Severe obesity is associated with conditions such as hypertension, stroke, impaired functioning of the heart and lungs, diabetes, gallstones, sleep apnea, degenerative arthritis and psychosocial impairments. Surgical treatment is a proven method of achieving long-term weight control by reducing the size of the stomach and reducing caloric intake.

Who Can Benefit?
• Patients with a body mass index (BMI) exceeding 40 who strongly desire substantial weight loss because obesity impairs their quality of life.
• Patients with BMI exceeding 35 with severe medical co-morbidities.

How Are Patients Selected for Surgery?
Patients who are severely obese, well informed, motivated and have acceptable operative risks are surgical candidates. The patient must be willing to participate in treatment and long-term followup.

Prior to the operation, each patient is evaluated by a multi-disciplinary team at United Hospital Center including surgeons, dietitians and psychologists. A financial review is also completed.

What is the Procedure?
Patients undergo an operation called Roux-en-Y that significantly reduces the size of the stomach. Patients are admitted to the surgical unit following surgery and usually remain in the hospital three to four days.

What are the Risks?
As with any surgical procedure, there are risks of infection and other complications. The surgeon will discuss these with each patient in detail during the office visit.

What are the Results?
Weight loss usually reaches a maximum between 18 and 24 months post-operatively. Mean weight loss ranges from 70-80% of the patient’s excess weight.

How Can I Find Out More?
Your best source of information is your physician who can tell you if you might be a candidate for obesity surgery. For more information, call 304-624-2096 or e-mail hemingwayb@uhcwv.org. You may make an appointment with the program coordinator for more detailed information at this time.

For information on the Bariatric Surgery Support Group click here.

Victor V. Villarreal, M.D. Dr. Victor Villarreal, a general surgeon with specialized training in bariatric surgery, has been a member of the United Hospital Center Medical Staff since 1989. Dr. Villarreal received his undergradute degree in chemical engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, Mass., and his medical degree from Harvard Medical School in Boston, Mass. He went on to receive graduate medical education at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Md., and the University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester, Mass.