Best Weight Loss Surgeon in Orange County

Your Weight Loss Surgery Options

The best weight loss surgeon in Orange County is someone who will discuss your available options based on factors such as your body type, how much weight you want to lose, and your overall health. There are four common surgical options for patients who have failed with other efforts to lose weight and keep it off. With a roux-en-Y gastric bypass, a small pouch is created and part of the small intestine is cut to allow food to flow from the pouch to the intestine.

An inflatable balloon is placed around the stomach with laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding. A sleeve gastrectomy involves the separation of part of the stomach to create a smaller, tube-like “sleeve.” A biliopancreatic diversion with a duodenal switch is more invasive procedure where a large of the stomach is removed and the middle part of the intestine is attached to the first part of the small intestine (duodenum).

Your Expectations with Surgery

The best weight loss surgeon in Orange County will be someone who will go beyond explaining your options. Your reasons for considering surgical weight loss should also be taken into consideration. This part of the discussion during an initial consultation typically involves making sure patients have realistic expectations.

While it is possible to see dramatic results with certain types of surgery, it can be a more gradual process with other procedures. Understanding what to expect can also prevent unnecessary sources of frustration with results. For instance, there may also be a point where weight loss tapers off after surgery. This is perfectly normal and shouldn’t be cause for concern.

Whether or Not You’re a Good Candidate

According to the American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery, preferred candidates for weight loss surgery are individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more who are at least 100 pounds above their ideal body weight. If you have a BMI of 35 or less, you may still qualify for weight loss surgery if you have at least one obesity-related condition that would likely improve with significant weight loss.

What You Can Do Before Surgery

Once you find the best weight loss surgeon in Orange County for your needs and personal level of comfort, they’ll likely be involved with every step of the process. This includes suggesting steps you can take prior to having your surgery, such as quitting smoking, making positive changes with your diet habits, and getting more exercise in a way that fits in with your current abilities (e.g., casual waling, low-impact aerobic workouts). Doing so may also help you shed some extra pounds prior to having your surgery, which can reduce the amount of fat around your liver and abdomen. This may allow you to have laparoscopic surgery instead of an open procedure.

The best weight loss surgeon in Orange County is also a medical professional who will take time to answer your questions and clearly explain your options before any decisions are made. It’s just as important to be willing to commit to the required lifestyle changes that will be necessary to maintain results post-surgery. When weight loss is successful, patients often enjoy increased natural energy, significant improvements with underlying health issues like diabetes and high blood pressure, and improved self-esteem and confidence.