Is your weight controlling your life and affecting your health? Have you tried every diet under the sun? Having bariatric surgery in La Crosse, Wisconsin, may be your solution for long-term weight loss. Considering bariatric surgery is a huge commitment, and we promise to be here for every question you have.

We know that being overweight isn't about a lack of willpower, and we offer proven, medically based solutions. Most importantly, we genuinely care about your success. You'll find sensitive, supportive and respectful help from experts in multiple medical specialties, and be given information on insurance, medical consultations, hospital and follow-up care, exercise and nutrition, counseling and support groups along the journey. Your weight and other health information will be held in strict confidence. We support your every step, focusing on your emotional, physical, nutritional and educational needs.

Have questions? Email our team at LABariatrics@mayo.edu.

Learn more about bariatric surgery:

• Benefits of bariatric surgery
• Surgical options
• After bariatric surgery
• Obesity causes

Benefits of bariatric surgery include:

• Normalized blood pressure and cholesterol
• Disappearance of type 2 diabetes
• Lowered risk of heart disease
• Improved breathing
• Relief from sleep apnea
• Disappearance of gastroesophageal reflux disease
• Relief from low back pain, and degenerative disk or joint disease
• Reduction in cancer risk

To be considered as a surgical candidate, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Have a body mass index, or BMI, of 40 or above, or have a BMI of 35–40 with significant associated health problems, such as diabetes, heart problems, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or sleep apnea
• Have made documented attempts in the past to lose weight
• Have not had alcohol or chemical abuse issues
• Have no untreated psychiatric conditions as determined by a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist

Read FAQ about bariatric surgery.

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Two types of bariatric surgery procedures are available:

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After bariatric surgery

Follow-up is an important part of the bariatric surgery process. After surgery, you'll meet with a registered dietitian who will help you maintain a healthy diet and ensure you're getting the proper amounts of protein and vitamins. You'll see the dietitian at scheduled intervals. You'll also follow up with your surgeon or another clinician on our Bariatric Surgery team several times in the year after surgery with indefinite annual visits. You can call the bariatric coordinator between visits if you have any questions or concerns.

Support group meetings can help you achieve long-term success. Monthly meetings include talks from dietitians, exercise physiologists, behavioral health experts and other health care professionals.

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Obesity causes

Being seriously overweight is not caused by any single factor. Several things contribute to morbid obesity, including:

• Age
• Culture
• Emotional or psychological factors
• Family history
• Gender
• High-fat, high-calorie diet
• Physical inactivity

A good way to recognize obesity is to calculate your BMI. This tool measures your height-weight ratio. It's your weight in kilograms divided by the square of your height in meters. Another indicator of risk for obesity is if waist circumference is greater than 40 inches for men and 35 inches for women.

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Additional resources:

• Read the Keys to Success Following Weight-loss Surgery handout.
• Read FAQ in the Life After Weight-loss Surgery handout.