Q: I have tried many diets, but can’t seem to keep the weight off for good. Could weight-loss surgery be an option for me?
A: You’re not alone in your struggle with excess weight and the feelings of isolation and frustration that come from being unable to do everyday activities with ease. The number of people in the United States who suffer from obesity is over 40% of the population. But there are safe and effective options to help you lose weight and get on the path to a healthier lifestyle.
People who are overweight often face a social stigma that they’re lazy or don’t exercise or eat excessively – and that’s not the case. Genetics, age, metabolism, working all day at a computer and the fast-food culture have all played a role in the increasing number of people losing their battle with weight. More people than ever before qualify for weight-loss procedures.
Minimally invasive surgical and nonsurgical options that are safe and have proven results can help you lose weight and keep it off for good. These procedures can improve and sometimes reverse medical conditions – including sleep apnea, acid reflux, diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol, and even bone and joint pain – that can affect quality of life and shorten a person’s life when left untreated.
Jaime Ponce, M.D., is a bariatric surgeon at CHI Memorial Metabolic and Bariatric Care and a member of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society.