In this issue:

How to Refer A Patient for Surgery

• Patient may call 704-347-4144 to register for seminar.  Seminar dates are on the website at www.southeastbariatrics.com
• Referring office can call 704-347-4144 or fax patient information to 704-347-4148 and SEB will contact the patient.
• BMI > 40 or > 35 with obesity- related comorbidities

How to Refer a Patient for Medical Weight Management

• Patient can call 704-347-4144 for an informational packet
• Referring office can call 704-347-4144 or fax patient information to 704-347-4147 and SEB will contact the patient.
• SEB will communicate patient progress with primary care provider.

Did You Know??

• Southeast Bariatrics was designated a Center of Excellence for Bariatric surgery in 2006. This is the highest level of accreditation by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.
• Annie Lee, Exercise Physiologist, is the lead coordinator for the Charlotte Walk from Obesity, a national effort to raise money to fight obesity.  Our site was the second highest fundraiser in the country for 2008 and 2009.
• Heather Mackie, Nutritionist, serves as the Southeast Regional Nutrition Proctor for Allergan Medical and trains other dieticians from around the region on bariatric nutrition.

In the news

Dr Voellinger made medical history in the Southeast United States by performing the first incisionless procedure to decrease the size of the stomach in March 2009. The POSE, Primary Obesity Surgery, Endolumenal is performed through the mouth via an endoscope and is in clinical trials.  Dr Voellinger continues to participate in several clinical trials and research projects.

Important Links

• www.southeastbariatrics.com (home site)
• www.asmbs.org
  (American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery)
  
• www.obesityaction.org (support, advocacy, insurance information)

Newsletter

Southeast Bariatrics Overview

  Dr David Voellinger established Southeast Bariatrics (SEB) in 2005.  He  specializes in weight loss surgeries, including gastric bypass, duodenal switch, laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, vertical sleeve gastrectomy, revisional surgery and incisionless endoscopic surgery. It is the mission of Southeast Bariatrics to provide a compassionate, patient-centered environment that includes comprehensive multi-disciplinary pre-surgical education, quality surgical care, and intensive post-operative patient follow up.  SEB brings together expert clinicians in bariatric surgery, bariatric medicine, nutrition, exercise and behavioral psychology.
   Southeast Bariatrics incorporates both surgical and medical weight management programs. Our patient centered approach provides a treatment plan that is tailored to each patient. Our multidimensional approach includes dietary counseling and education, exercise and metabolic teaching, in addition to lifestyle changes and therapy.  SEB incorporates all of these components in both the surgical and medical weight management programs to support patients for a lifetime of weight maintenance.
     Heather Mackie, Nutritionist , states that her mission is to make meal planning and eating something enjoyable and healthy.  She conducts pre-operative classes, support groups, and individual sessions.  Heather  also incorporates information from metabolic testing in developing specific dietary plans for patients.
     Annie Lee, Exercise Physiologist, guides patients in developing a better understanding of their infinite fitness potential.  Each patient plan is tailored specifically to their abilities.  Annie also  incorporates data from body composition testing into the plan.
     Kendra Moree, Clinical Social Worker, provides a safe environment for patients to discover the power they have to change and remove barriers allowing for long term weight loss success.  Kendra leads general support groups, therapy groups, educational classes, and individual sessions.

Is Bariatric Surgery Safe...

   In a prospective, multicenter (10 sites), observational study of 4776 patients undergoing bariatric surgery between 2005 through 2007, and endpoint of 30 day outcomes were collected. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RNY) was performed in 3412 patients (87.2% laparoscopically) and laparoscopic adjustable gastric band (LAGB) was performed in 1198 patients.  Within the 30 day endpoint, none of the
    LAGB patients had died, 0.2% of the RNY died, and 2.1% of the open RNY patients died.  A history of DVT or PE, diagnosis of sleep apnea, or impaired functional status were associated with outlying outcomes.  The 30 day mortality (0.3%) and rate of major adverse outcomes were low. The long term benefits of bariatric surgery should be considered when reviewing the potential risks of surgery.

Flum, D., Belle, S., King, W., Wahed, A., Berk, P., Chapman, W., Pories, W., Courcoulas, A., et al. (2009). Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery (LABS) Consortium:  Perioperative safety in the Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery.  New England Journal of Medicine,361(5), 445-453.

Introducing The Medical Management Program at Southeast Bariatrics

   The medical management track is designed for patients who:

•    Are interested in pursuing a non-surgical weight loss options
•    Need to lose weight before knee/back surgery, or bariatric surgery, to optimize success
•    Have re-gained weight after previous bariatric surgery
•    Have insurance requirements that must be met prior to bariatric surgery

    Candace Bishop PA-C and Cathy Head, ANP-BC have extensive knowledge in bariatric medicine and protocols utilized are based on the American Society of Bariatric Physicians and the American Board of Bariatric Medicine guidelines.  The initial visit is a comprehensive medical visit including a review of conditions and medications that could be potentially contributing to difficult weight management.  We will review potential medical options and meal replacements as part of the plan.  The plan includes comprehensive lab work, metabolic testing, body composition and coordination with the lifestyle management team.  A large part of the medical visits are focused on helping patients understand the physiology of obesity and the changes necessary to counter these effects.  
      
Call us at 704-347-4144 or fax patient information to 704-347-4148 for patient referral   

The SEB Newsletter will be printed biannually. The newsletter will include SEB updates, research features, literature updates and upcoming events. If you would like to receive an electronic version of this newsletter, please click here