For individuals grappling with obesity and its related health challenges, sustainable weight loss can feel like an insurmountable obstacle. Beebe Healthcare offers a comprehensive approach to weight loss through its advanced bariatric surgery program, providing a potential pathway to a healthier and more fulfilling life. The Beebe Center for Weight Loss Surgery partners with patients on their weight loss journey, offering advanced medical weight loss procedures, such as gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy (gastric sleeve).
Understanding Obesity and its Impact
Obesity is a complex disease involving an excessive amount of body fat. It is diagnosed by a healthcare provider and is classified as having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater. Nearly 40 percent of Americans have obesity. There are many reasons why some people have difficulty avoiding obesity. Usually, obesity results from a combination of inherited factors, hormonal imbalances, combined with the environment and personal diet and exercise choices. Obesity is a disease and worldwide health concern caused by many factors, not just diet. Obesity is not due to a lack of willpower. It is a condition that can be treated and managed.
Obesity isn't just a cosmetic concern. Several health conditions are associated with obesity, such as cancer, diabetes, gallbladder disease, heart disease, depression, stroke, and more. These conditions often lead to a decreased quality of health and life for those affected. Those who struggle with obesity may experience depression due to poor body image. If one is not able to participate in activities they enjoy due to physical limitations, this can have a profound effect on mood.
Is Bariatric Surgery Right for You?
Adults who have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or higher are candidates for weight loss surgery. Bariatric surgery is recommended for those with a BMI of 40 or higher, or for those who have a BMI of 35 with other health issues such as diabetes or high blood pressure. It is for those who have 100 or more pounds to lose. Those with a BMI of 35 or higher who also have additional health concerns such as diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, or heart disease, are also candidates for weight loss surgery. When a patient has a BMI> 35, their chances of reaching a normal body weight for a lasting period of time is less than 1%. That’s why surgery is an option for patients with severe obesity.
If you are struggling with making the lifestyle changes necessary to succeed at losing weight, bariatric surgery may be an option for you. If you have struggled with obesity and have been unable to lose weight on your own, you may be a candidate for bariatric surgery.
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The Beebe Approach: Minimally Invasive Procedures
Beebe specializes in advanced medical weight loss procedures, such as gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy (gastric sleeve). Dr. Waked and his team specialize in minimally invasive weight loss procedures, which typically include less recovery time and fewer complications. All of the procedures done for medical weight loss at Beebe use small half-inch incisions, which means less pain and a faster recovery for our patients. Smaller incisions reduce risk of infection and other surgical complications.
Most surgeries are performed with half inch incisions (Laparoscopically or robotically) which results in less pain and faster recovery. Patients spend 1-2 nights in the hospital and may return to work within 1-2 weeks. Some patients may be able to go home the same day of the surgery. Most patients go home after about one night in the hospital.
Types of Bariatric Surgery Offered at Beebe
Beebe Healthcare offers several types of bariatric surgery, each with its own unique approach to weight loss:
Gastric Sleeve (Sleeve Gastrectomy): Sleeve gastrectomy or gastric sleeve surgery reduces the size of the stomach by 80%. In this procedure, part of the stomach is removed to make it smaller and reduce your meal size. The part that is removed contains hormones that make you hungry. Consequently, after surgery, most patients have appetite suppression. In addition to limiting the amount of food you are able to eat, the sleeve also offers excellent appetite suppression. This surgery takes approximately 30-45 minutes, and is typically a simpler procedure than some other forms of weight loss surgery.
Gastric Bypass (Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass): Gastric bypass surgery reduces the size of the stomach and reroutes the intestines to change the digestive track. In gastric bypass (Roux-en-Y gastric bypass), the surgeon creates a small pouch at the top of your stomach. The small intestine is then rerouted to decrease the amount of calories you can absorb. Gastric bypass assists with weight loss by limiting food intake and reducing calories that are absorbed after eating.
