A New Year, A New You:
A Healthy Approach to Weight Management
Millions of Americans are struggling to keep their weight under control. During the last 20 years, obesity in this country has risen at an epidemic rate, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Information in the 2007 Health Profile from the PA Department of Health revealed that 60 percent of adults, right here in Lancaster County, are overweight.
Obesity is more than a cosmetic problem. It affects every organ system in the human body and is often linked to serious medical conditions including Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, stroke and more. It is also known to increase your risk of certain types of cancer including colon, prostate, gallbladder, uterine and ovarian cancer.
The good news: reaching and maintaining a healthy weight will not only help prevent diseases like these, it can actually improve your life expectancy. With the right tools, education and support, you can make changes to reduce your medical risks and live a healthier life.
Healthy Weight Management
Lancaster General researched dozens of weight loss programs to create our Healthy Weight Management Program.
Our program is not a one-size-fits-all diet, but a personalized solution that includes nutritional education, physical activity guidance and behavioral modeling.
Our experienced and compassionate team of experts is here to guide and support you through the lifestyle changes that will bring you both immediate and long-term success.
Surgical Weight Loss
For those individuals who are severely overweight after trying unsuccessfully to lose weight through other methods of weight loss, there is the option of bariatric surgery.
Patients who are considering weight loss surgery through Lancaster General Bariatrics will first need to undergo physical and psychological evaluations to determine if they are candidates for surgical intervention.
Our team will discuss the risks and benefits of surgery and what to expect after surgery as you adopt new diet and exercise habits for long-term health.
At Lancaster General Bariatrics, all weight loss surgery is performed at Lancaster General Hospital by Alan H. Brader, MD, FACS. A native of Lancaster, Dr. Brader is board certified in both surgery and surgical critical care, and is an active member of the American Society of Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery. He is a clinical expert in the field of advanced laparoscopic, or minimally-invasive, surgery.
Dr. Brader describes the two weight loss surgery procedures performed by Lancaster General Bariatrics.
“We offer Roux en Y Gastric Bypass and Adjustable Gastric Bypass Band System,” he explains. “Both can be done as laparoscopic surgery on the majority of patients, using only 4 to 5 small 1/2-inch abdominal incisions.
At our pre-surgical educational seminar, patients will learn the benefits and risks of both procedures.”
Roux en Y gastric bypass surgery makes the stomach smaller, allowing food to bypass part of the small intestine. The result is a reduction in caloric intake and a more immediate sense of fullness after eating.
The adjustable gastric band system reduces the stomach’s capacity, restricting the amount of food that can be consumed at one time.
The gastric band is placed around the upper portion of the stomach to create a smaller stomach that fills first, causing a sense of fullness. The band can be adjusted to make the opening size different widths to control the emptying speed of food from above the band.
“Following surgery, patients will need to develop healthier eating and lifestyle habits to maintain their weight loss success,” Dr. Brader continues. “The Healthy Weight Management Program can provide both guidance and support.”
A Personal Look at Bariatric Surgery
June 4, 2008 is a birthday of sorts for Samaria Haldeman. It was the day of her bariatric surgery and the beginning of her new, healthier life. Like a birth, the process began months before her surgery.
“I actually looked into the procedure two to three years earlier and was not ready,” Samaria reveals. “Then in 2008 I attended a seminar by Dr. Brader and made the decision to start the process.”
Over the next three to four months, Samaria met frequently with the team from the Healthy Weight Management Program, including an exercise physiologist, a nutritionist and Dr. Brader himself.
“With weight loss surgery, you need to start developing good habits ahead of time. You can’t just wake up after the surgery and suddenly have a new lifestyle,” Samaria explains.
For those who are considering weight loss surgery, Samaria cautions them to look into it carefully and make sure they are emotionally ready. “A lot of issues come to the surface like food addiction and self esteem,” she explains. “You need to have a good support system and people in your life who will share your new lifestyle.”
Samaria’s approach to eating is not the only thing she has changed since her surgery. “Everything changes. My social life no longer revolves around food. Now I call my friends and we will meet for a hike or to play tennis. As a result, they’ve gotten healthier, too.”
Living a healthier life has gotten Samaria more organized, too.
“I plan my meals in advance and I budget my funds to invest in fresh foods, vitamin supplements and even a gym membership.”
In addition to scheduled visits at the Healthy Weight Management Program, Samaria also stays on track with the help of a monthly support group at Lancaster General. “Our group includes people who had the surgery years ago. They understand the road ahead and provide emotional support to those of us just undergoing the journey.”
Life after bariatric surgery requires a strong dedication to healthy new habits, but Samaria has no regrets. “I am absolutely happy I did it,” she says joyfully.
For a free Healthy Weight Management kit or to schedule a consultation with Lancaster General Bariatrics, call 888-544-BWEL.
To qualify as a candidate for weight loss surgery, a patient must:
- Weigh at least 100 pounds over his or her ideal weight*
- Have a history of being severely overweight for at least 3-5 years
- Demonstrate a failure to have lost weight in at least one documented formal program
- Have at least one medical condition associated with, or made worse by, being severely overweight.
* Ideal weight standards are determined from the Metropolitan Life Insurance Tables.
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