Contrary to popular belief, the cause of obesity is not a lack of will power, but a complex interplay between genetics, behavior and the environment.

Health Consequences associated with obesity*

• Adult Onset Diabetes
• High Blood Pressure
  
• Gallbladder Disease
• Elevated Cholesterol
• Urinary Incontinence (Leakage of urine when coughing or with activity)
• Acid Reflux
• Deep Vein Thrombosis
• Pulmonary Embolism (Bloodclots in lungs)
• Sleep Apnea (Breathing stops periodically during sleep)
• Coronary Artery Disease
• Heart Failure
• Loss of Fertility
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
• Breast, Colon and Endometrial Cancer
• Arthritis
• Back Pain
• Degenerative Joint Disease and Painful Joints
• Overall Decreased Life Expectancy
  
  * Most of these "co-morbidities" improve drastically after weight reduction.

Options for weight loss
Numerous therapeutic approaches to this problem have been advocated, including low calorie diets, drugs, behavioral modifications and exercise therapy, but the only treatment proven to be effective in the long term management of morbid obesity is surgical intervention.

Who is a candidate for weight loss surgery?
Individuals with the following:

• BMI > 35 with an associated medical condition (high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea) or a BMI > 40. To figure your BMI click here.
• 18-65 years old (with some exceptions)
• Acceptable operative risks
• Failed attempts with diet plans, behavioral and medical therapy
• Realistic expectations and a strong motivation to become healthier
• Capable of understanding the procedure and implications
• Commitment to prolonged life-style changes and long-term follow-up
• Psychologically prepared

Medically Supervised Diet Plan
Most insurance companies will require documentation of a medically supervised diet plan before they will authorize coverage for weight loss surgery.  This supervised diet must typically be at least six months in duration, and have occurred in the past three years (please verify with your insurance company what specific requirement you must meet).  This documentation in your medical record by either a primary care provider or registered dietitian should include:

• Monthly appointments with your primary care provider or registered dietitian to:  monitor weight, discuss lifestyle/behavioral changes, and discuss food changes for healthy weight loss
• Documentation of each visit in the patient health record that shows weight changes and progress on goals established by your and your health care provider
• Exercise

Registered Dietitians who are experienced in the lifestyle changes required both before and after weight loss surgery are available at Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare.  Monthly visits can be arranged to provide education, weigh-ins, individualized goal setting and behavioral change counseling.  Dietitians provide documenation of your progress to your primary care provider.  Appointments are available at both the Waterloo and Cedar Falls locations, to schedule, please call 319.272.7200.  For more information on insurance coverage, please contact the customer service department of your insurance company, or view a PDF of our Insurance Information Handbook.

Severe Obesity
Between three and five percent of the United States adult population is severely obese. The new National Institute of Health obesity guidelines propose that physicians use body mass index (BMI) to assess patients because the index is simple, applies to both men and women and takes into consideration both height and weight.

Click here to figure out your BMI

Getting Started
If you think you are a candidate for this type of surgery and want to get started with the preoperative procedures, contact us and to attend a free information seminar where you will receive a packet of information to start the process.