Gastric Bypass and Sleeve Gastrectomy now an option for morbidly obese seniors

ORANGE, Calif., July 3, 2012 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- Bariatric Surgery for weight loss in the morbidly obese is one of the most common, major upper abdominal operations currently performed in North America. The benefits of bariatric surgery include improvement of obesity related diseases, reduction of cardiovascular risks, and longer life expectancy. Contrary to the perception that weight loss surgery is unsafe and unlikely to provide substantial benefits to Seniors, the same benefits of bariatric surgery to younger patients can now also be enjoyed by older morbidly obese patients. In addition to losing weight, with weight loss surgery seniors also increase quality of life by reducing or eliminating medical conditions related to obesity such as: diabetes, severe arthritis, sleep apnea, and high blood pressure.

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Very often obese seniors, do not pursue bariatric surgery for a variety of reasons including fear of rejection, insurance coverage concerns, and doubts over its benefits.  Albert H. is a  73 yr old post op Gastric Bypass patient of Dr. Milton Owens of the Coastal Center for Obesity. "I'd dealt with being overweight my whole life. I'd tried everything including a highly respected program at Duke University. Nothing worked for me over any length of time. I'd attended several weight loss surgery seminars down in the desert, but I never submitted my paperwork; I was afraid they'd tell me I was just too old for surgery. My health was bad though; I was in heart failure for one thing. My stock broker was a patient of Dr. Owens and recommended that I see him. I had Gastric Bypass last year and I didn't think Medicare will cover surgery due to my age. They did though. It really changed my life. I went from heart failure to a recent trip to Europe! Dr. Owens is really very special to me."

Dr.Milton Owens one of the most experience bariatric surgeons in the United States, welcomes senior patients at Coastal Center for obesity and his 20+ years of bariatric surgery experience help him address all patient concerns. As he states "All surgery is a trade-off between risks and benefits. As you get older and sicker the risks increase. The heavier the patient the greater the potential benefit; also certain problems respond very well to weight loss. The benefits are generally of two kinds: Medical benefits which are pretty well understood (eg. Diabetes goes away) and can be pretty clearly balanced against the risks. Quality of life benefits which are not so clear and are more subjective--patient specific, e.g. self-image; increased mobility.  In theory no one is too old or too young or even too skinny, if they understand clearly the risks and the benefits and choose surgery."

For more information, please call  800-475-3383 or visit http://www.coastalobesity.com

Media Contact: Lisa Gladstone Coastal Center for Obesity, 310 977 0976, lisa@coastalobesity.com

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SOURCE Coastal Center for Obesity

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