United Hosptial Newsletter Article
Reprinted from:
Healthy Communities United Hospital (Newsletter)
Vol 12, Nov 3 -- Fall 2004
Weight Loss Via Surgery
Ryan Severson is half the man he used to be, and he couldn't be happier about it. Two years ago, Severson weighed 430 pounds. Today, he maintains a weight of 205 to 210 pounds, which is a healthy weight for a man who is 6 feet, 3 inches tall. Severson lost his weight through bariatric surgery. In bariatric surgery, the stomach is reduced so that it can only hold a few ounces of food at one time. The patient feels full with a small amount of food.
A Weighty Issue
"Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the United States," says William R. Rupp, MD, a surgeon with St. Paul Surgeons, Ltd., and medical director of United Hospital's Bariatric Program. "About 64 percent of Americans are overweight, and nearly one-third of them, or about 59 million, are considered morbidly obese."
Obesity, defined as an abnormal amount of body fat is associated with an increased risk of: heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, cancer, back and joint pain, arthritis, sleep apnea, emotional problems, such as low self-esteem and depression, premature death. There is evidence, however, that weight loss in obese individuals can improve health.
Surgical Weight Loss
"Research has shown that bariatric surgery is currently the most effective long-term method for controlling severe obesity," says Rupp.
The two most common procedures are vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG) and Roux-enY (RNY) gastric bypass.
Vertical Banded Gastroplasy--
In this procedure, four rows of staples, about 5 inches in length, are placed where the esophagus joins the stomach to create a small vertical pouch. A plastic ring is then placed near the end of the staple line to create a small opening. This opening allows food to pass normally, but slowly, from the small, upper pouch to the lower portion of the stomach and then to the intestines.
Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass--
During this procedure, four rows of staples are used to partition a small pouch in the upper portion of the stomach. A section of the intestine is divided. One end of the divided intestine is attached to the pouch, creating an opening. The other portion of the intestine is connected to the stomach farther down, creating the "Y" shape mentioned in the procedure's name. This procedure restricts the amount of food that can be eated and quickly changes how the body absorbs calories.
Each year about 40,000 people undergo bariatric surgery to permanently reduce their weight. To qualify for gastric surgery, a person must be at least 100 pounds overweight, have failed dieting regimens, have medical problems related to obesity and be psychologically stable.
"In addition, the patient must be willing to make permanent lifestyle changes," says Rupp. "Patients who make the required lifestyle changes can expect significant weight loss and better health." According to Rupp, his patients' average weight loss is about one-third of their body weight.
A Drastic Decision
Severson had struggled with weight for most of his life. He describes himself as a "big kid" who was able to control his weight in high school and college through athletics and sports. "But once I entered the real world and got a job at a desk, the weight just increased," says Severson. Then in April 2001, Severson and his wife, Susan, adopted a little girl, Mia. The new dad found new motivation for weight loss. "I want to live a long time for her and for myself," says Severson. But diets and increased exercise were still not enough. That fall, Severson's doctor recommended bariatric surgery. "I knew this was a drastic step," says Severson. "I drove into research and read everything I could find about bariatric surgery, so I knew what to expect." In May 2002, Rupp performed a vertical banded gastroplasty procedure on Severson. The weight began to come off quickly. "A year and a half later, I had reached my goal of 210 pounds," says Severson. "I feel awesome."
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