Tri-City Regional Medical Center Bariatric Program

Disclaimer

The information on this web-page is designed to provide a basic understanding of what is involved in a decision whether or not to undergo this type of procedure.

It is not intended to act as a substitute for consultation with a physician but as an introduction to the subject matter and as a basis for discussion. There are many different weight loss procedures currently being performed by doctors at various centers in the Untied States and there are many methods of weight control.

You should discuss with your doctor any questions or concerns you may have regarding weight control before undergoing any treatment.

OBESITY IN THE NEWS

Randy Jackson opens up about gastric bypass surgery and his struggle with type 2 diabetes
1:30 PM PT, Sep 25 2008 - Los Angeles Times

When Randy Jackson called on Tuesday, he was downright ebullient. “Stephanieee!” He exclaimed, although I am fairly certain that four seconds earlier was the first time he had ever heard my name.

Jackson wasn’t pumped about the chance to speak with this reporter, or about wrapping the second season of “America’s Best Dance Crew,” or about the upcoming eighth season of “American Idol.” He was giddy about a lesser known undertaking: his partnership with the Heart of Diabetes campaign.

Jackson’s involvement in this campaign, he explained quickly, is no accident; “I’ve been living with [type 2 diabetes] for many years myself." After being diagnosed with the disease, Jackson made the difficult decision to undergo gastric bypass surgery. “Listen, it was pretty tough,” he said, “because it’s a pretty risky surgery still at its best.” Following surgery, Jackson gave his diet a complete overhaul. “I also had to visit my doctor more than every two years,” he added with a chuckle. (Please click here to download for information on Randy's Heart of Diabetes Campaign. PDF File 1(192 KB) - PDF file 2(280 KB) )

Thanks to gastric bypass, a healthy diet, and more frequent doctor visits, Jackson is finally in control of his type 2 diabetes. “I’ve been working at this for four or five years,” he explained. “I’m pretty good at it now.”

While many celebrities resist discussing health problems in general -- and the still semi-taboo gastric bypass surgery in particular -- Jackson is eager to share his story with fellow diabetics. “It’s better talking to someone who has it,” he said. “It’s like talking to the real skinny person about exercise.”

Jackson’s best advice for the newly diagnosed? “Please, find a computer, go on Iknowdiabetes.org. There’s such a great community.” Jackson is prominently featured on the website, which offers tips and tools for managing type 2 diabetes, along with a slew of inspiring success stories. “I wish I had it before,” Jackson said of the site.

On the Heart of Diabetes website, in an article entitled “Randy’s Story,” Jackson is remarkably frank about his struggle. “It was difficult to change my eating habits because food is emotional for me,” he writes. “I often found comfort in eating food that was unhealthy.”

After some more serious diabetes talk, when the conversation inevitably turned to “American Idol,” the dawg came out to play. “Man, its gonna be hot!” Jackson said of the new season.

When asked what changes we could expect in season eight, Jackson took a long, pensive pause. Then he announced that Simon Cowell, Ryan Seacrest and he would all be wearing powdered wigs during taping. “I’m gonna be Sir Randy,” he announced, “and we’re gonna wear them all the time.”

-- Stephanie Lysaght

Photo credit: Lucian Capellaro

Obesity patient, Sarita Marchbanks and Dr. MAL Fobi feeatured on Women's Entertainmet Television's "Secret Lives of Women"

(Please click the banner to view the featured program.)

INTRODUCTION

mericans have an obsession about dieting. There are countless articles and advertisements for programs and products offering solutions to weight problems.

For severely overweight people, clinically termed as morbidly obese at 75 to 100 pounds or more over ideal weight, diets offer a hollow promise of success

We hear of people talking about losing the same 15 pounds, over and over again. This "lose and gain" cycle is known as the yo-yo syndrome. As difficult as dieting may be for the person needing only to lose 15 pounds, what can this be like for the person needing to lose 75, 100,150 lbs or more?

The severely overweight person faces challenges that a person, at their ideal weight, cannot fathom. Many may be on a starvation diet while friends and relatives scrutinize their eating habits -- convinced that they are sneaking food. Overweight people also face discrimination -- in jobs and social situations; even the clothes they need usually cost more! Many can't enjoy the simple things that most Americans take for granted -- like, going to the movies, riding on a roller coaster, even walking up stairs or tying shoes is a major ordeal.

As a person gains weight it becomes more difficult to move around, the inactivity results in an increased weight gain. It becomes a vicious cycle.

There has been much attention to the recent discovery of the "obesity gene." This coincides with observations by Dr. Fobi that Obesity is a hereditary disease. This can explain how an entire family, except one person, can be overweight, while diet and other lifestyle habits are the same. It is well documented in the literature that:

1. Less than 2% of the Severely Obese population is due to what we call "hormonal imbalance."

2. Less than 2% of the Severely Obese population has what can be classified as morbid obesity due to an eating disorder.

3. While obesity is not a psychological or psychiatric problem, people, who are obese may be more prone to psychological or psychiatric disorders.

And most importantly,

4. Obesity is not a problem of willpower. Obesity is a disease! A person with strong willpower can control it, but the success rates are still less than 2%.

Bariatrics is the branch of medicine that deals with the treatment of obesity. The physicians at the Center for Surgical Treatment of Obesity are Bariatric Surgeons, meaning that the obesity treatment is through surgery, combined with lifestyle changes.

Bariatric Surgery had a strong popular awareness in the 1970's and 1980's when "stomach stapling" was at an all time peak. But the history of bariatric surgery has roots beginning over a hundred years ago when this surgery was prescribed for patients suffering from ulcers. It was discovered that the surgery had a built in side effect; the patients also lost weight! In 1981, the Center for Surgical Treatment of Obesity for the purpose of education, treatment and continuing research on surgery for obesity was opened.

Unfortunately, many people may consider Bariatric Surgery to be a radical approach to combating the problem of Obesity. At this time, in the year 1999, Bariatric Surgery offers the constant long-term control of obesity. Bariatric Surgery isn't for everyone; the overall risk from the surgery is less than that of the problem. Those who do have the surgery, lose weight, and may also lose the symptoms of major medical conditions. These include: high blood pressure, arthritis, diabetes, strokes and heart disease, circulatory problems, sleep apnea, pulmonary problems, etc.

In the 22 years of operation, based on the experience of using various surgical procedures, Dr. Fobi developed a modified gastric bypass, the transected silastic ring gastric bypass with a gastrostomy tube and a gastrostomy site marker. (Popularly known as the Fobi Pouch Gastric Bypass). He has found the Fobi Pouch Gastric Bypass to be most effective for his patients. This procedure has eliminated many of the common fallacies about bariatric surgery, such as "staples bursting" or "stomach stretching" etc. Over 8,000 patients have been treated since the Center opened.