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Bariatric Surgery

What is Bariatric Surgery?

Bariatric surgery is another term for weight loss surgery.

Intended to facilitate weight loss by altering normal digestive function, bariatric surgery is performed on morbidly obese patients who often have weight-related illnesses. There are several types of bariatric surgery procedures:

• those that restrict food intake (restrictive)
• those that affect absorption of nutrients (malabsorption)
• those that do both (combination)

For more information about bariatric surgery, visit our Health Library.

Bariatric Services

Sisters Hopital Bariatric Photo Album

Synergy Bariatrics currently offers restrictive and combination bariatric surgeries, performed at Sisters Hospital by Dr. Caruana, Dr. James P. Viglianco and Dr. Dang Tuan Pham.

Roux En Y Gastric Bypass

A combination type of bariatric surgery, gastric bypass interrupts the nervous and hormonal stimulation of appetite and seems to affect the use of body fat stores for energy.

In this permanent procedure, the stomach is divided into a golf ball sized pouch, which is re-routed to a subsequent portion of the small intestine. The bypassed portion of the stomach and small intestine remain in place, but never receive food again.

Weight is lost for two reasons: calories are restricted by pouch size and malabsorption of nutrients occurs.

Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding

Commonly referred to as lap band surgery, this restrictive and reversible procedure places a hollow, silicone ring, or band, around the main portion of the stomach.

The band creates a small passageway between the uppermost part and the rest of the stomach, thus restricting the amount of food that be comfortably eaten. The degree of stomach restriction is controlled by the amount of fluid in the band. This is adjusted by injecting fluid via a component called a port that is surgically secured just under the skin of the stomach wall.

One of two devices may be used in restricting the stomach: the LAP-BAND® System or the REALIZE™ Adjustable Gastric Band.

Laparoscopic Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy

Vertical sleeve gastrectomy is a purely restrictive and irreversible procedure in which approximately 85% of the stomach is cut and removed, creating a slim banana or tubular shaped stomach.

Although normal functions of the stomach are preserved, weight is lost because the amount of calories that can be digested is drastically reduced. And patients feel fuller faster because the newly-created tubular shape creates resistance to volumes of food.

Why Catholic Health?

Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence

The bariatric program at Sisters Hospital has earned recognition nationwide:

• Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence

  Sisters of Charity Hospital has been named a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. This designation is awarded to surgeons and programs with a demonstrated track record of favorable outcomes in bariatric surgery.

• HealthGrades Five-Star Rating for Excellence in Bariatric Surgery

  Sisters Hospital has been recognized for the third consecutive year with a five-star rating for clinical excellence in bariatric surgery from HealthGrades, the nation's leading independent healthcare ratings organization. In the Third Annual HealthGrades Bariatric Surgery Trends in American Hospitals Study, Sisters Hospital ranked in the top 10% in the nation for bariatric surgery, which includes gastric bypass and laparoscopic procedures.

• Blue Cross and Blue Shield "Blue Distinction Center for Bariatric Surgery™"

  Blue Distinction Centers for Bariatric Surgery™ provide a full range of bariatric surgery care services, including inpatient care, post-operative care, outpatient follow-up care and patient education.

Nutrition and Wellness Support

Part of the bariatric program, nutrition counseling begins at Synergy Bariatrics and continues at Sisters Hospital.

Each patient undergoing a bariatric procedure meets with Karen A. Stawiasz, a registered nurse and bariatric coordinator at Sisters Hospital. As a medical professional and an associate member of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery, Karen recognizes the unique needs of the bariatric patient.

Under Karen’s guidance, personnel provide prompt responses and make themselves available for patients’ needs and questions. Massages are also available to treat muscle stiffness and pain.

Before their discharge, patients are counseled regarding diet and exercise to encourage weight loss while maintaining optimum health. Information is also provided about wound care, follow-up appointments and special care instructions.

State-of-the-Art Bariatric Wing

The Bariatric Wing at Sisters Hospital is located on 3 West and is designed specifically to accommodate our patients seeking weight loss surgery.

We have 10 designated private rooms for bariatric patients. The rooms are equipped with flat screen TVs, larger chairs, recliners, and beds, as well as private bathrooms to make sure our patients are as comfortable as possible during their stay with us. 

Patient Satisfaction

Our patients are consistently satisfied with the care and service they receive at Sisters of Charity Hospital.

In September 2008, Synergy Bariatrics surveyed 100 patients. Most agreed that:

• The nursing staff was pleasant and caring (93%)
• The hospital staff was attentive (90%)
• The staff answered all of their questions (97%)
• Education prior to surgery prepared them for the experience (97%)
• Education after surgery met their needs (97%)

Coverage for Canadian Patients

Synergy Bariatrics has been named a preferred provider by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) in Canada. Our services will now be covered by OHIP for Ontario patients undergoing bariatric surgery at Sisters Hospital.

More Information

For more information about Catholic Health’s bariatric services, contact HealthConnection at (716) 447-6205 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday - Friday.

Or visit Synergy Bariatrics online at www.synergybariatrics.com.