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Post-Bariatric Surgery Guidance Provided by Expert Task Force
A task force from the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA has provided additional guidelines for care of post-bariatric surgery patients as it relates to nutritional and endocrine management. Among the group's recommendations, a patient should be monitored by a multidisciplinary team of providers, including a primary care physician, endocrinologist or gastroenterologist, and should receive nutritional education and clinical management.
>> Learn more
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SURGERY SPOTLIGHT
Reserved for patients with serious weight-related issues, the duodenal switch is a complex surgical option involving the removal of a large portion of the stomach.
- During the procedure, a segment of the small intestine is divided and rearranged.
- Most (85%) of the stomach is permanently removed.
- A major advantage of this procedure is that the pylorus remains intact.
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ASK THE SURGEON
Why do I have to take supplements for the rest of my life?
Patients who undergo weight loss surgery must take vitamin and protein supplements to make up for the decrease in absorption and/or intake of many essential nutrients from food. Even when the weight stabilizes, the patients are at a balance in which the amount of calories and nutrients retained by the body is smaller than it would normally be. Obesity cannot be cured, but controlled, and therefore these supplements will be important for the rest of the patient's life.
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TWO MAJOR INSURERS NOW COVER LAPAROSCOPIC SLEEVE GASTRECTOMY
National health insurance giants Aetna Inc. and United Healthcare now cover laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, a newer method of bariatric surgery that is becoming increasingly popular as a treatment for morbid obesity.
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WHY CHOOSE ST. FRANCIS HOSPITAL?
The most recognized program in the state
The surgeons operating at St. Francis have performed thousands of successful weight loss surgeries, more than any other hospital in the state. Offering the full range of surgical options, the program at St. Francis Hospital is recognized by one of the country's top surgical organizations, the American
Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.
If you or someone you know is struggling with weight, we can help. The Center for Weight Management at St. Francis Hospital provides surgical and non-surgical solutions to help people live better, longer lives.
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Total weight loss: 119 pounds
"I thought I was going to die. I believe surgery saved my life."
At 5 ft. 9 in. and 307 lbs., Ben suffered from severe diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and was on his way to congestive heart failure. Ben underwent distal gastric bypass surgery in September of 2008. Following surgery, Ben says "the weight just kept coming off. You lose the weight, but you never get rid of the reasons you eat. You have to make conscious choices all the time."
Today, Ben no longer needs his insulin and many other medications, but keeps the bottles around as a reminder of how far he's come. He is now retired, and has begun to plan a dream trip to Europe with his wife. "I always wanted to go, but I knew it wouldn't be possible when I was so heavy. Now, if I want to go someplace, I go," he said simply. "Before, I would have never thought to travel."
Ki H. Oh, MD, F.A.C.S.
St. Francis Weight Loss Surgery Clinic
200 S. 333rd St., Suite 150
Federal Way, WA 98003
253-275-6030
Thomas J. Hirai, MD
St. Francis Weight Loss Surgery Clinic
200 S. 333rd St., Suite 150
Federal Way, WA 98003
253-275-6030
St. Francis Center for Weight Management St. Francis Hospital Medical
Office Building, Suite 310
34509 Ninth Avenue South
Federal Way, WA 98003
800-823-6525
nww8mgt@fhshealth.org
www.stfrancisweightforlife.org
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