Obesity is a national epidemic, and it's particularly bad in San Antonio. "Men's Fitness" magazine estimates that San Antonio is the third-fattest city in the nation. It's more than a cosmetic issue--obese people spend 40 percent more on health-care costs than thin people. Bariatric surgery, which reduces the size of the stomach, is expanding as an option to reduce weight. About 220,000 people in the United States and Canada had the surgery in 2008.
Options
Bariatric surgery isn't a first option. Most San Antonio physicians and insurance companies will insist that patients try a strict routine of diet and exercise before having the surgery. Some may also require patients to try weight-loss drugs. Bariatric surgery is seen as a last resort for weight loss, because of its risks. Nationwide, about one in 200 patients die from the surgery. Infections and ulcers also occur in about 5 percent of all patients who have gastric bypass surgery.
Types of surgery
Gastric banding is one of the most common types of surgery offered in San Antonio, using a band to separate the stomach into two halves. The reduction in the upper half of the stomach reduces the amount of food that a person can eat. In a sleeve gastrectomy, the stomach is mostly removed, directing food straight into the intestines. Finally, Roux-en-Y bypass surgery is the most common weight-loss surgery. It divides the stomach into halves and bypasses parts of the digestive tract that absorb calories.
Insurance
Medicare, the federal health insurance program for the disabled and elderly, approved bariatric surgery as a weight-loss option in 2006 for people who are obese and have a chronic condition stemming from obesity, such as heart disease or diabetes. Medicare's approval, however, doesn't mean private insurers will cover the surgery. Depending on the type of procedure, bariatric surgery can cost between $18,000 and $35,000. If you're considering it, be sure to talk to your insurance company.
Places for Bariatric Surgery
There are a half-dozen San Antonio hospitals where bariatric surgery has been approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid. They include Foundation Surgical Hospital, Methodist Healthcare System, Nix Hospital, Northeast Baptist Hospital, Southwest General Hospital, and the Texsan Heart Hospital. In addition, Citizen's Bariatric Hospital in Victoria also offers the surgery. As with any surgical procedure, talk with the hospital doctors to make sure they're experienced and haven't had high rates of deaths or other complications.
Following Up
Eating less means you'll have to be careful about what you eat. Ask your physician if they work with a nutritionist who specializes in post-bariatric surgery diets. You can also check with the Texas State Board of Examiners of Dietitians to find a registered nutritionist in San Antonio.
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