Dr. William Rice/(Photo courtesy of Presbyterian Rust Medical Center)

 

 

…we are currently one of 38 states with an obesity rate over 30 percent

 

Over the past 20 years, the U.S. obesity rate has increased from 31 percent to 42 percent. During the same time, severe obesity increased from 5 percent to 9 percent.

In New Mexico, we have seen the adult obesity rate steadily increase over the past decade and we are currently one of 38 states with an obesity rate over 30 percent.

Obesity has a major impact on your body and your overall health. People who suffer from obesity are at an increased risk for several serious health conditions including diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, sleep apnea, stroke and even cancer. These are among the leading causes of preventable, premature death.

While healthy eating and physical activity are important, it can be very difficult to lose weight. Bariatric surgery can help achieve significant weight loss and improve medical conditions associated with obesity.

At the Presbyterian Bariatric Center, we offer treatment of severe obesity through surgical intervention and also a new medical weight loss program. Our multidisciplinary team works with you to create a plan of care that will help you achieve healthy weight loss and improve your overall health.

The weight loss surgeries performed at our program are the gastric sleeve, the gastric bypass and the loop duodenal switch. We are the only bariatric program in New Mexico that offers the loop duodenal switch, also known as the stomach intestinal pylorus-sparing surgery (SIPS).

Our comprehensive program will provide you with nutritional and psychological support before, during and after surgery to help you achieve the success needed for a healthier life.

In addition to surgery, we now offer a medical weight loss program to help patients lose weight safely and effectively, without surgery.

We approach each patient as an individual, considering their unique medical, social and environmental history when developing a comprehensive weight loss plan.

For more information on our bariatric services, visit phs.org.