Obesity is a disease that either creates or is related to many comorbidities, such as hypertension, diabetes, but one that is also common, but not mentioned as much is urinary incontinence.

What is urinary incontinence?

Urinary incontinence is a condition in which the patient has an involuntary release of urine, which affects very seriously their quality of life, as well as their social interaction, personal relationships and psychological wellbeing. Many patients feel ashamed of seeking attention.

Obesity has a strong impact on urinary incontinence. The mechanisms behind urinary incontinence aren’t fully established, but there’s a strong correlation between Body Mass Index (BMI) and intra-abdominal pressure. It’s also known that obese patients have a reduced nerve conduction velocity that can have an impact on the time taken for nerve signals that control bladder function to be relayed.

How obesity affects this…

With the accumulation of extra weight in a patient’s midsection, that puts extra pressure on the bladder that can cause the bladder to leak. Actions that typically can produce incontinence include laughing, sneezing, coughing or kneeling. You can learn more on the correlation between Obesity and Incontinence in this case study.

Benefits of losing weight

Patients that lose weight can see an improvement in their urinary symptoms. Overall health benefits can be seen in patients who lose as little as 10% of their excess body weight. If patients continue with healthy eating habits and avoiding beverages that have diuretic properties (such as coffee, alcohol and cranberry juice), they can even eliminate urinary incontinence.

The benefits of losing weight are many, and urinary incontinence is one of the biggest. There are many ways to lose the weight. Here at Obesity Control Center, we can help guide patients to achieve their weight loss goals, provide guidance in selecting a weight loss method that works best for each patient. We can help them to get results and enjoy a new lease in life and a healthy lifestyle.


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OCC’s epidemiologist is closely monitoring the COVID-19 status and is actively issuing updates as they are available. The Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization are the most trusted sources online.  While the CDC has announced new mask protocols for vaccinated individuals, there will be no changes for our office protocols for patients, guests, and staff members as the announcement does not apply to hospitals or medical facilities. Masks are still a requirement for all patients, guests and staff at our facility.

As we reinitiate weight loss surgery, we are constantly adapting and installing new and updated safety measures.

Weight loss surgery is medically necessary.

Bariatric Surgery and the clash of two pandemics.   

Major metabolic and bariatric surgery Societies and colleges globally are now calling for the safe resumption of bariatric and metabolic surgery before the COVID-19 pandemic is declared over. 

The sooner bariatric surgery can be safely performed, the quicker obesity, type 2 diabetes, and other diseases can be reduced or resolved as they are not only chronic they are also progressive.  Obesity is also linked to more than 40 diseases including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, stroke, sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, and at least 13 different types of cancer.

A recent statement from the ASMBS says “Before COVID-19 began, it was clear that patients with obesity were ‘safer through surgery.’ In the era of COVID-19, ‘safer through surgery’ for patients with obesity may prove to be even more important than before.” Obesity and Metabolic syndrome have been identified as an independent risk factor for adverse outcomes including death among COVID-19 patients.

See here for full COVID-19 update. 

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