New Year’s Weight Loss Goals

One of the most common New Year’s resolutions is losing weight.  For some, this goal can be accomplished through diet and exercise; however, for others losing weight may require more intensive approaches.

Losing a significant amount of weight can be very challenging, especially for people who are overweight or obese. Weight loss (bariatric surgery) has been proven to be a safe and effective way to overcome this challenge.

Bariatric surgery is performed on the stomach or intestines to reduce food intake or absorption, and induce weight loss. Weight loss surgery can also help those who are at risk of diabetes and hypertension to reduce their chances of developing these or other obesity-related diseases.

If you are interested in surgery, one of the first steps you should take is finding out if you are a good candidate.  Surgery may be appropriate for people who:

  • Have a body mass index  (BMI) over 40
  • Are 100 lbs. over their ideal body weight
  • Are experiencing disabling pain in weight-bearing joints
  • Have a BMI of 35 along with obesity-related disorders such as high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea or degenerative joint disease.
  • Have tried to lose weight through diet and exercise but  have been unsuccessful

Choosing a weight loss surgery provider that is accredited by programs such as the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP®) is highly recommended. This accreditation ensures that your provider follows a high standard of care.

Flushing Hospital’s Bariatric Surgical Center is the first Bariatric Center of Excellence accredited by the MBSAQIP. The center provides care from a multi-disciplinary group of health care practitioners who are compassionate and fully invested in helping you in every step of your weight loss journey.

To learn more about Flushing Hospital’s Bariatric Surgical Center, please call 718-408-6977or 718-670-8908.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Flushing Hospital Recognized As a Bariatric Center of Excellence

Patients seeking surgical treatment for severe obesity and its related conditions now have a high-quality choice for receiving treatment at a nationally accredited program that meets the highest standards for patient safety and quality of care, close to home.

Flushing Hospital Medical Center (FHMC) announced its Bariatric Surgical Center has been accredited as a Comprehensive Center under the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP®), a joint program of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS).  There are only 16 centers that have achieved this accreditation in New York City.

According to Sanjeev Rajpal MD, Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Director at Flushing Hospital, “To earn the prestigious designation, the hospital met essential criteria for staffing, training and facility infrastructure and protocols for care, ensuring its ability to support patients with severe obesity.”  As part of its commitment to quality assurance, Flushing Hospital participates in a national data registry that yields semiannual reports on the quality of its processes and outcomes, identifying opportunities for continuous quality improvement.

The Flushing Hospital Bariatric Surgical Center opened in 2014 and has performed over 200 bariatric [weight loss surgery] procedures with outstanding outcomes.   The center upholds the MBSAQIP standards by offering patients a high quality, multidisciplinary program that includes surgical and non- surgical interventions aimed to improve long-term, weight loss success.

In the United States, around 15.5 million people suffer from severe obesity, according to the National Institutes of Health.  Obesity increases the risks of morbidity and mortality because of the diseases and conditions that are commonly associated with it, such as type II diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. Metabolic and bariatric surgical procedures have proven to be effective in the reduction of comorbid conditions related to severe obesity.

Flushing Hospital offers a variety of weight-loss surgery procedures, based on the specific needs of their patients.  Surgical options including Gastric Bypass, Lap Band, Sleeve Gastrectomy and Gastric Revisions are performed by a highly trained team of surgeons, led by Rajpal, using minimally invasive techniques and in some cases, the aid of the highly advanced da Vinci Robotic Surgical Platform.

The multidisciplinary team at Flushing Hospital’s Bariatric Surgical Center also provides many compassionately delivered services to help patients succeed in every step of their weight loss surgery. The Center offers close physician monitoring, pre and post-surgical psychological evaluations, personalized diet and nutritional counseling as well as ongoing education and support groups.

For more information about the Bariatric Surgery Services at Flushing Hospital or procedures performed by our doctors, please call 718-670-8908

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Is Gastric Bypass Surgery Right For You?

Is being overweight affecting your health and overall quality of life? For several people,the answer is yes. Obesity is a disease that affects more than one-third of people in the United States. It is the second leading cause of preventable death.

The contributing factors that can lead to obesity include metabolic, pre-existing health conditions, eating disorders, environment and genetics.

Overcoming obesity can be difficult. You may have tried several weight loss treatments or methods that include diet and exercise to lose weight, but were unsuccessful. Bariatric (weight loss) surgery is an option that has proven to be effective in producing significant weight loss.

One of the most commonly performed types of bariatric surgery is gastric bypass surgery. The procedure requires a surgeon to divide the stomach into two parts (one small and one large). The surgeon may use staples or vertical banding to create a small pouch from the upper part of the stomach.

The small pouch is then directly attached to the small intestine bypassing the rest of the stomach and the upper part of the small intestine. This limits the amount of food that can be eaten and reduces the fat and calories that can be absorbed. The larger part of the stomach will remain intact to produce digestive juices. This surgery is usually performed laparoscopically.

The benefits of having this procedure may include:
•Accelerated weight loss
•Improvement in quality of life
•Improvement in obesity- related medical conditions such as diabetes, hypertension or high cholesterol

There are several accepted medical criteria that will determine if you are a candidate for surgery. You may be eligible if:
•You have a body mass index (BMI) over 40
•Are 100 lbs. or more over your ideal body weight
•Are experiencing disabling pain in weight-bearing joints
•You have a BMI of 35 along with obesity-related disorders such as high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea or degenerative joint disease.
•Your efforts to lose weight through diet and exercise have been unsuccessful

If you meet these requirements and are considering moving forward with bypass surgery, there a few things you can expect after the procedure:
•You may experience pain at the incision site; however, your medical team will be available to help you in keeping your pain under control.
•There is a possibility that you may experience discomfort from the gas used during laparoscopic surgery.
•You will be asked to walk on the day of your surgery as frequently as possible. This will promote circulation and prevent blood from clotting.
•To prevent possible complications such as pneumonia, you may be asked to take deep breaths and breathe into an instrument called an incentive spirometer and cough frequently.
•You will be given ice chips and water to sip, if these are not rejected by the body, you will be placed on a clear liquid diet. Gradually you will be able to ingest solid foods.
•Prior to discharge, the surgeon, nurse or discharge coordinator will instruct you to follow a specific diet.

When combined with eating a healthy diet and exercise, gastric bypass surgery can offer long-term weight loss success. It is important to keep in mind that each case is unique to the individual and it is suggested that you consult a bariatric surgeon for an assessment.

Flushing Hospital Medical Center offers a unique and multidisciplinary program that involves a complete mind, body and wellness approach to weight loss surgery. For more information about the Bariatric Surgery Services at Flushing Hospital or procedures performed by our doctors, please call 718-670-8908

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.