Obesity is more than just a weight problem; it's a lifestyle, self-esteem, and major health issue. Clinically severe obesity, defined as being at least 100 pounds over ideal body weight, is classified as a serious disease. Weight reduction surgery can improve your quality of life, lessen or eliminate associated diseases like diabetes, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, and high cholesterol. It also positively impacts other areas, like gastroesophageal reflux disease, stress incontinence, cardiac function, infertility, and osteoarthritis. Weight loss surgery might even help you reduce the need for certain medications, putting you back in control of your life. In Knoxville, TN, several options are available for individuals considering bariatric surgery. This article explores those options, including surgical procedures, qualified surgeons, and comprehensive support programs.
Comprehensive Bariatric Programs in Knoxville
University Bariatric Center
University Bariatric Center provides a comprehensive approach to the bariatric surgery process. Bariatric surgery can often benefit morbidly obese people or those with obesity-related illnesses who have been unable to lose weight through other methods.
Parkwest Center for Bariatric Surgery
Parkwest Center for Bariatric Surgery is led by K. Robert Williams, MD, who is board certified in bariatric surgery.
Tennova Center for Surgical Weight Loss at Turkey Creek Medical Center
The Tennova Center for Surgical Weight Loss at Turkey Creek Medical Center has been evaluated and recognized for excellence by several organizations. These accreditations and designations mean Turkey Creek Medical Center's bariatric surgery program has been evaluated for maintaining high standards and its surgeons have access to all the resources necessary for optimal patient care, including skilled and experienced bariatric nurses as well as specialized equipment and accommodations that help provide a safe and comfortable hospital stay. If your weight is keeping you from leading the healthy and active life you've envisioned, they can help. Turkey Creek Medical Center provides the information, education, and support you need-before, during, and after bariatric surgery.
Losing weight can be extremely difficult. And for people who have 100 pounds or more to lose, it can be even more challenging. For some, weight loss surgery may offer a solution where other methods have failed. Turkey Creek Medical Center's bariatric weight loss program is successful because of the team that supports our patients from the first conversation to post-op care.
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Bariatric Surgery Procedures Offered
Several bariatric surgery procedures are available in Knoxville, each with its own advantages and considerations. These include:
Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy)
Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (also known as the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy) involves surgically removing 70-85% of the stomach, creating a small stomach sleeve or tube that is roughly the size and shape of a banana. By limiting the size of the stomach, the amount of food (and calories) you can consume is reduced. In the Sleeve Gastrectomy procedure, also called the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG), 70-80% of the stomach is surgically removed, resulting in a sleeve or banana-shaped tube. The procedure is normally performed laparoscopically using small instruments inserted into tiny incisions in the upper abdomen. By limiting the size of the stomach, the amount of food you can eat is restricted.
The Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy is relatively new as a standalone weight loss surgical procedure. It is the first part of the Biliary Pancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch (BPDDS, DS) operation for the super obese patient (BMI > 50). A staged operation for patients with excessively high surgical risk and BMI is desired.
Outpatient Sleeve Gastrectomy:
Premier Bariatric Surgeon Dr. K. Robert Williams, Jr. offers self-pay, outpatient Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy, TN for appropriate patients. Includes the surgeon, surgery facility, anesthesia, and BLIS insurance coverage for complications. If your insurance doesn’t cover Bariatric Surgery and you are an appropriate candidate, they offer the Sleeve Gastrectomy procedure on an outpatient basis at the Premier Surgery Center. The price starts at $13,000. Patient eligibility depends on whether you meet the health criteria required for a safe outpatient procedure. Not all patients will qualify for same-day surgery.
Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB)
Once the most popular weight loss surgical option, the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) has been performed for over 50 years. After RYGB, a typical patient may expect to lose about 75% of their excess weight and improve their health dramatically. Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass surgery is designed to help reduce the amount of food you eat by decreasing hunger and overall calorie absorption from fat.
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Biliary Pancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch (BPD/DS)
Biliary Pancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch is growing in popularity with surgeons because it is a natural revision option for patients that have had weight regain after Sleeve Gastrectomy. BPD/DS is basically a combination of a “limited” sleeve gastrectomy with a significant small bowel bypass. It is a limited sleeve gastrectomy because, instead of removing 80% of the stomach as with the Sleeve Gastrectomy surgery, only about 50% of the stomach is removed during BPD/DS.
The small bowel bypass is an important component of the surgery because the small bowel is where we absorb our nutrition, such as protein, carbohydrates, and fat, from the food we eat. After BPD/DS, patients can only absorb 60% of the protein and carbohydrates and only 30% of the fat from a meal. If the patient follows the dietary recommendations then the patient may only absorb 1200-1700 calories per day, even if they consume 3000!
The operation is performed laparoscopically, using small instruments and incisions to minimize scarring and recovery time. The BPD/DS is particularly advantageous for the super-obese patient (BMI > 50). With other options, the super-obese often fail to lose the desired weight; however, with the BPD/DS, excess weight loss of 85% is common. It is often referred to as a simpler version of the Biliary Pancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch procedure.
Revision Bariatric Surgery
For a variety of reasons some patients may experience the need for a revision, correction or conversion of their original bariatric operation. Sometimes individuals may benefit from an additional procedure to help them lose weight again or treat specific symptoms.
Bariatric Surgeons in Knoxville, TN
K. Robert Williams, Jr., MD, FACS, FASMBS
K. Robert Williams, Jr., MD, FACS, FASMBS, is the Medical Director of New Life Center for Bariatric Surgery and the Parkwest Center for Bariatric Surgery in Knoxville. He is board certified in bariatric surgery.
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Mariah Beasley, M.D.
Mariah Beasley, M.D., is committed to providing advanced bariatric surgery procedures, personalized care and the tools to achieve long-term weight loss. A native of Alabama, she received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and medical degree from the University of Alabama School of Medicine in Birmingham. Dr. Beasley also completed an internship and residency at the University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine in Knoxville. She is fellowship-trained in minimally invasive surgery/bariatric surgery. She completed her fellowship at Southwestern Center for Minimally Invasive Surgery, UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, TX. Prior to joining Tennova in 2019, Dr. Beasley was affiliated with University Surgeons Associates and was an assistant professor in general surgery at The University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine in Knoxville.
Megan Johnson Lodeiro, M.D.
Megan Johnson Lodeiro, M.D., is committed to providing bariatric surgery procedures, personalized care and the tools to achieve long-term weight loss. She specializes in laparoscopic vertical sleeve gastrectomy, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, revision bariatric surgery and intra gastric balloon. Dr. Lodeiro also performs general surgery including laparoscopic hiatal hernia, ventral and incisional hernia, and laparoscopic and open colon, gallbladder and gastric surgery. Dr. Lodeiro moved to Knoxville after finishing medical school at University of Kentucky. She completed residency at University of Tennessee Medical Center where she trained in general surgery.
Determining Candidacy and Support
Bariatric surgery can often benefit morbidly obese people or those with obesity-related illnesses who have been unable to lose weight through other methods. Turkey Creek Medical Center offers free online seminars to help you determine if you are a candidate for weight loss surgery. You can take the first step in your weight loss surgery journey from the comfort of your own home. To view either online seminar, complete the registration form and log in using a Chrome, FireFox, or Safari browser. Each video is approximately 35 minutes long and includes a quiz.