Solving obesity requires long-term commitment and hard work. You need to be determined to lose weight and live a healthy lifestyle not just for a few months or even a few years, but for a lifetime. Otherwise, obesity can affect both your physical health and your emotional well-being. If untreated, severe or morbid obesity can lead to a host of illnesses, such as diabetes, sleep disorders, arthritis, and even certain kinds of cancer. In addition, being significantly overweight can have a negative impact on your self-image and self esteem, which in turn can affect your job performance and your personal relationships.

Since 2004, Dr. Jason Harrison has helped patients overcome obesity and resolve related medical conditions through weight loss surgery. Based in Arlington, Texas, Dr. Harrison offers both the Lap-Band and gastric sleeve procedures. He is one of only a handful of practitioners to offer weight loss surgery in Arlington , and his practice has grown rapidly as both the Lap-Band and sleeve gastrectomy have gained popularity as viable treatment options.

Dr. Harrison recommends that anyone considering weight loss surgery first try a doctor prescribed diet and exercise program to lose weight. Aerobic exercise not only helps burn calories, but also improves heart health and reduces the risk of heart disease. Likewise, by monitoring your daily caloric intake, you can make sure that you are burning more calories every day than you are consuming. Patients are also advised to quit smoking, which is a requirement prior to surgery, and to avoid drinking alcohol.

Of course, the irony is that people who suffer from obesity may find it hard to start doing exercises, or even to walk, depending on how much extra weight they are carrying. Similarly, after years of overeating, people often find that their body simply craves more food, and they will often continue to eat to satisfy this craving—or simply out of habit—even if they know that continuing the behavior is the cause of their obesity. In other cases, a person who is obese may struggle with a food addiction and uncontrolled eating habits, which makes it nearly impossible to implement a diet plan.

If you are unable to lose enough weight through diet and exercise, or to lose weight fast enough to address other serious health concerns, you may be a candidate for weight loss surgery. During your first visit to Harrison Bariatrics, Dr. Harrison will assess your eating habits and measure your body mass index (BMI) to determine whether weight loss surgery is a viable treatment option.

If you decide to have weight loss surgery, a member of Dr. Harrison’s staff will schedule your surgery date and, if appropriate, help arrange payment for the procedure by your insurance carrier. Dr. Harrison will also take time to explain the risks and benefits of your weight loss surgery procedure, and the details of your pre-operative and post-operative care. Dr. Harrison and his staff believe in developing a close, personal relationship with each of his patients, and in treating patients like family. Because weight loss surgery involves a life-long commitment to regular follow-up visits, the team at Harrison Bariatrics wants patients to feel right at home.

Obesity can be fatal, but it can also be cured. Whether you choose weight loss surgery or you pursue a strict diet and exercise program, with determination and diligence, you can solve your weight problems.