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experience to help take the weight off for Scarless Surgery "Bariatric surgery is about more than losing weight — it is surgical therapy for the disease of obesity and all the complications associated it, such as diabetes, hypertension and sleep apnea." — Jerome Schrapps, MD, Medical Director, CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Bariatric Center If you're struggling with extra pounds — and the chronic health conditions that come with them — bariatric surgery can help you make your weight loss goals a reality. "Twenty-one months later, I'm completely thrilled with my new body," says Daphne Bell, who has lost 102 pounds since undergoing bariatric surgery. "But it's not just about my dress size — having great health and extra energy means I can be more active and share more of this enthusiasm with my family." Bariatric surgery is recommend - ed for people who have not been able to lose weight through diet and exercise and whose body mass index is 35 or higher. The surgery has been proven safe and provides a lasting medical solution for obesity when it is performed by experienced surgeons. CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Bariatric Center is the only accredited Bariatric Center of Excellence in Southeast Texas. In the last seven years, the team has performed more than 700 bariatric procedures, including gastric bypasses, sleeve gastrectomies such as Bell's and lap band surgeries. "Our center is accredited by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, an important distinction for anyone considering bariatric surgery," says Jerome Schrapps, MD, Medical Director at CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Bariatric Center. "And we have the only certified bariatric registered nurse in the region. The team includes a dedicated bariatric dietitian who is available before and after surgery. We also offer a six-month membership to our wellness program, which other facilities don't offer." Wondering if bariatric surgery is right for you? Visit www.christushospital.org/success to read more success stories like Daphne Bell's or learn how to get on the path to success. 5 LiveWell | January/February 2014