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A PATIENT SUCCESS STORY A 45-YEAR-OLD FEMALE weighing 248 pounds with a BMI of 41 was referred by her primary care physician for evaluation for weight-loss surgery. Having struggled with weight issues since her teenage years, the patient was 98 pounds overweight and was taking insulin for Type 2 diabetes, along with prescription medications for high blood pressure and high cholesterol. She was also being treated for sleep apnea with a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. Physical and psychological evaluations indicated she was a viable candidate for bariatric surgery. Pre-operative education and counseling sessions prepared her for surgery and the lifestyle changes needed for long-term success. Two months later, she underwent a laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. She was discharged to home two days later and returned to her job as a social worker two weeks later. The patient's blood sugars were normal days after surgery without any medication. Three months post-op, after shedding 56 pounds, all of her pre-op co-morbidities were resolved. She was off all medications and the CPAP machine. The patient remarked that bariatric surgery proved to be a "remarkable, life-changing transformation," that it was "one of the best decisions" she'd ever made, and that she was "saving more than $200 a month on prescription medications" no longer needed. She reported feeling energetic and more self-confident. The patient continues to lose weight. She regularly attends group support meetings to stay on track. have not had success with traditional weight-loss strateg ies such a s diet modification, exercise or medication. There is no upper age limit. In fact, last yea r Dr. Ben-Meir presented a retrospective review of 175 patients over the age of 60 on whom he per- formed laparoscopic bariatric surgery and compared their outcomes with those of patients who were under the age of 60. He found no difference in length of stay or complication rates between the two groups and concluded that bariatric surgery is safe in older patients who are screened appropriately. Co-morbidities Resolved Three surgical approaches for quali- fied candidates are offered at the Lake Health Bariatric Surgery Center: lapa- roscopic Roux-en-Y gastric by pass, laparoscopic vertical sleeve gastrectomy a n d l a p a r o s c o p i c a d j u s t a b l e gastric banding. Dr. Ben-Meir views these operations as powerful tools which resolve medical problems associated with being over- weight, including sleep apnea (80 percent remission rate), high blood pressure (about 80 percent remission rate), high cholesterol (over 80 percent remission rate) and Type 2 diabetes (65–85 percent remission rate). Because the effect of weight-loss surger y on diabetes is so great, many patients have normal blood sugar levels within hours after surgery. "The stomach serves as an endocrine orga n," he ex pla ins. "A ltering t he stomach seems to elicit changes in the h o r m o n e s t h a t c a u s e i n s u l i n t o be released." Free educational seminars led by Dr. Ben-Meir are offered three to four times a month on Monday evenings at various locations throughout Northeast Ohio. A modified version of the seminar i s a l s o a v a i l a ble on l i ne a t l a k e - health.org/bariatric. Physicians with patients who prefer to receive informa- tion and have their questions answered one-on-one can also arrange an office visit with Dr. Ben-Meir. "Weight-loss surgery is life-changing and potentially lifesaving. It restores patients' health in such a dramatic way," says Dr. Ben-Meir. "That's why I became a doctor. That's why I became a bariatric surgeon." To learn more about bariatric services a t L a k e He a l t h a n d i t s u p c o m i n g e d u c a t i o n a l s e m i n a r s , v i s i t lakehealth.org/bariatric or call the Best of Health Line at 800-454-9800. To refer a patient to Dr. Ben-Meir, call 440-602-6737. ■ support groups, and a lifelong follow- up plan. "There are two very important and distinct things that are necessary for patients to have success with bariatric surgery: surgical excellence and life- long support," says Dr. Ben-Meir, "and we created a program that has both." It starts with Dr. Ben-Meir and his surgical team. All are dedicated to, and have undergone special training in, bariatric surgery. "There are no variables in the OR. Everyone there is part of my weight-loss surgery team," he says. "The same is true of the nurses in our bariatric unit. All have additional training and are dedicated to taking care of bariatric surgery patients." A medical team, headed by a specially trained internist, evaluates all weight- loss patients before they come to the hospital for surgery and manages any medical problems they may have while in the hospital recovering from surgery. In addition, psychologists, dietitians a nd exercise physiologists prov ide ongoing education a nd suppor t to prepare patients for success and keep them on track. Candidates for surgery are those over the age of 21 who are approximately 100 pounds or more over weight and 2 0 1 4 M AY/J U N E ■ M D N E W S . CO M ■ MD NEWS Cleveland/Akron/Canton | 9