The Bariatric Surgery Program at the University of Virginia provides comprehensive care for the patient with severe obesity (twice the ideal body weight or greater) for whom surgical treatment is indicated. Patients who are considering such surgery should meet the following criteria:

• Be motivated to undergo a change in lifestyle and eating habits.
• Be twice the ideal body weight or greater or have a BMI greater than 40.   (BMI calculator at NIH      www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/) 
• Have failed a medically managed weight loss program.
• Have the approval and referral of their primary care physician.
• Have some form of third party insurance that will cover the hospitalization.
• Be willing to work with our multidisciplinary team (listed below)

Patients who meet the criteria will undergo a multidisciplinary team assessment and counseling regarding the risks and benefits of surgery and its implications on eating habits and lifestyle.  Dr. Bruce Schirmer has been performing weight reduction operations since 1985, with well over 1000 patients having had such surgery at the University of Virginia. The operation currently performed for most patients is the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.  Laparoscopic gastric bypass (minimally invasive surgery) is offered to most patients. After this operation, average weight loss is one year is 55-70% of excess weight, and patients maintain over 50% excess weight loss over five years. Maintaining successful weight reduction with diet and regular exercise is mandatory. Many medical problems, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, joint and back problems, sleep apnea and leg ulcers are greatly improved with such weight loss.

A patient support group, "Lighter Life", also exists to provide peer support and information for prospective patients. "Lighter Life Group" meets the second Thursday of every month at 6 pm in the Department of Surgery.

The Bariatric Surgery Group provides a full range of educational opportunities for health care professionals and patients in the surgical treatment of obesity.

Several active patient protocols exist which are open for enrollment for interested patients.

Interested individuals should call 434-924-2104 or 434-924-9954 and ask for a comprehensive information packet and further information or an appointment as needed.

Bariatric booklet

Gastric Bypass Diet

Testimonials

Video

This video has no narration. It basically shows where the incisions are made during gastric bypass surgery and the technique of dividing the stomach and attaching the small intestine to the pouch. The pouch is the size of a small egg. The surgeon measures 100cm to 150cm of the small bowel and divides the intestine at that point. The lower part is connected to the pouch and then the two parts of the small intestine are reattached (stapled). This gives it a Y appearance. You can see the path that food now takes through the intestine. Stomach acid, bile, and other digestive juices are still created and mix with food at the “Y”.

courtesy of U.S. Surgical corporation

Links

More information about weight loss surgery
http://www.weightlosssurgeryinfo.com/dtcf/

BioEnterics® LAP-BAND® System
http://www.allergan.com/products/obesity_intervention/lap-band.htm

Realize® LAP-BAND System
http://www.realizeband.com/

Realize® Lap-Band Financing Program
http://www.nationalcity.com/secure/personal/loans/DEO/johnsonandjohnson.asp

American Society of Bariatric Surgeons
http://www.asbs.org/  

Weight Loss Surgery Discussion groups and information
http://www.obesityhelp.com/