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FAQs
Last updated: 05/16/2007
- Am I a candidate?
- How does it work?
- Tell me about the Center for Surgical Weight Control
- Are there any complications?
- Do I qualify for surgery?
- What steps do I take to be considered for gastric bypass surgery?
Am I a candidate?
You may be a candidate for weight-loss surgery if you meet the following criteria:
- Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or greater (100 pounds or more above "ideal" body weight)
- BMI between 35-40 with significant medical conditions as a direct result of the excess weight: Coronary Artery Disease, Depression, Diabetes, Sleep Apnea, GERD, Degenerative Joint Disease, Hyperlipidemia, Hypertension, Urinary Stress Incontinence
- Failure to lose and maintain weight loss with traditional diet programs
- Absence of any medical condition that would make the risk of surgery outweigh the benefits
- Absence of any psychological or medical condition that would preclude patient compliance to postoperative recommendations
- Determination to make necessary life-style changes and participate in long-term follow-up care
How does it work?
During bariatric surgery, a pouch is closed off from the rest of the stomach, leaving only a small area for food to fill. In gastric bypass surgery, the surgeon also reroutes the small intestine, making a direct connection between the stomach and the lower section of the small intestine, bypassing part of the intestine.
The result is that patients eat less food, because they feel full faster, and they absorb fewer calories.
Tell me about the Center for Surgical Weight Control
All of the procedures offered at the center are available laparoscopically, including gastric bypass, adjustable gastric banding (LAP-BAND), duodenal switch and revisions. The benefits to this technique generally include decreased hospital stay and recovery time, less discomfort and less scarring. The center offers a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary approach that features trained staff and includes the following:
- Informational Lectures
- Psychological Support
- Initial Pre-Screening
- Nutritional Support
- Insurance and Financial Coordination
- Exercise Support
- Pre-Operative Testing
- Monthly Support Groups
The decision to consider weight-loss surgery is one of the most important decisions you may ever make. It will not only impact your life, but the lives of those closest to you. Choosing the right program is equally important. The center?s doctors, nurses, nutritionists and counselors are all specially trained and focused on helping you. For more information, please call the patient liaison, Kim Yates, at (304) 526-6097.
Are there any complications?
The potential for complications is moderately high and there are essential lifestyle changes that the patient must be absolutely committed to making. Some patients need additional surgery to correct complications such as abdominal hernias, and some develop nutritional deficiencies such as anemia and osteoporosis. People who once ate freely must become very attentive to their diets, eat smaller, more nutritious meals and take vitamin and mineral supplements. Eating too much or indulging in rich, sugary or fried foods can overload the sensitive pouch and cause sweats, chills and nausea that result from food filling the pouch and overflowing straight into the small intestine.
Short-Term Risks
- Death. As with any major surgery, death is always a risk. The national figures state that the death rate is between 1 - 2 percent.
- Gastric Leaks
- Infections
- Post-op bleeding
- Post-op pneumonia
- Blood clots
Long-Term Risks
- Bowel Obstruction
- Hernias
- Anemia and Metabolic Deficiencies
- Temporary Hair Loss
- Gall Stones
Do I qualify for surgery?
The procedure is reserved for those who are 100 pounds or more over their normal body weight. The patient has to have exhausted all other methods of weight loss including behavior modification, diets and exercise programs. The ideal patient for this procedure is one who has sincerely tried a number of other methods but was unsuccessful, is severely obese, has complications from obesity and is highly motivated to make the life-long changes this procedure requires.
What steps do I take to be considered for gastric bypass surgery?
- Attend an educational seminar and bariatric support group meetings to gather information on whether this step is right for you. Most insurance companies are now requiring attendance at support group meetings.
- Talk to your primary care physician. Your doctor must provide a letter of support detailing your medical history, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, joint disease, etc., and include his or her progress notes on your past weight loss attempts and your success or failure with each.
- If your health insurance company requires an evaluation from a licensed psychologist (masters' prepared) or psychiatrist, schedule one. This evaluation is to determine your readiness to begin the surgical weight-loss program and must be completed before you are seen by the surgeon who will perform gastric bypass surgery.
- Gather copies of the medical records from any past surgeries or documentation of any health problems that may make your surgery more risky.
- All appropriate cancer screenings must be completed, including colon cancer screenings for all men and women over 50, breast cancer screenings for all women over 40 and pelvic exams and Pap smears for all women within last 12 months.
- Request a packet of information from our Bariatric Surgery Clinical Coordinator. (Contact information is listed below.) This will include a medical history inventory that must be thoroughly completed so that the clinical coordinator and the physician may review it.
- Forward your medical records, screening results, medical history and the physician's letter of support to the Bariatric Surgery Clinical Coordinator.