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July 13, 2006
Today, nearly 55 percent of adults in the United States are overweight and six million are classified as morbidly obese, meaning they are at least 100 pounds over their normal body weight. As obesity rates rise, so do the number of patients turning to surgery as a tool for their weight-loss needs. Bariatric surgery is a drastic and life-changing step in the fight against obesity.

Dr. Todd Eibes, M.D., FACS, Medical Director, Des Moines Bariatrics says, "This is a surgical procedure and it is only the first step in getting healthy.  It also involves a large commitment by the patient to dramatically change their lifestyle.  It is not an overnight cure."

There are many types of bariatric surgery. With the most common approach, the stomach is divided into a small pouch to limit the amount of food that can be eaten.  Also, a portion of the intestine is bypassed to limit the amount of calories that can be absorbed.

Dr. Eibes says, "Like any surgical procedure, results are not guaranteed and complications can arise, but for the right patients who are committed to making changes in their lives, it can be very much worth while. The surgery is far safer than living with morbid obesity."