Our Services

Surgical Services

Center for Surgical Weight Loss

What Makes Our Program Better

We are a full-service hospital with experienced ICU and cardiac specialists, and our weight loss program is the only comprehensive program in this area
that provides each patient with the following:

A nurse coordinator who assists with patients’ physical and emotional needs before, during and after surgery:

• A complete bariatric team of registered dietitians, exercise physiologists and surgeons
  
• Home health services
  
• Bloodless medicine services
  
• Psychiatry
  
• Spiritual care
  
• Support group

You have seen the results on television and maybe even have read an article or two in magazines about the actual procedure. Now it's time to get the facts. While millions of people have found success in weight loss using traditional methods such as proper diet and exercise, many chronically obese patients have found that these methods work only temporarily if at all. For these patients, surgery has become an increasingly common option after trying all methods of weight loss without lasting success.

The gastric bypass surgical procedure (also known as the Gastric Bypass Roux-en-Y procedure) offered at CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital’s Center for Surgical Weight Loss combines the following approaches:

Restrictive—food intake is restricted as the stomach is reduced to approximately the size of a thumb.

Malabsorption—a procedure where certain types of food, such as fat, are not absorbed by the body and pass through the digestive system without being absorbed.

This procedure is considered safe and effective by the American Society for Bariatric Surgery and can be done laparoscopically in our center’s technologically-advanced minimally invasive surgical suite. Patients who have had this procedure lose 60 to 80 percent of their excess weight and keep it off; therefore improving or all together resolving their excess weight and many obesity-related health conditions, such as Type 2 Diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and/or heartburn could possibly be eliminated as a result. However, with the benefits come some risks.

The most significant complications in gastric bypass surgery are DVT (deep venous thrombosis or blood clot) and leakage from the new connections of the stomach pouch and intestines. In some cases, decreased absorption of iron and calcium can result as well as a deficiency to Vitamin B12.

Recovery time varies based on the pre-surgical health and the post-surgical compliance of the individual. Many patients return to work within two weeks and to full activity within six weeks of their procedure depending on the physical condition of the patient.

Now that you have the facts, it’s all up to you. Generally, people who are 100 pounds over their ideal weight or who have a body mass index (BMI) of over 40 may qualify for this surgery. Potential patients should thoroughly discuss these changes with their physician before they make any decision to join this program and have the surgery.

Choose the best. Lose the rest. If you or someone you know would like more info please call, Paula Fortenberry, R.N. Clinical Coordinator 430-5470.

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