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For many, losing weight is a losing battle.
That’s why Presence St. Joseph Medical Center, in Joliet, developed a Bariatric Program that treats the individual with a multidisciplinary approach including a bariatric dietitian, nurse navigator, bariatric surgeon and psychologist referrals, all providing a host of supportive measures for patients.
“Our bariatric surgeon Dr. Brian Winkleman is the driving force behind the program,” said nurse navigator Michelle Shaban. “He tailors the program to each patient's needs.”
The hospital offers a patient support group the third Monday of every month and for those contemplating bariatric surgery Dr. Winkleman conducts a free monthly seminar.
“He gives a wonderful overview and the benefits and risks of all the surgeries we do,” Shaban said.
For bariatric surgery a patient must have a body mass index of 40 or greater or between 35 and 40 with a comorbidity like diabetes, hypertension, severe sleep apnea or cardiovascular disease.
Candidates must demonstrate a commitment to long-term follow up care including being motivated, having a clear understanding of the expense of dietary, exercise and medical guidelines that are followed over a lifetime, said Shaban.
Presence offers three different bariatric surgeries, including gastric bypass, gastric sleeve, and gastric banding. The bariatric team determines which surgery is appropriate.
“It takes four to six months to gear up for surgery,” Shaban said. Patients undergo lab pretesting determining nutritional status, then dietary counseling to correct any nutritional deficiencies they might have prior to surgery.”
Weight loss is immediate, and with the gastric bypass often the comorbidities like hypertension and diabetes go away, Shaban said.
“A lot of times the patient’s blood sugar levels will normalize right after surgery,” Shaban said. “They don’t need their insulin or oral medications any longer.”
Register for Presence St. Joseph Medical Center’s free bariatric informational seminar at 877-737-4636.
Presence Saint Joseph Medical Center
333 North Madison St., Joliet, IL
815-725-7133
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