Bariatric Surgery Often Only Long-Lasting Weight Loss Option

San Diego, CA (PRWEB) August 7, 2007 -- A recent study predicts that within eight years, 75 percent of U.S. adults will be overweight, with 41 percent deemed obese. Previous studies have shown that 66 percent of U.S. adults are overweight or obese.

With this increased weight gain in individuals across the nation comes a heightened risk for heart disease, diabetes, joint pain and a host of other weight-related health conditions. All of these risks, combined with the need for a healthier lifestyle, have increased the popularity of gastric bypass surgery, also known as bariatric surgery. The procedure surgically reduces the size of a patient's stomach and can be performed through a minimally invasive laparoscopic incision or via traditional open surgery.

"Many of our patients have tried for years to lose weight, with little or no long-term success," said Eugene Rumsey, M.D., F.A.C.S., surgeon at Scripps Mercy Hospital and Pacific Bariatric Surgical Medical Group (http://www.pbsmg.com). "Gastric bypass is often the healthiest and most efficient method for these individuals to lose weight."

In addition to drastically reducing the size of an individual's stomach, the surgery is also the first step in a series of lifestyle changes. Simply reducing one's stomach size is not enough; patients must commit to adopting a new diet by eating lower-fat and high-protein foods to ensure proper nutrition, since the amount of food they consume will be reduced. In addition, exercise can greatly improve health and increase weight loss after surgery. Support groups, such as those offered as part of aftercare by Pacific Bariatric Surgical Medical Group and Scripps Mercy Hospital, are an excellent way to adjust to a new lifestyle in the company of like-minded patients.

Surgeons at Pacific Bariatric Surgical Medical Group (http://www.pbsmg.com) have performed more than 10,000 procedures on adult and adolescent patients at Scripps Mercy Hospital. Laparoscopic bariatric surgery, one of the surgical options available, offers a shorter recovery time with faster healing, less scarring and less pain. A healthy diet, support groups and a customized exercise plan help lead patients on the path to losing weight and staying healthy for life.

Pacific Bariatric Surgical Medical Group, Inc. and Scripps Mercy Hospital are nationally designated by the American Society for Bariatric Surgery as a Center of Excellence for Bariatric Surgery. Pacific Bariatric Surgical Medical Group, also known as Hillcrest Surgical Medical Group, Inc., has an 80-year tradition of surgical excellence and leadership in San Diego County. For more information, visit http://www.pbsmg.com

Established in 1890 by the Sisters of Mercy, Scripps Mercy Hospital serves the San Diego and Chula Vista communities. With 700 licensed beds, more than 3,000 employees and 1,300 physicians, Scripps Mercy Hospital is San Diego's longest established and only Catholic hospital. With two campuses, Scripps Mercy Hospital is the largest hospital in San Diego County and one of the 10 largest in California. For more information, visit www.scripps.org.

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