Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric Surgery

Obesity is a major health problem in the United States. Today, more than 1 in every 3 people in the United States is obese. Obese patients are at increased risk of developing illnesses as well as death. Morbidly obese patients have been shown to have a 12 times reduction in life expectancy.

Bariatric surgery is a term derived from the Greek words: "weight" and "treatment." Bariatric surgical procedures are major gastrointestinal operations that (a) seal off most of the stomach to reduce the amount of food one can eat, and (b) rearrange the small intestine to reduce the calories the bodies can absorb. There are several different types of bariatric weight loss surgical procedures, but they are known collectively as 'bariatric surgery'.

Our surgeon, Dr. Timothy Brown, follows the National Institutes of Health (NIH) guidelines--Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or greater or BMI of 35 or greater with co-morbid condition such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or sleep apnea, in determining candidacy for surgery. Calculate your BMI

Lab-Band Procedure

We also offer the Lap-Band as an alternative surgery for weight loss. In fact, St. Thomas More Hospital premiered the procedure the same year it was approved in the United States by the FDA. The Lab-Band is minimally invasive, adjustable and reversible, and is done as outpatient surgery.  Like a wristwatch, the silicone band is fastened around the upper stomach to create a new, tiny stomach pouch.  As a result, patients experience an earlier sensation of fullness and are satisfied with smaller amounts of food.

The band is adjusted at regular intervals to meet individual patient weight loss needs. This can be done in the physician's office. After an initial rapid weight loss, patients will lose approximately 1-2 pounds per week.  Patients must be prepared to make lifestyle changes and maintain those changes, as well as have regular follow-up sessions with their surgeon for the adjustments.  Patients must meet the same National Institutes of Health criteria as for the Gastric Bypass procedure.

We recognize that bariatric surgery is merely a tool. Our patients need to do their part through proper nutrition and exercise. We perform both nutritional and behavioral health education to ensure that each patient is prepared and is aware of the physical, emotional and life style changes that follow bariatric surgery.

Dr. Brown has been performing bariatric surgery for more than 15 years. For more information, he may be reached at Colorado Choice Bariatrics, 719-275-4061.

Contact Us

For more information about the Bariatric Program at St. Thomas More Hospital, please call us at 719-285-2000.