Doctor’s Office

Medical Tourism and Bariatric Surgery: Why It’s Better to Stay Close to Home

October 18, 2018

Healthcare can be confusing and expensive, and if you’re seeking bariatric surgery, usually there are a number of requirements to complete and “hoops” to jump through before you can have it. As a result, many people look into crossing the border for their weight loss procedure; however, patients should be very cautious about traveling to foreign countries for this type of operation. Once surgery is complete, the real work begins. The recovery period is an important part of achieving the results you are seeking. Healing, overall progress, and bariatric support programs will continue well after you have returned to the US, so checking in with your physician, monitoring your experience, and providing excellent care and treatment become far more difficult from a distance. Furthermore, should you need urgent care, it may be difficult or impossible for you to see your operating physician. It’s also important to remember that patients who are obese often have weight-related medical conditions that make flying and traveling by other means more complicated or unwise. Your health, comfort, and results should remain primary concerns throughout treatment.... Read More

Announcing the Addition of a Monthly Support Group Meeting

October 11, 2017

We understand that many people lead busy lives, and making time for weight loss support groups can be difficult. One of our priorities is to make our meet-ups and informational sessions as accessible and convenient as possible. To this end, we have added an additional monthly group meeting to our roster. You can now learn more about the bariatric surgery process, from start to finish, on the fourth Monday of each month as well as the second Wednesday each month. The times for both meetings are the same: 6:30 PM until 8:00 PM. We hope the addition of this second time slot increases your ability to visit with us. Weight loss is a lifelong commitment, and the more personal and professional support you have the better the chances of succeeding in your goals. Once again, support group meetings will be held: Every Fourth Monday of the Month From 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM Every Second Wednesday of the Month From 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM For more information or to schedule a consultation, please contact our office. We hope to... Read More

Can a Gastric Band Be Removed?

September 6, 2017

Gastric banding can be a very effective way to lose excess weight and enhance your health. That said, in some instances a patient may not lose as much weight as their bariatric surgeon expected or the device may not be right for them in another way. Although complications are rare, they can include band erosion, port infection, band intolerance, or band slippage. These conditions may call for the band to be adjusted, removed, or replaced. Again, complications are unlikely to happen; however, should something merit removal of the gastric band, it can be done. In fact, the band was designed to be completely reversible. The gastric banding procedure can be taken out by removing the device through the same small, laparoscopic incisions used to place it initially. Recovery should be similar to when the band was inserted. Our experienced bariatric team will help you determine if another weight loss technique can optimize your goals, and which approach is ideal for you based on your unique characteristics. Want to learn more about gastric banding or find out if weight loss surgery... Read More

How Often Will My Gastric Band Have to Be Adjusted?

August 10, 2017

Each bariatric procedure works in a unique way to help you lose weight and improve your health. Gastric banding reduces the size of the stomach to limit the number of calories a patient can consume. This is achieved by placing a band around the top portion of the stomach, which is tightened to create a smaller pouch. The band is tightened by adding saline to the balloon located on the inside of the band, which fills up and put pressure on the stomach, making it small in size. Determining how tight or loose the band should be can take several adjustments and is based on factors like your eating habits, level of hunger, and amount of weight loss since the previous visit. Most patients will need to see our experienced bariatric surgeons for adjustments three to five times in the first year after receiving their gastric band. After the first year, twice-yearly visits for fills is standard, although your experience may vary. During your appointments, your surgeon will ask you how often you’re hungry, if you’re snacking, what types... Read More

How Do I Choose the Right Bariatric Surgeon?

July 21, 2017

One of the most important decisions you will make in the bariatric surgery process is selecting the doctor to perform the procedure. There are many well-trained weight loss surgeons in the nation. But in addition to credentials, you also want to find a physician and a practice that listens to your concerns, answers your questions, and makes you feel comfortable about your treatment plan. Weight loss surgery is a lifelong journey, and if you don’t feel comfortable with your surgeon, you may feel less inclined to follow-up with the support programs and routine check-ups, which could reduce your chances for success. Our recommendations for finding a qualified bariatric surgeon are as follows: Ask how much experience the doctor has performing your specific procedure Review the patient resources and comprehensive weight loss support programs the practice offers Check to see if the surgeon is a member of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) Check to see if the surgeon is board certified in general surgery, and if he or she has additional training in the field Ask to... Read More

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