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What
is morbid obesity? |
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The
word "morbid" means causing disease or injury. Morbid Obesity,
also referred to as Clinically Severe Obesity, is a serious disease
process, in which the accumulation of fatty tissue on the body becomes
excessive, and interferes with, or injures the other bodily organs,
causing serious and life-threatening health problems, which are called
co-morbidities. In many cases the cause is genetic in that you inherit
the tendency to gain weight. |
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How
do you know if you are morbidly obese?
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There
are generally three criteria:
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- Are you more
than 100 lb over your "ideal body weight"?
- Is your Body
Mass Index greater than 40, or is it greater than 35 accompanied
by serious co-morbidity?
- Have you
tried dieting, in particular medically-supervised dieting, and
been unable to achieve a sustained healthy body weight?
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What
is the youngest patient who can have this procedure?
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Surgery
can be performed on patients as young as 16 years of age. In this
age group, there is concern that the patient him or herself make the
decision for surgery. In order for success a serious commitment must
be made to alter eating patterns for the rest of his or her life.
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What
is the oldest patient who can have this procedure? |
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This
is a personal decision. Patients over 65 require very strong indications
for surgery, and must usually also meet stringent MediCARE or private
health insurance criteria. As one would expect the risk of surgery
in this age group can be increased and the benefits reduced. Patients
should not dismiss the surgical option based solely on their age.
A personal consultation with a qualified physician is suggested. |
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