With obesity increasing in prevalence in Long Beach, California and numerous other U.S. cities, many doctors are recommending weight loss surgery to their patients in need of obesity help. Diet and exercise alone are not always completely effective, so many are considering bariatric surgery like gastric bypass surgery or gastric banding. Do you have a BMI of 40 or more? Alternately, is your BMI 35 to 40, but you have also received a diagnosis of obesity-related heart disease, joint disease, sleep apnea, or another condition? Lap Band® surgery (aka gastric band) is one of the more common procedures weight loss surgeries performed today because the rates of complications are low. Gastric bypass surgery is also somewhat common. Less frequently, a Long Beach, CA gastric surgeon may choose biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch or vertical banded gastroplasty for obese patients.

A relatively short drive to Los Angeles (depending on traffic, of course!), Long Beach is near many hospitals. These include the University of California, Los Angeles Medical Center, the USC Medical Center, Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, and Cedars Sinai Medical Center, among others.

Add some southern California tourist stops before your Long Beach bariatric surgery. Disneyland, Universal Studios, Knott’s Berry Farm, and Six Flags Magic Mountain are all within driving distance of Long Beach, CA. The Aquarium of the Pacific is also a popular destination. You could also take a boat to nearby Catalina Islands. Don’t forget to spend a day enjoying the beautiful southern California climate at the beach!