populations
Obesity in minority populations is also a growing problem. Unfortunately, obesity in minority populations appears to affect African-Americans and Mexican-Americans more than other minority populations. In fact, African-Americans are suffering from the fastest growth of obesity in the United States as compared to any other population.
Health Effects of Obesity
The health effects of obesity are severe. Obesity increases the chances of heart disease and attacks, diabetes, sleep apnea and other serious problems that can cause not only lifestyle problems, but can and does kill millions of people every year.
Obesity Treatment
Obesity treatment is becoming more advanced and specialized, as it should, because the age-old Ņcrash dietÓ not only doesnÕt work, but can cause other problems. Obesity treatment today includes counseling, dietary strategies and even bariatric surgery if needed.
Obesity Research & Trends
Given the prevalence of this growing health problem, obesity research & trends are expanding beyond the classic ŅreactiveÓ approach and moving into a preventative approach so that people never get to the point where obesity takes over their lives.
Obesity and Health Insurance Š Pre-Certification
Obesity and health insurance - pre-certification issues are also growing in prevalence. More insurance companies are beginning to cover obesity surgery, and youÕll need to work with your carrier closely and with the facts provided by your doctor in order to get this question answered prior to your procedure.
Understanding the Gastrointestinal Tract
Understanding the gastrointestinal tract is important for those who have a weight-related health problem. Understanding the gastrointestinal tract and how it works with and affects the rest of the body will help people realize that everything they put in their bodies affects every part of their body and their long-term health prospects.
Long-term Lifestyle
Your long-term lifestyle will need to change if youÕre to overcome obesity. Generally speaking, obesity is a lifestyle-related problem, which means that youÕll need to change your approach to eating, drinking and exercise if youÕre going to defeat this powerful foe.
Nutrition Education
In furtherance of ongoing efforts to prevent obesity, there are many options available for nutrition education. These nutrition education programs are available through local schools, clinics and hospitals, and nutrition education can and will help you understand how obesity develops and how to prevent it.
Plastic Surgery & Bariatric Surgery
Plastic surgery & bariatric surgery are enormous aids in overcoming obesity, but plastic surgery & bariatric surgery are not a solution standing alone. These procedures provide help with obese patients, but the patient needs to follow up on the after-care aspects of these procedures to make sure that these surgeries are successful.
Patient Safety - Bariatric Surgery
The highest priority in any medical procedure is always patient safety. Given this reality, every potential bariatric procedure analysis begins with this idea and works backwards from there. Specifically, there are several steps in place to ensure patient safety, and below are the steps surgeons will take to ensure that their patients will succeed both in terms of the desired results and their long-term health and viability.
Pre-Op Examination
Pre-op examinations are critical in regards to the final decision of whether a surgery or procedure is advisable for a particular patient. These examinations include analysis of the patientÕs entire medical history as well as a full examination to determine if there are any underlying physical conditions that would place a patient at risk as a result of any surgery or procedure. If significant risk factors exist, the surgery will not be performed and alternative strategies will be considered.
Psychological State
Many times, a patientÕs obesity can be related to underlying psychological issues, such as long-term depression or a compulsive eating disorder, among other unfortunate maladies. If any of these psychological conditions are discovered, the best way to proceed is to treat this problem before proceeding to surgery, as the long-term prospects for a successful surgery decrease significantly if the foundational eating habits are not brought under control.
Commitment to the After-Care Program
If a patient undergoes a surgery that restricts or reduces the size of the stomach, he or she needs to make sure that the after-care program is followed closely. Typical after-care programs involve strict eating requirements and the integration of regular and controlled exercise into the daily routine. Any patient who undergoes this type of surgery and continues to overeat will simply increase the chances of serious medical problems arising, as restricted stomach pouches simply can not handle a large volume of food.
Overall Considerations
Aside from the three factors listed above, medical professionals will consider almost any factor that could relate, either directly or indirectly, to patient safety. These considerations include but are not limited to the patientÕs peer groups, the patientÕs occupation and the patientÕs family history of health issues.
Specifically, patient safety could be affected, and success possibilities limited, if the patientÕs peer groups tend to get together for barbecues or desert clubs, if the patientÕs workplace is near unhealthy foods and whether or not the patient has a family history of heart problems.
Overall, anything and everything will be considered when working around the top priority of patient safety. When you meet with a cosmetic surgeon, you need to explain any and all factors that could figure into a final decision. Even if youÕre not sure if something is relevant, itÕs best to be over-communicative than the alternative. Regardless, itÕs time to get the process of bringing your obesity under control - contact a cosmetic surgeon today.