Wesley Surgeons Offer New Weight Loss Surgery
1/15/2015
Two surgeons at Wesley Medical Center now offer an additional weight loss surgery for bariatric patients who are seeking to change their lifestyle in 2015.
In addition to the previously offered gastric banding procedure, Dr. Duncan Donald and Dr. Wesley Girod now offer laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, a restrictive surgical weight loss procedure that reduces the size of the stomach, limiting food intake and helping the patient feel full faster.
“We want to help patients start the New Year by achieving their weight-loss goals,” said Donald. “This procedure offers patients a new start and an opportunity to get serious about their health in 2015.”
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, more than 1 in 20 Americans over the age of 20 are morbidly obese, increasing their risk of developing other health conditions like heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer.
“Candidates for this surgery are at risk for many health conditions,” said Girod. “This procedure can be the first step towards decreasing these health risks. We work with our patients, encouraging them before and after their procedure to ensure that they have the healthiest results possible, and helping them achieve long-term health.”
Wesley Medical Center’s bariatric weight loss program is designed to help people improve their quality of life by using surgical intervention for weight reduction, promoting a lifestyle change for long-term health.
To be a candidate for weight-loss surgery, one must:
- Have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or greater or be 100 or more pounds overweight from their ideal body weight.
- If BMI is between 35 and 40, candidate must have at least one significant medical condition such as diabetes, hypertension or sleep apnea.
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Not be drug or alcohol dependent or have at least one year of sobriety.
- Have a personal ongoing commitment to improving their health and lifestyle.
To learn more about Wesley Medical Center’s bariatric weight loss program, contact Bariatric Coordinator, LeeAnn Bookout, at (601) 261-5767.
About Wesley Medical Center
Wesley Medical Center is committed to providing superior care to the Pine Belt and has been recognized for patient safety and top performance on key quality measures. Wesley is the area’s first and only accredited Chest Pain Center and is the only area hospital to be accredited for Heart Failure care. For more information, call (601) 268-8000.
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