Trinitas Offers Surgical Option For Obese Patients

More than half of the population in the United States is overweight, with one-third classified as obese. Obesity is now considered an epidemic in this country, with obesity in children and adolescents increasing two-fold in the last two decades.

"Morbid obesity is a major public health risk in the United States, and is the second most preventable disease causing death," says surgeon Muhammad Feteiha, MD. "More than 300,000 Americans die every year from morbid obesity, and millions more suffer from obesity-related conditions such as hypertension, cardiac disease, diabetes, stroke, arthritis, hormonal imbalances and some types of cancer."

But now, morbidly obese patients can find help at Trinitas Regional Medical Center. Using bariatric surgical procedures, surgeons seal off most of the stomach to reduce the amount of food patients can eat and rearrange the small intestine to reduce the calories the body can absorb.

The procedure performed at Trinitas, the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RGB), is the most common and successful bariatric surgical procedure. First, a small stomach pouch is created to restrict food intake. Next, a Y-shaped section of the small intestine is attached to the pouch to allow food to bypass the lower stomach, the duodenum (the first segment of the small intestine), and the first portion of the jejunum (the second segment of the small intestine). This bypass reduces the amount of calories and nutrients the body absorbs.

"Most patients who undergo bariatric gastrointestinal surgery lose more than 100 pounds in weight," says Dr. Feteiha. "Some patients reach a normal weight, while others remain overweight, although less overweight than before."

In general, in order to qualify for bariatric surgery you must be 'morbidly obese', which usually means being overweight by 100 pounds for a male and 80 pounds for a female. Alternatively, bariatric surgery may be appropriate for patients below the weight standard if they have a serious obesity-related condition like type 2 diabetes or life-threatening cardio-pulmonary problems such as severe sleep apnea or obesity-related heart disease.

Trinitas Regional Medical Center accommodates obese patients with special adaptive equipment.

"We work to make this experience comfortable for them by offering extra-wide wheelchairs and oversized gowns," says Ginny Wilson, Nurse Manager. "In addition, we have specialty beds available if needed to the accommodate larger-sized patients."

For further information, call 908-994-5585.

 

Losing The Weight: A Personal Story
By November 2003, Kelly Heath had reached the end of the line with diets. After trying them all, she was now facing a lifetime of medical problems due to her excess weight.

"I started gaining weight in eighth grade," remembers Kelly. "By the ninth grade I had reached 145 pounds, and after the birth of my son thirteen years ago, the weight really started to add on. By the end of last year, I was only 36 years old and had reached a high of 265 pounds. I got to the point where I didn't want to diet because I knew I would only gain back what I had lost as well as even more weight."

The excess weight was also causing other problems for Kelly. "I had chronic joint pain in my ankles, feet and back due to the weight, and I was also experiencing very high cholesterol and episodes of high blood pressure. My sugar levels were also too high."

After researching her options, Kelly decided to undergo Gastric Bypass Surgery under the experienced hands of surgeon Muhammad Feteiha, MD.

"I was apprehensive about the surgery, but everything went smoothly," says Kelly. "The nurses and staff at Trinitas were incredible. Although the surgery was painful, I was back home within two days and every day since has been better and better."

Today, Kelly watches what she eats, and tries to stay away from sugar and fats.

"I've already lost 41 pounds," says Kelly, who hopes to lose a total of 135 pounds. "I feel better knowing that I'm on my way to a healthier life for me and my son."

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