Obesity in Livingston

Our obesity services are designed to help our patients identify the causes of weight gain and obesity, as well as the most effective ways of treating those conditions. Obesity is a disease – we can treat it. For some, obesity is easily treated with diet and exercise, but for others – specifically individuals who are morbidly obese – medical obesity treatments may provide a faster and more permanent solution. Ultimately, our goal is to help every individual achieve a healthy weight, which we know will decrease the chances of developing or continuing to live with heart disease and diabetes.

Obesity Treatments

Medical Weight Loss and Management:
Losing weight is easier under the supervision of a metabolic physician. In fact, you should never embark on a new diet or fitness plan without first consulting with a physician. Our medical weight loss and management treatments utilize both natural methods of weight loss through exercise and a customized diet plan, as well as the use of medical weight loss supplements and medications as deemed necessary by Dr. Krok.

Pre-Operative and Post-Operative Metabolic Monitoring:
Should patients choose to undergo a medical weight management procedure, such as gastric bypass weight loss surgery, we offer pre-operative and post-operative metabolic monitoring to ensure the body is maintaining a healthy balance of blood glucose levels, hormones and insulin. This helps ensure that post-operative complications are minimized and that your investment in your health is successful.

Surgical Obesity Solutions

In some cases, surgical solutions offer obesity patients the highest chances of weight loss success. Although not right for everyone, our office can help you determine whether weight loss surgery is a good choice for you and if so, which surgical solution you should undergo.

Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band:
Known to many as ‘gastric banding’ (Lap Band® or Realize®) laparoscopic adjustable gastric band surgery is a surgical obesity solution to achieving and maintaining weight loss. Gastric banding is very common and involves placing an adjustable band around the top portion of the stomach. Because the band is attached to a device located just under the skin, it can be tightened or loosened as needed. Individuals who undergo gastric banding can expect to lose an average of 40 percent of excess weight. Many patients prefer gastric banding due to its low rate of complications and ability to be reversed.

Sleeve Gastrectomy:
Like other obesity surgery, sleeve gastrectomy restricts the amount of food you can consume by making the stomach smaller. Unlike gastric banding, sleeve gastrectomy is permanent, because half of the stomach is surgically removed during the procedure. In order for a sleeve gastrectomy to be effective for weight loss, patients must follow physician orders about food choices following the operation. Eating too much food too quickly could cause the stomach to stretch, voiding the benefits of the operation. However, when performed correctly and combined with healthy dietary changes and exercise, a sleeve gastrectomy can help patients to lose an average of 50 percent of excess body weight.

Gastric Bypass:
Gastric bypass surgery is by far the most common obesity weight loss procedure performed in the U.S. It works by sealing off part of the stomach, and connecting the upper part of the stomach directly to the small intestine. This limits calorie absorption and also makes the stomach smaller, meaning smaller food quantities can be ingested at one time. Gastric bypass is permanent, but typically results in fast weight loss that has been shown to stay off in most patients for a decade or more. Diabetic patients have been shown to achieve resolution from their diabetes in many instances.

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