New Hampshire is facing a public health crisis. Over the past decade our overweight and obesity rates have rise to rival tobacco use as one of the most significant public health problems in the state. Here in the Granite State, more than 59% of adults are overweight or obese — and the cost to our taxpayers for dealing with obesity-related illnesses adds up to a staggering $300 million per year. It kills us by the thousands, and may lead to other life-threatening illnesses called co-morbidities, such as sleep apnea, diabetes, cancer, and heart conditions in those left alive.
We have to face up to the threat obesity poses to our state.
Fighting the Fat
Obesity is the condition of being significantly above one’s healthy weight. Healthy weight is calculated in terms of individual body mass index (BMI), which is determined by a formula that compares a person’s weight to height ratio. Those with a BMI of at least 25 are considered overweight; those with a BMI of 30 or above are considered obese.
The only way to change one’s BMI is by losing excess weight, and the only way to lose weight is to reduce the body’s caloric intake below its daily caloric needs. When this happens, the body begins to draw upon stored energy – fat – and down comes the weight. But losing excess weight can be a struggle. Many people try diets, exercise regimes, or weight-loss pills to lose weight, and some actually do drop a few sizes. But, many more do serious damage to their health in the process.
What’s more, losing weight is only part of the battle. Obesity is a disease. To effectively treat this disease, weight loss must come from a total realignment of the patient’s relationship to food. A medically-supervised program of diet and exercise is the ideal way to accomplish this. For someone who has been severely or morbidly obese for more than five years, however, weight loss surgery is often the only viable option.
The Surgical Option
Surgical weight loss – also known as bariatric surgery — has been proven to help those who are obese to reach their ideal weight and lessen their chances of developing weight-related health problems in the future. Bariatric procedures are intended to manage obesity by limiting the amount of food – and thus calories – that a person can consume. These procedures are performed under general anesthesia, in most cases laparoscopically. Each type of weight loss surgery procedure, such as Lap-Band or gastric bypass surgery, involves different risks and benefits.
Although research has proven that weight loss surgery is effective in the treatment of obesity, it is no magic cure. Patients who refuse to alter their unhealthy lifestyles will almost certainly gain back weight lost over time, which is why ongoing support and medical supervision is essential. The risks and possible outcomes of these procedures should always be discussed in advance with the patient’s physician before any decision is made.
Choosing Health
Obesity is a threat to New Hampshire. But we can beat obesity in the Granite State – if we each adopt comprehensive changes in diet and lifestyle as part of a total health-improvement program.
Craig B. Thompson
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/weight-loss-surgery-in-new-hampshire-683798.html
Before pics of me from 1998 till now…I have gradually just gotten bigger and bigger over the years and I am ready to make a change…..Once my surgery is over I will make another one of these at my one year mark showing my changes……
In this video I show you all the contents of the box of food for my pre and post surgery diet. My program requires that I buy it all from their office.
Hey! I’m back from Sayulita, Mexico–had a great time! I talk about some struggles with eating while vacationing, getting back to basics, and starting school. Will you help me with my Biology lab? Please!?!?!? My thoughts and prayers go out to Donna:
Surgery date: 3/25/08
Still at 211 and I managed not to gain any weight on a week long Mexican cruise on the Carnival Splendor. Looking forward to Vegas and meeting everyone!
