Beaufort Memorial Hospital | Affiliated with Duke University Health System in heart and cancer

Bariatric Surgery Program

Obesity is a growing national epidemic. From 1976 to 2004, the percent of adults (age 20 – 74 years) in the U.S. who were obese (BMI>30) more than doubled, from 15 to 32.9 percent.

The most common complications of obesity include adult onset diabetes (Type II), high blood pressure, arthritis, asthma, sleep apnea, urinary incontinence and acid reflux. Significant weight loss can help these conditions or make them go away completely. However, very frequently the usual weight loss methods such as diet, exercise, and diet pills have not worked very well for many severely overweight people.

BMH’s PROGRAM

The Bariatric Surgery Program at BMH is designed to provide a surgical weight loss option to severely overweight adults. Two types of surgery are offered:

  1. Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass
  2. The LAP-BAND System

LAPBAND SURGERY AVAILABLE AT BMH

The LAP-BAND System is the latest addition to surgical weight loss options offered at BMH. It is considered safer and less invasive than gastric bypass. It doesn’t involve stomach cutting, stapling or intestinal re-routing. Using laparoscopic surgical techniques, the device can be placed around the top portion of the patient’s stomach, creating a small pouch. This offers the advantages of reduced pain, shorter hospitalization, and faster recovery. By reducing stomach capacity, the LAP-BAND System can help patients achieve long-term weight loss by creating an earlier feeling of fullness while maintaining a healthy diet. The system is adjustable, which means that the inflatable band can be tightened or loosened, and it can be reversed or removed at any time.

ROUX-EN-Y SURGERY

One of the most successful gastric bypass operations, Roux-en-Y surgery can be done as a laparoscopic procedure, where several small incisions are made, instead of a large one. However, it is more invasive than the LAP-BAND procedure. Your doctor will be the one to help you decide which surgery is best for you.

BARIATRIC SURGERY SPECIALISTS

Neil McDevitt, MD is a Board certified surgeon who has specialized training in bariatric surgical procedures. He works closely with Joyce Vail, RN, BMH program coordinator, to educate people about bariatric surgery, and determine whether it is a viable option for them.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information about our program, call Joyce Vail, RN at (843) 522-5828.