Forum informs patients about bariatric surgery
Forum informs patients about bariatric surgery
All must answer — "is it the right option for me?"
People contemplating weight loss surgery at the Scottsdale (AZ) Bariatric Center are asked to attend a forum on a Sunday afternoon with their spouse and any others that make up their support system to learn about the procedure.
At that time the body mass index of those contemplating surgery is discussed as well as their options for weight loss. For the group of people with a BMI of 35 or greater, conservative medical therapy has been shown to be very ineffective, says Robin Blackstone, MD, FACS, medical director and lead surgeon at the center, which is part of Scottsdale Healthcare.
"At this point in time these patients need to get rid of a lot of weight and their only real option is surgery so they need to think through whether or not gastric banding or gastric bypass is the answer for them personally," says Blackstone.
During the three-hour presentation with a question-and-answer period people learn the risks, reported complications, and the process they will go through at the center. Also, they learn what the outcomes have been of patients that have been operated on at the Scottsdale Bariatric Center.
It is important for people to investigate a bariatric center before having the surgery because experience is key to success. People should know the outcomes as well as the process for surgery at the center, says Blackstone.
The top centers create a community of support for the patient that is a lifetime commitment. Patients go through extensive education before and after the procedure and receive appropriate follow up for the rest of their lives, she explains.
Choosing a good center for surgery does not guarantee patients won't have complications following surgery. However, it does ensure that the depth of the staff members' clinical knowledge and experience will help them get through any problems that occur, says Blackstone.
People contemplating weight loss surgery at the Scottsdale (AZ) Bariatric Center are asked to attend a forum on a Sunday afternoon with their spouse and any others that make up their support system to learn about the procedure.Subscribe Now for Access
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