Surgical Weight Loss Services at OLBH
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Bariatric Surgery. Surgical Weight Loss. Obesity Surgery. Gastric Bypass. Whatever the name, the surgery with the goal resulting in significant weight loss is gaining increasing popularity and attention.
Mark Pack, M.D., a general surgeon, performs the procedure at OLBH. "Patients who are unsuccessful at weight loss attempts often find new hope and inspiration when I explain to them the benefits of surgical weight loss," Pack stated.
OLBH offers the many necessary components to help patients who have surgical weight loss. "There is so much more to the program than just the surgery," Pack said. "This surgery requires permanent lifestyle changes. OLBH offers nutrition specialists to aid patients in preparing for surgery and continue working with them after surgery to effectively maintain weight loss. They also have an outstanding nursing team to care for patients post-surgically and to compassionately manage the patients' care until they are released to go home."
According to the American Society of Bariatric Surgery and the National Institutes of Health, gastric bypass is the current gold standard procedure for weight loss surgery. The OLBH Surgical Weight Loss program includes gastric bypass surgery, specialized nursing care, nutrition counseling, exercise training, behavior modification, and psychological assistance. Gastric bypass has demonstrated successful long-term weight loss with few complications or side effects. It is a relatively safe surgery that is minimally invasive when performed laparoscopically.
"Laparoscopic procedures have been used in a variety of general surgeries," Pack said. "In fact, laparoscopy has become the chief technique in some areas of surgery and has been used for weight loss surgery for years. It is important to note that not all patients are candidates for laparoscopic. If the mini-incision approach is used, patients' incisions are from one-third to one-half the size of traditional surgery incisions."
When a laparoscopic operation is performed, a camera and surgical instruments are inserted into the abdomen through small incisions. The surgeon is then enabled to gain better visualization and access to key anatomy. "Patients who have laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery generally have less pain after surgery resulting in easier breathing and lung function," Pack said. "Other benefits include fewer wound complications, such as infection, and patients can return to usual activities quicker."
Severe obesity is a growing problem in the United States. Individuals, who are more than 100 pounds overweight, are at an increased risk for most major health problems - cardiovascular disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, breathing and sleep problems, arthritis, and some types of cancer. If you feel you may be a candidate for Surgical Weight Loss at OLBH, please call the OLBH CareLine at (606) 833-CARE (2273) for more information.
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