Texas tied with Ohio for 13^th place in a list of states with the highest obesity rates for adults. Both states have an obesity rate of 29 percent; the state with the highest rate of obesity was Mississippi, where 33.8% of adults are obese. For historical perspective, no state had an obesity rate above 20 percent in 1991. Colorado has the lowest obesity rate of any state, at 19.1 percent.

Given the obesity epidemic in the U.S., more people are turning to bariatric surgery to help lose weight.

The most common weight loss surgery is gastric bypass, which divides the stomach into a small pouch. The surgery reduces the size of the stomach so that the patient feels satisfied with less food. In addition to eating less, you will also absorb less food, leading to significant weight loss.

A lap band is another bariatric surgery option, in which a silicone band gets placed on the upper portion of the stomach, limiting the intake of food and suppressing hunger. The advantage of the lap band is that it is adjustable, which allows for a moderate progression of weight loss.

The gastric sleeve is a newer type of bariatric surgery where a portion of the stomach is surgically removed so that it takes the form of a sleeve. This process results in hunger suppression and brings about a gradual, significant weight loss.

For those battling obesity, Dr. Frenzel in is an expert in the field of bariatric surgery and has offices in Arlington and Dallas, Texas. He performs several bariatric surgieries, as well as post-bariatric body lifts in which excess skin and tissue, which is often present after significant weight loss, is reduced, and the skin is tightened to improve the body shape.

People who undergo liposuction aren’t necessarily overweight – many are in good physical condition.  The problem is, a shift occurs at a certain age that affects weight fluctuations, and it leaves you with stubborn areas of fat (people in the industry call them “fat deposits” or “pockets”) that don’t respond to conventional body slimming methods.

There are several relatively new liposuction techniques being performed that are making the procedure easier and more effective than ever.

• VASER Ultrasonic liposuction emulsifies fat for precise, easy removal.
• Laser liposuction ‘melts’ fat before suctioning it out.
• Tumescent liposuction involves the injection of lidocaine and adrenaline into the tissue.

Some of the newer platforms may not be as effective as advertised, nor as effective as traditional liposuction.  Contact us to learn more about what liposuction techniques and devices we employ in our Dallas surgery practice.