Definition of Morbid Obesity
In general terms, morbid obesity is defined as being more than 100 lbs (45kg) over ideal body weight .
Click here to view our pop-up ideal body weight chart.

In medical language, we refer to what is called the “ Body Mass Index ” or BMI for short. The BMI is calculated based on your weight and height. We can calculate your BMI for you. Simply enter your height and weight into the BMI calculator on this site.

In the medical world, there are four general categories of obesity based on your BMI: obese, morbidly obese, super-obese, and super/super-obese. The first category of obesity may be further sub-divided into: mild, moderate, or severe.

Comorbidities

Following are some of the conditions recognized as being related to the presence of morbid obesity:

Medical Treatment
Overall, weight loss drugs and diet programs may produce a modest weight loss, averaging 4-22 lb, but can be effective in improving health. Typically weight loss plateaus after 6 months even with continued drug use and there is significant re-gain with time. Leptin and other gene therapies are on the horizon but may be 10 years or more away from availability for clinical use. Drugs and Diets typically do NOT achieve significant long-term results for the severely obese.

Are you a candidate for surgery? - Based on information from the NIH (National Institute of Health) consensus, you may be a candidate for surgery if you meet the following criteria:

• BMI of greater than 35 and the presence of comorbidities
  /or

• BMI of greater than 40 regardless of the presence or absence of comorbidities

Research from Australia demonstrates that Lap-Band surgery, in patients with a BMI of 30 to 35, effectively prevents the development of co-morbid diseases.

Surgical Options - For a complete list and description of surgical options for morbid obesity, please visit www.asbs.org Following is an explanation of two of the most commonly performed procedures, both of which are performed by Dr. Deol.

Before Surgery - Due to the number of medical problems that may be associated with the disease of morbid obesity, a thorough medical, psychological, and nutritional evaluation must be performed prior to surgery. Dr. Deol uses a special protocol to prepare her patients for surgery. She will have you visit your medical doctor, a psychiatrist / psychologist, and a nutritionist. You will get your referrals for the psychologist and the nutritionist at your initial consultation.

Medical Doctor - Your family doctor will evaluate you for all possible medical conditions that may exist prior to surgery in order to start or adjust treatment. This is done to minimize the risks of surgery to you. you will be required to have updated, age/sex appropriate preventive medical tests such as: mammogram, pap-test and sigmoidoscopy. you may also be referred to specialists such as heart or lung specialists who will do further testing as needed.

Nutritionist - This visit is to evaluate you's eating habits and provide you with expectations of how your diet will change. Guidelines will be given regarding what steps need to be taken to ensure that adequate nutrition is maintained.

Initial Patient Forms - After you schedule your appointment with our office, please print out and complete you History Intake Form below, and bring it with you to your scheduled appointment. Without this completed form, we will have to reschedule your appointment. We would also greatly appreciate it if you could arrive at your scheduled appointment 15 minutes early to complete several additional forms.

Patient History Intake Form [ click here ]

Psychiatrist / Psychologist - This visit is for two main purposes. First, many patients with morbid obesity have a known or unknown associated depression. Some may even be on medications for this. It s important to know this before surgery and monitor you for any needed adjustments after surgery. Secondly, many patients are unprepared for the changes that occur in your life after surgery. Changes may occur in everything from eating habits to personal relationships. This can cause unexpected emotions that can be managed with the help of a psychiatrist / psychologist . For the most part, these changes are positive changes. In spite of this, some people will need help adjusting to these positive changes.

Patient Commitment - Finally, you must demonstrate a commitment to improving his/her health care by starting an exercise program, quitting smoking, and refraining from excess alcohol intake. All of these steps will give you the best chance of undergoing a successful surgery. If you already have your own medical doctor, Dr. Deol will communicate these requirements to your doctor. If you do not have a medical doctor, Dr. Deol will be happy to refer you to one.

	Lap Band ®
	Gastric Bypass

Patient Registration - If you have already called our office and made an appointment, you would have been asked to come to our web site and download you History Intake Form. You can [ click here ] and then print off the form. Please take the time to answer all of the questions so that your file is complete. Do this when you have at least one hour of free time available.