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Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch: This procedure begins with the surgeon performing a sleeve gastrectomy and then rerouting the small bowel to decrease the amount of calories absorbed. This procedure is typically offered to patients with BMI of 50 or more.
You will discuss these procedures in further detail during your consultation and determine with your surgeon which procedure is best for you.
The Benefits of Bariatric Surgery
Bariatric surgery offers a powerful tool for those who need to lose a large amount of weight in order to improve their health. Weight loss surgery can produce sustainable weight loss because it reduces how much a person can eat. Surgery doesn’t just improve physical health. Losing weight after surgery can help individuals feel more energetic and can even provide relief from depression.
Weight loss surgery does not just treat the disease of obesity, but it treats other conditions like diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, arthritis, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, and acid reflux. Weight loss surgery, causes changes in appetite, satiety (feeling full), and metabolism (how the body burns calories). Many of the hormonal signals that cause weight gain or inability to lose weight are affected by these procedures, and it becomes easier to lose weight. The significant and rapid weight loss after surgery can lead to changes in hormones and lead to even more weight loss. When patients start to lose weight after surgery, they also feel more energetic, less pain, and more enthusiasm for doing things they have not done in years.
The Beebe Team: Expertise and Compassionate Care
The Beebe Center for Weight Loss Surgery is staffed by a team of experienced professionals dedicated to providing comprehensive and compassionate care:
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Dr. Waked, MD, FACS, FASMBS: Dr. Waked is a board certified general surgeon, specializing in advanced bariatric surgery. He completed his residency in general surgery at INOVA Fairfax Hospital in Virginia. Following his training in general surgery, Dr. Waked joined the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota where he completed a fellowship in minimally invasive and bariatric surgery. Dr. Waked has performed more than 2,000 successful bariatric surgeries during his career and he is an expert in sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass and biliary-pancreatic diversion with duodenal switch procedures. He also performs revisional surgeries for sleeves and bypass as well as general surgery such minimally invasive colon surgery, hernia surgery, gallbladder surgery and anti-reflux surgery.
Kimberly Hyatt, MPH, RD, LDN: Kimberly Hyatt is a registered dietitian specializing in obesity medicine. She is a graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where she concurrently completed a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics and Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She graduated with her Master of Public Health from University of Massachusetts at Amherst in 2021. She transitioned from an acute care hospital to bariatric medicine in 2016 when she began working with Dr. Waked. She is currently the program manager and registered dietitian for Beebe Center for Weight Loss Surgery. Kim is responsible for maintaining the facility accreditation through the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP). Kim guides bariatric patients through their pre and post-operative period, which includes classes, support groups, and addressing any questions or concerns that patients may have along their journey. She has a passion for teaching and behavioral modification leading to sustainable healthful habits. She believes a collaborative approach to care produces the most successful patient, which includes a strong surgical team, a well-defined program, and a committed patient. Kim values the connection that she makes with each patient and uses every appointment as an opportunity for learning and growth.
A Commitment to a New Lifestyle
Bariatric surgery is a commitment to a new lifestyle. It is not the easy way out. Patients interested in bariatric surgery are committing to a new and healthier lifestyle. Successful weight loss and improvements in your health can be achieved through participation in our bariatric surgery program. Having surgery, making improvements in your food choices, starting an exercise program and receiving support are the key components to losing weight and keeping it off.
Each patient must complete a pre-surgery program, which includes diet, exercise, and regular office visits. If you decide to have weight loss surgery at Beebe, you will have your pre- and post-surgery appointments in our Georgetown office before and after surgery.
Taking the Next Step
If you are ready to take the next step, talk to your physician about whether you may be a candidate for bariatric surgery. Contact Beebe's medical weight loss team for more information or to request an appointment. Want to learn more? Our free seminars are the best way to learn about surgical options for weight loss.
Beebe’s Center for Weight Loss Surgery is located at the Georgetown Health Campus on Biden Avenue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about bariatric surgery at Beebe Healthcare.
There are many ways to pay for bariatric surgery.