MDNews - San Antonio

COV ER FE AT UR E through tiny incisions made in the abdominal wall. Minimally invasive weight-loss surgeries, like other mini- mally invasive procedures, may result in less post-operative pain and complica- tions and quicker return to activity. A Preventive Measure Typically, bariatric surger y is sug- gested for patients who have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher, or a BMI of 35 or higher if weight-related health problems are present. Patients must demonstrate many years of weight loss at tempt s for most i n su ra nce companies to cover the surgery, which leads to the perception that bariatric procedures are "last ditch " efforts. However, Dr. Peterson is part of a trend of physicians who recommend weight- loss surgery as a preventive measure, before health problems develop. "In some cases, we perform bariat- ric surgery to address present health problems, but in other cases, it is a preventive procedure, aimed at creating an excellent quality of life that they can enjoy for a long time," Dr. Peterson says. "Our message to referring physicians is, 'Don't wait.' They should not wait until the patient is so sick and his or her quality of life is so poor that we are try- ing to repair the aftermath of obesity. Instead, we should aim for preserving a high quality of life." Often, Dr. Peterson says, patients tell him they wish they had undergone bariatric procedures sooner. "Time is our one limitation," he says. "It is critical not to waste what time we have." Lifetime Relationships A bariatric procedure at CHRISTUS Weight L oss Inst it ute – Westover Hills initiates an ongoing series of partnerships — between the patient and the staff who continue to advise and monitor him or her, and between the bariatric surgeon and the patient's personal physician. Regular support group meetings, as well as sustained follow-up with specialists such as a nutritionist, keep pat ients on t he road towa rd t heir weight-loss goals. At the peer-to-peer level, Dr. Peterson keeps patients' physi- cians advised about what to expect after surgery, and turns to them for updates about patients' health. "I work hard to ensure collegial rela- tionships with providers," he says. "It is important to them to know how their patients are doing with their weight-loss endeavors, and it is critical to me to receive their feedback. We keep that dialogue open to ensure patients receive the best care possible." D r. Pe t e r s o n p e r f o r m s b a r i a t r i c s u r g e r y a t C H R IS T US S a n t a R o s a Hos pital – Westo ve r Hill s. To re f e r a pat ie nt f or a con s ultat ion or f ree seminar, visit www.whyweightSA.org or call 210-438-8446. ■ C H R I S TO P H ER B ROW N : B U I L D I N G A H E A LT H Y F U T U R E OBESE SINCE CHILDHOOD, Christopher Brown, 30, struggled to lose weight. He tried dieting and medical weight loss and visited numerous bariatric surgery clinics. However, he never found a provider he trusted. "Then I attended Dr. Peterson's seminar, and I could tell he was honest," Brown says. "He discussed complications in an upfront manner." Brown made an appointment at CHRISTUS Weight Loss Institute – Westover Hills, and underwent a gastric bypass procedure on December 16. He found the bariatric team and hospital staff extremely warm and informative. Although Brown did not have obesity- related health problems, he weighed 296 pounds before surgery. His weight was affecting another condition, a neuromus- cular disease of the joints. Now, he has lost 110 pounds and feels much better. "It completely changed my lifestyle," he says. "I think about 'activation energy' required to get moving — it's much easier to get up and move now. I can play with my children, ages 2 and 5. They can't get away with things like they could before." 8 | San Antonio MD NEWS ■ M D N E W S . CO M

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