We Understand Obesity
Obesity is now the leading cause of preventable death in the Canada and the United States. Over 60% of Canadians are categorized as being overweight or obese. Obesity is a serious medical problem facing Canadians.
Individuals with a BMI greater than 30 are at higher risk of being afflicted by health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, liver disease, sleep apnea and cancer. Obesity can affect the way you feel about yourself, give you a poor self-image and cause you to become socially isolated. The traditional remedy for being overweight is to exercise more while you eat less and eat sensibly. However, studies show that diets and commercial weight loss programs rarely produce sustained weight loss. Most people regain the weight they lose on a diet and some end up weighing even more. This pattern of yo-yo dieting in obese patients leads to a feeling of frustration, depression and very often patients will give up attempting to lose weight.
Not everyone who has a weight problem should consider surgery. It depends on whether or not you are overweight, obese, or morbidly obese. One way to tell is by your Body Mass Index (BMI), which depends on your weight and your height. The ideal BMI is between 19 and 25. If your BMI is greater than 28 you may be a candidate for one of our weight loss procedures.
BMI measures your weight/height ratio. It is your weight in kilograms divided by the square of your height in meters. For instance, if your height is 1.82 meters, the divisor of the calculation will be (1.82 * 1.82) = 3.3124. If you weigh 70.5 kilograms, then your BMI is 21.3 (70.5 / 3.3124).
Whats your BMI?
BMI measures your weight/height ratio. It is your weight in kilograms divided by the square of your height in meters. For instance, if your height is 1.82 meters, the divisor of the calculation will be (1.82 * 1.82) = 3.3124. If you weigh 70.5 kilograms, then your BMI is 21.3 (70.5 / 3.3124).
Your BMI indicates that you are a candidate for our lap-band procedure. Please click ahead to learn more about how this procedure fits you
Calculate your Body Mass Index. To determine if you're at a healthy weight, enter the following information and calculate your BMI.
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Am I a Candidate for the
Lap-Band Program?
You may be a candidate if you:
- Have a BMI greater than 30 and have weight-related health
problems (co-morbidities) - Have a BMI greater than 35
- Are between the ages of 18 and 65
- Are a Canadian resident
Am I a Candidate for the Gastric Balloon Program?
You may be a candidate if you:
- Have a BMI between 28 and 40
- You have not had previous stomach surgery
- Are between the ages of 18 and 65
- Are a Canadian resident
Obesity is a complex medical illness that is usually chronic. There are many factors leading to obesity. The five main causes are discussed below:
1
Poor Eating Habits
Lack of physical activity is a contributing factor to obesity. Individuals who are overweight find it harder to be physically active which can contribute to even more weight gain. Obesity leads to back, hip, knee, and foot pain, which in turn further inhibits an active lifestyle and leads to increased obesity.
2.
Lack of Physical Activity
Most people are aware that poor eating habits can affect your weight. Overeating, failure to eat a balanced diet and unhealthy snacks between meals can lead to obesity. Drinking high-calorie or artificially sweetened soft drinks can also contribute to obesity. If you get more energy from your food than you need, the body stores the excess calories as fat. If your body never uses the extra calories, you will gain weight.