Providence Offers Comprehensive Bariatric Surgery Program

Providence Offers Comprehensive Bariatric Surgery Program for Obese Patients

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A new bariatric surgery program at Providence is now offering hope for seriously obese patients in Central Texas who cannot lose weight by traditional means or who suffer from serious obesity-related health problems. Providence Health Center and Waco Surgical Group have partnered to offer gastric bypass surgery as a lifesaving, life-changing alternative for extremely obese patients.

“The Comprehensive Bariatric Center at Providence was established in response to the community and the needs of our patients,” says Brenda Davis, Vice President of Clinical Services at Providence. “With obesity now the second most common cause of preventable death (tobacco being the first), our purpose is to offer our patients a proven, effective program that truly works,” says Davis.

Obesity is a big problem for 64.5% of American adults who are overweight, and an estimated 6% to 10% who are considered to be morbidly obese. Carrying around such excess weight can lead to hypertension, diabetes, degenerative arthritis, back pain, pulmonary problems, and heart failure. According to The National Institute of Health, morbidly obese patients are those with a body mass index (BMI) above 40 and who are 50-100% or 100 pounds above their ideal body weight. 80% of such patients are typically women between the ages of 25 and 45, often overweight since childhood, and who have tried and failed with typical weight loss programs.

Most non-surgical weight loss programs are based on some combination of diet/behavior modification and regular exercise. “Unfortunately, it is estimated that less than 5% of those individuals who try such programs will lose a significant amount of weight and maintain that loss for a long period of time,” says local surgeon Gayland Sims, M.D., F.A.C.S. of Waco Surgical Group. Dr. Sims and partner Barry Oswalt, M.D., F.A.C.S. are both board certified and trained to perform gastric bypass surgery. Together, they have 36 years of combined experience in abdominal surgery.

Gastric bypass surgery is a proven medical procedure involving surgical reduction of the stomach to restrict food intake. An estimated 100,000 people underwent gastric bypass last year, up from 63,000 in 2002, and 25,800 in 1998, according to the American Society of Bariatric Surgeons. Success is apparently driving the growth.

About 80% of gastric bypass patients maintain weight loss for five years or more. In an article in Annals of Surgery 2000; 232 reported 95% of gastric bypass patients experienced a significant improvement in their quality of life including excess weight loss of 50% or more, improved cholesterol levels, noticeable reduction of chronic pain, a 66% reduction of hypertension, a 95% reduction in diabetes risks or symptoms, and a 90% improvement in heart function.

With its private, dedicated area, nursing staff, and program coordinator, The Comprehensive Bariatric Center at Providence offers more than just an effective weight loss program. “We help our patients shape a new, healthier lifestyle,” says Melissa Green,RN, Bariatric Program Coordinator. “We want to be sensitive to their physical, emotional, and social needs. Bariatric surgery is a life-changing event of which surgery is one tool. Our skilled team of physicians, dietitians, counselors, nurses, and financial counselors provide patients with counseling and orientation classes prior to surgery, along with follow-up appointments, counseling, and support groups in the months following surgery,” says Green.

This is the first program of its kind available in Central Texas. Prior to the opening of The Bariatric Center at Providence, patients had to go as far as North Dallas for the surgery. “We are very excited about the opportunity to address this rapidly growing need in our community,” Melissa Green says. Dr. Sims agrees. “Bariatric surgery is the only known effective treatment of morbid obesity,” says Dr. Sims. “It’s a procedure whose time has come.”

Providence will be hosting seminars on the new bariatric surgery program now available at the hospital. For more information, call program coordinator, Melissa Green at 751-4300.