Bariatric Surgery at St. Thomas More Hospital
Obesity is a major health problem in the United States. Today, more than 1 in every 3 people in the United States is obese. Obese patients are at increased risk of developing illnesses as well as death. Morbidly obese patients have been shown to have a 12 times reduction in life expectancy.
Bariatric surgery is a term derived from the Greek words: "weight" and "treatment." Bariatric surgical procedures are major gastrointestinal operations that (a) seal off most of the stomach to reduce the amount of food one can eat, and (b) rearrange the small intestine to reduce the calories the bodies can absorb. There are several different types of bariatric weight loss surgical procedures, but they are known collectively as 'bariatric surgery'.
Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or greater or BMI of 35 or greater with co-morbid condition such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or sleep apnea, in determining candidacy for surgery will determine if this procedure may be right for you. Calculate your BMI
Lab-Band Procedure
We also offer the Lap-Band as an alternative surgery for weight loss. In fact, St. Thomas More Hospital premiered the procedure the same year it was approved in the United States by the FDA. The Lab-Band is minimally invasive, adjustable and reversible, and is done as outpatient surgery. Like a wristwatch, the silicone band is fastened around the upper stomach to create a new, tiny stomach pouch. As a result, patients experience an earlier sensation of fullness and are satisfied with smaller amounts of food.
The band is adjusted at regular intervals to meet individual patient weight loss needs. This can be done in the physician's office. After an initial rapid weight loss, patients will lose approximately 1-2 pounds per week. Patients must be prepared to make lifestyle changes and maintain those changes, as well as have regular follow-up sessions with their surgeon for the adjustments. Patients must meet the same National Institutes of Health criteria as for the Gastric Bypass procedure.
Our surgery department has extensive experience working with this procedure. For more information, please select your Surgeon who will provide more information about this procedure. For more information about physician's available, contact Ask-A-Nurse, at 719-285-2211.
