New Options for Weight Maintenance.Allied Surgical uses the latest technology to help our patients maintain their ideal weight.
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Laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery creates a very small stomach pouch and the food that you eat bypasses a segment of your small intestine. The operation was traditionally performed with a large incision on the abdominal wall which was very painful and resulted in longer recovery times and an increase in post operative complications.
The surgeons at Allied Surgical Weight Loss Program perform the operation using five small incisions and minimally invasive techniques. This allows you to leave the hospital and return to normal activities sooner.
Can I Have Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass Surgery?
Not all people who are over weight are candidates for surgery. First you must be diagnosed as being Morbidly Obese. Obesity is measured by a formula called Body Mass Index (BMI). BMI creates a number based on a persons weight and height. If your BMI is greater than 40 or greater than 35 and you have other health problems you meet the medical requirements for Morbid Obesity. BMI formula BMI=(weight in pounds ¸ height in inches ¸ height in inches) x 703). Example (200 lbs ¸ 63 inches ¸ 63 inches) x 703 = 35.4
The next step to being able to have surgery involves the evaluation by the surgeon. The process evaluates the need for cardiac clearance, sleep apnea treatment and nutritional counseling.
How can I be sure that I will keep the weight off?
Gastric Bypass surgery has an 85-90% success rate. This means that you will keep off at least half of your excess weight for your entire life. Compare this number to 1-2% for dieting and you will realize the great success of surgery. This success requires that you make a life long commitment to work with your surgeon and the medical team to continue to eat healthy and stay active.
What concerns should I have about Surgery?
Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass Surgery like any other procedure has significant risks. Specific to this surgery are:
Doctors McLean and Ward have developed an operation that minimizes the most serious complication of leakage of the bowel causing infection within the abdominal cavity. At the end of every surgery the surgeon performs an endoscopy of the stomach pouch. This means that the surgeon looks at the connection between the stomach pouch and the small bowel to make sure there is no leakage, no bleeding and an opening that is a proper size.
I Want to Have Surgery. What do I do next?
The first thing that you can do is to start eating healthy. It is important not to gain more weight prior to surgery. You can contact your primary care doctor and make sure that your health is in the best possible condition prior to surgery.
Next you should attend a free informational meeting at Morristown Memorial Hospital or Somerset Medical Center. Call Morristown Bariatric Center, 973-971-7165 or Somerset Bariatric Center, 908-685-2200 ext. 3167 for more information.
After you call our office to make an appointment, you must complete some required documentation. In order to aid in the insurance approval process it is vital that you answer the questions completely. Your medical records and diet history needs to be accurate and detailed to make your insurance approval a quick and smooth process.
What do I expect after my surgery?
Your hospital stay will be 2 to 3 days. The first day after surgery you are able to drink liquids. When you leave the hospital your diet will consist of soft food and plenty of liquids. You will see the surgeon one week after surgery. At this appointment you will discuss how to progress with your diet and activity. Your post operative visits will continue at one month, three months, six months and yearly. Blood work will be checked at three, six and 12 months and yearly after this point.
If at any time during your post operative period you have questions or concerns doctors McLean and Ward and their support staff will always be available 24 hours/ 365 days per year.
What are some long term concerns I should be aware of?
The most important issues concerns the need for vitamin and protein supplementation. This is a life long commitment and serious side effects can occur if you don't continue to follow the surgeon's recommendations.
Since you have had bowel surgery the possibility of small bowel obstruction exists for your entire life. If you should have abdominal pain that is new, unusual, or moderate, call your surgeon immediately. It may be nothing but your surgeon wants to know about any changes with your health.
Where can I find more information about Gastric Bypass Surgery?
For more information about Gastric Bypass Surgery you can:
261 James Street 
Suite 2G Morristown, New Jersey 07960
phone: 973-267-6400 fax: 973-267-7295
