|
Weight Loss Surgery
at St.
John's
Are You a
Candidate for Weight Loss Surgery?
The National Institute of Health has
established guidelines for consideration for bariatric (obesity) surgery.
A patient must have a BMI over 35 with any combination of diabetes,
hypertension or sleep apnea or another severe complication of obesity,
which would be
lessened by significant weigh loss. Any patient with a BMI of
over 40 can be considered for surgery. The evaluation
process involves an office consultation and examination, laboratory tests and other
diagnostic tests such as lung function studies and an echocardiogram (heart). Evaluations
are tailored to each individual patient. Other tests
may be required for insurance authorization.
Other options for weight
loss at St. John's Medical Center include our Lifestyle Strategies for
Weight Management program, as well as personal training, and fitness
memberships.
At St. John's
Medical Center, we believe that success to weight loss surgery begins
before surgery, continuing through the hospital experience and beyond.
Pre-operatively, we carefully screen our patients to make sure they are
well aware of the benifits and risks of gastric bypass surgery, providing
educational materials and one-on-one counseling with a dietitian,
psychologist, bariatric nurse coordinator and surgeon.
Every clinical area of
the hospital has been prepared for the special needs of the obese patient.
Special equipment such as beds, wheelchairs, scales, chairs, radiology
equipment, etc. is available for use by our patients. Staff in each
clinical area is certified through in-house training on how to address the
specific needs of our patients and how to use the equiment patients need
while in our care.
Post-operatively, our bariatric nurse coordinator
regularly follows up with each patient throughout the first post-operative
year. At a minimum, each patient is contacted post-operatively at 2 weeks,
1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year. Patients are encouraged
to call the bariatric nurse coordinator whenever they have
a question or need support. She is accessible to these patients
via email, telephone, or by appointment at the hospital.
In addition, St. John's
Medical Center is affiliated with Bariatric Support Center International
(BSCI). As part of our "bariatric package", we include a 1-year membership
in BSCI which entitles our patients to a weath of support and educational
material. Details are outlined in a copy of a cover letter each
patient receives from the President of BCSI upon enrollment.
We strongly encourage
and support our patients to create a wellness program that will become a
way of life for them as they begin to lose weight. Follow-up visits with
our dietitian, and a personal trainer are encouraged as well as methods of
managing stress. All these services are available at the
hospital through the SJMC Health Institute.
Gastric Bypass - Roux-en-Y
Gastric Bypass - bariatric surgery or gastrointestinal surgery, is an
operation that reduces the size of a persons stomach to restrict food
intake. It does not interfere with the normal digestive process. In surgery,
a small pouch is created at the top of the stomach where food enters from
the esophagus. Initially, the pouch holds about one ounce of food and
later expands to hold about 2 or 3 ounces. The lower outlet of the pouch
is restricted to about 3/4 of an inch, to delay the emptying of food and
causes a feeling of fullness.
Lap Band® Surgery
The LAP-BAND®
System is an adjustable gastric band designed to help you lose excess body
weight, improve weight-related health conditions and enhance quality of
life. It reduces the stomach capacity and restricts the amount of food
that can be consumed at one time. The LAP-BAND® System procedure does not
require stomach cutting and stapling or gastrointestinal re-routing to
bypass normal digestion. The LAP-BAND® System is the only adjustable and
reversible weight-loss surgery available in the United States and the only
weight-loss surgery approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration
(FDA).
What
are some of the concerns with Gastric Bypass Surgery?
After surgery, you will
have to modify your diet to accomodate your new stomach and remain
healthy. You must eat a high-protein, complex carbohydrate low fat diet,
chew well, eat slowly and stay well hydrated - always. You will only be
able to eat very small amounts of food at each meal. You will have to take
vitamins, B12, calcium and an acid-blocking medicine every day after
surgery. These life changes may be very difficult for some, and must be
carefully considered when making the decision to have Gastric Bypass
Surgery.
What
is the success rate of Gastric Bypass Surgery?
The success rate of bariatric
surgery is very high. More than 80% of patients lose to within 10% of
their desired weight. Most of the weight loss is in the first year, with
potential additional weight loss until the 18th month. Most patients
experience a transformation of their personality, life-style and job
performance. Most medical problems caused by obesity either disappear or
are greatly minimized.
Why
have Gastric Bypass Surgery in Jackson Hole?
Jackson Hole is a beautiful
mountain community that offers privacy and a serene environment in which
to begin your journey to losing weight. In addition, our surgical staff
offers a wealth of experience along with personal evaluation and
management. We will work with your insurance company, and have a 98%
success rate of obtaining prior authorization from your insurance company,
and transfer of your completed pre-authorization possible.
Our Surgeon
Dr. James
Balliro
Dr. Balliro is Board Certified by the American Board
of Surgery. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a member
of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery. He has performed over 2,500
bariatric surgeries including over 500 laparoscopic procedures. He hails
from Boston, Massachusetts, and received his Doctor of Medicine from the
University of Massachusetts Medical School in 1978. After 6 years at the
University of Florida training in general and periperal vascular surgery,
he began a private practice in Tallahassee, FL in 1984. He has recently
joined Jackson Hole Surgery and now spends much of his time in this locale.
Dr. Balliro manages a comprehensive program including dietary consultation,
support services, psychological and exercise counseling.
Call
307-739-7380 for more information.
|
