Weight-Loss Surgery Program
Weight Loss Surgery Channel, 26th July 2009
Obese patients have got a powerful tool in their fight for loss-weight – a surgery. Batriatic surgeons highlight, though, the surgery alone does not guarantee success.
The key to the satisfaction is after-surgery support and change of diet and life-style. Dr. Emma Patterson, Medical Director at Oregon Weight Loss Surgery, created a revolutionary post-op program she presented at the 2009 annual meeting in Grapevine.
Dr. Patterson is a very experienced surgeon. She has performed over 1.300 batriatic procedures. She has also trained surgeons around the world, has published journal articles, abstracts and book chapters. Dr. Patterson admits, though, that weight-loss surgery is not the magic tool that cures all obesity-related problems.
“Weight loss and the improvements in health are all about the post-operative support,” says Patterson, “As a surgeon, I do my job in the operating room, but no matter how well I do that, it doesn’t guarantee that the patient is going to lose a lot of weight.”
She also stresses that every patient will have different results. Weight-loss surgery is a very individual procedure.
The key to success is post-operation care about nutrition, fitness and emotional balance. It’s very important that patients have support after the surgery. Each patient should have determined appropriate vitamins and protein intake, also appropriate exercises should be determined so that patients can execute them after the operation.
Also constant follow-ups need to take place, especially in the first year after the surgery. Researches show that patients who are actively involved are more likely to succeed and continue a changed life-style.
“Our band patients come back monthly for the first year for follow up with a surgeon or physician assistant for band adjustments and counseling,” says Patterson. Gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy patients come into the office every 2-3 months during the first year, she says.
Psychological support is extremely important as weight-loss surgery is a difficult matter and patients should not be left alone.
