Bariatric Surgeons
Bariatric Surgeons specialize in performing gastric bypass
surgery. The gastric bypass with roux-en-y anastomosis (GBPRY)
is considered the gold standard for weight loss operations. This
operation modifies the stomach and small intestine to reduce the
amount of food that can be eaten and digested. It provides an
optimum alteration of physiology, combining restriction of
intake of food with a profound early sensation of satiety (a
feeling of fullness). GBPRY has been performed for 30 years
using an open incision technique, but since 1993 laparoscopic
(minimally invasive) approaches have been available, resulting
in vastly improved recovery. Patients who have undergone GBPRY
have maintained an approximate 80 percent reduction of excess
body weight for over 15 years in published studies, making
surgery clearly superior to any medical therapy or diet for long
term weight loss. In addition, most patients achieve either
complete remission or significant improvement in all of the
previously mentioned medical conditions, which accompany morbid
obesity after surgery.
Since you have now decided that weight loss surgery is right
for you, the following guidelines will help you choose a surgeon
who will help you achieve your goals by providing the best
experience, qualifications and aftercare for you. Educate
Yourself
The Web is an excellent place to
obtain information about the
various types of weight loss
surgery. It is helpful to
familiarize yourself with the
different types of surgeries so
that you can compare the risks and
benefits in a logical and
comparative manner.
Find out about Qualifications
Many different types of surgeons
can perform bariatric surgery,
even if they have not received any
specialized training in this area,
so find out about their
credentials, board certifications
and experience. You can ask for
information from the office,
access a physician's Web site, or
request the information via phone.
Your surgeon should be a member of
the American Society for Bariatric
Surgery (ASBS), whose members are
committed to advancing the art and
science of bariatric surgery. The
ASBS Web site (www.asbs.org)
provides a listing of its members.
Risks and Benefits
The surgeon that you choose should
be forthcoming about the risks and
benefits of bariatric surgery, and
respond openly to your questions
and concerns. Also, the surgeon
should talk freely about his/her
own experiences (i.e.,
complication rates such as leaks
and deaths).
A Lifetime Program
Choose a surgeon who is
experienced in bariatric surgery.
Ask questions as to how many
operations the surgeon has done
(open and laparoscopic), and
discuss follow-up care. Bariatric
surgery is a tool to help you
control the disease of morbid
obesity, and it requires lifetime
maintenance and biochemical
surveillance. Find a surgeon who
is committed to the long-term
management and care of their
patients. The bariatric program
should address all aspects of pre-
and post-operative care, and
include a lifetime maintenance
plan.
Are Patients Satisfied?
Talk to the surgeon's
postoperative patients. Are they
satisfied with the care they have
received? Are they comfortable
with the office staff? Do they
feel that they are as important
after the surgery as before? Would
they recommend their surgeon to
family and friends? Patients are a
wealth of information about the
surgeon and his/her practice, and
are also excellent support and
referral sources.
Choosing your Surgeon
You have now educated yourself,
checked credentials and
qualifications, explored the risks
and benefits of surgery and
checked with current patients. Now
you have the information you need
to make an informed decision about
a bariatric surgeon, one who will
meet your needs and help you to
achieve your goals. The results
will help you control your obesity
and change your life.
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