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Hallmark Health's acclaimed bariatric surgery program at Lawrence Memorial Hospital (LMH) has expanded to help even more patients find weight loss solutions.
The bariatric surgery program is now home to three highly trained surgeons: bariatric surgery director Sheldon Randall, MD; Andras Sandor, MD; and Khaled Yehia, MD.
"Hallmark Health has established an excellent bariatric surgery and support program," said Dr. Sandor. "The system has been tremendous in providing new surgeons the opportunity to use the latest technology and procedures."
In addition to increasing the number of surgeons, the program also now offers laparoscopic gastric bypass, the Lap Band® technique and the Roux-En-Y gastric bypass procedure. Offering more procedures helps patients choose the procedure best suited for their individual health and lifestyle needs.
Personalized care ensures best results
To improve care for bariatric patients, the program also employs a comprehensive team that includes specially trained nurses, psychologists, dietitians and respiratory therapists. Specialty training enables these professionals to handle behavior modifications, psychiatric issues, and post-surgical care. Patients also have access to support group meetings before and after their procedures. Medical professionals are always on hand at these gatherings to ensure optimal outcomes.
The results speak for themselves, says Dr. Randall. He reports that 65 percent of his patients were able to stop taking their blood pressure medications entirely, and 100 percent resolved their weight-related sleep apnea.
"The permanent weight-loss patients experience changes not only the length of life, but the quality of life," said Dr. Randall.
Top doctors
Hallmark Health System bariatric surgery director Sheldon Randall, MD, was recognized in March by the Massachusetts Healthcare Quality Initiative as the physician who performed most bariatric surgeries in the state. Dr. Randall's expertise and dedication to patients' overall care contribute greatly to his successful outcomes and patient safety record.
For more information
For more information or to find a bariatric surgeon, call 1-800-540-9191.
Roux-En-Y
During the procedure, a small section of the stomach is stapled off, creating a new, much smaller stomach. A portion of the lower small intestine is attached to the new stomach, and then connected back to the existing intestine.
The Roux-En-Y procedure offers
- faster weight loss
- inpatient surgery
- more lasting technique
- less frequent dietary follow-up initially
- help for those with severe gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), problems with esophagus function, or those with prior surgery on the stomach itself
Roux-En-Y also can be performed laparoscopically, which offers dramatic weight loss and typically a two- or three-day hospital stay.
Lap-Band
The Lap-Band is an inflatable silicone band with an attached access port that allows the surgeon to adjust the band's tension. The band is placed around the top part of the stomach to divide the stomach into two portions: one small and one large. Eating even small amounts fills the small pouch and creates a sensation of fullness.
The Lap-Band procedure includes the following aspects:
- A less-invasive surgery option
- Requires overnight hospitalization
- Slower initial weight loss (however, overall weight loss is comparable between the two procedures)
- Adjustable and reversible
- It requires more follow-up and dietary compliance
Please note: Both procedures can produce poor or adverse results in patients who fail to make dietary adjustments.
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