FLEMING ISLAND – With obesity rates higher in Clay County compared to Florida, residents can have life-saving procedures close to home.

Bariatric surgery, the most effective long-term solution for extreme obesity according to the National Institutes of Health, is now available at Baptist Medical Center Clay.

In Clay County, the obesity rate is 8% greater than that of Florida, with 35% of the population being obese compared to 27% for the state of Florida, according to the Florida Department of Health.

“Our goal is to meet the unique healthcare needs of our local residents here in Clay County,” said Hospital President Ed Hubel. “Being able to provide this important service in Clay County can make a real impact on the quality of life for those struggling with obesity.”

How bariatric surgery works

Bariatric surgery reduces the size of the stomach, limiting food intake while altering the hormones that regulate appetite and metabolism.

“It is the most effective solution for morbid obesity, with 60 years of proven experience,” said Craig Morgenthal, MD, a board-certified surgeon with North Florida Surgeons who provides bariatric surgery at Baptist Jacksonville and now, at Baptist Clay. “Many studies show the effectiveness of surgery over other methods, including medication.”

Morgenthal and his partner, Dr. Steve Hodgett, also with North Florida Surgeons, have performed more than 3,500 bariatric surgeries since 2013.

“Only 5% of morbidly obese patients – those who are at extreme risk for serious health issues – can achieve long-term, meaningful weight loss on their own,” said Hodgett. “Having bariatric surgery greatly increases the likelihood of success.”

Hodgett said bariatric surgery isn’t a magic wand; it takes commitment to a healthy diet and active lifestyle. “Weight loss surgery can help set you up for success, but ultimately, it requires dedication to a new way of life.”

“When patients are ready to commit to eating small portions of healthy food, exercising regularly, and following our program, this can be a life-changing intervention, and possibly even lifesaving,” Morgenthal said.

Baptist Health has dieticians, health coaches, behavioral therapists, and a support group to help patients lose weight.

To qualify for bariatric surgery, a patient must have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or a BMI of 35 and weight-related medical issues, such as diabetes or high blood pressure. They must also have attempted weight loss with behavioral modification or medical treatment and be committed to long-term lifestyle change. For those who meet these requirements, bariatric surgery is usually covered by Medicare and private insurance.

Baptist Clay offers the most popular weight loss procedures: sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass, as well as revisional operations for patients with a prior bariatric procedure.

Bariatric surgery: a long-term, effective solution

According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, sleeves and bypass surgeries cause patients to lose 25% to 35% of their total body weight five years after surgery. Typically, these procedures result in a 50% to 70% loss of excess weight.

Along with weight loss, bariatric surgery is proven to resolve or decrease the severity of weight-related conditions, such as heart failure, stroke, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer, all of which have higher incidence rates in Clay County compared to the state, according to the Florida Department of Health.

Residents interested in weight loss surgery can visit baptistbaritrics.com or call (904) 202-SLIM (7546.)