The Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) has accredited Norton Women’s & Children’s Hospital, increasing the likelihood that patients’ insurance will cover weight loss surgery. While many factors play into an insurer’s decision, having the procedure at an accredited program and facility is a common requirement. Refer a patient To refer a patient…
Physicians understand the importance of continuing medical education (CME), because it keeps them abreast of new developments in their specialties. CME also can fill in the gaps of a traditional medical school education. That’s one of the reasons Meredith C. Sweeney, M.D., bariatric surgeon with Norton Surgical Specialists, attends conferences and seminars to further her…
Obesity affects approximately 70 million Americans. Kentucky consistently ranks in the top 10 states for obesity. According to Kentucky Health Facts, 32% of adults in Jefferson County are classified as obese. Yet physicians may be reluctant to discuss weight with patients. What is obesity? Obesity is a complex metabolic condition that is the result of…
Recommendations issued earlier this year by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) urge health care providers to guide pregnant patients with effective counseling to help them maintain a healthy weight and prevent excess weight gain. Gaining too much weight during pregnancy can lead to a higher risk of gestational diabetes, cesarean deliveries and high-birth-weight…
How long will you have to stay in the hospital after weight loss surgery? The average is two to five days, but a Louisville physician is getting most patients home the day after bariatric surgery. There are several types of weight loss surgery. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) restricts a patient’s stomach capacity and limits the…
Norton Healthcare’s bariatric surgeons offer follow-up care to patients whose surgeons are no longer practicing, who are unhappy with their current situation or whose insurance has changed. We routinely see patients who have undergone gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy or lap band surgeries elsewhere. We will see almost every transfer. Patients who want to follow up…
In addition to substantial weight loss, studies have shown patients who undergo bariatric surgery experience a long-lasting and significantly better quality of life. With or without bariatric surgery, there are a lot of social factors affected by weight loss. They can be simple things such as being able to buy clothes off the rack or…
Norton Health & Wellness Center offers an individualized, 12-week program for overweight and obese patients looking to lose weight and improve their health. Patients enrolled in the 12-week program give a comprehensive medical history, have their body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage and waistline measured, and have screening lab work done. During the program,…
Because we’re accustomed to operating on obese patients, surgeons with Norton Weight Management Services are uniquely situated to perform general abdominal surgery on these patients, including gallbladder removal, repairing hiatal or abdominal wall hernias, colon resections and lipoma removal. We get pigeonholed as bariatric surgeons, but Jeff W. Allen, M.D., and I both continue to…
Patients who are overweight or obese potentially can benefit from a medication approved for long-term weight management. Five new drugs have been approved since 2012, giving weight management physicians a lot more tools in the toolbox to help treat obesity. Prior to 2012, we didn’t have as much to offer. These weight loss medications are…
By Jeff W. Allen, M.D. Weight loss surgery is moving toward nonsurgical interventions, particularly endoscopy. Already, Norton Healthcare bariatric surgeons are using intragastric balloon procedures. A silicone balloon is put into the stomach endoscopically. The balloon is then blown up with saline, giving the patient a feeling of fullness all the time. Monthly follow-ups are…
By Jennifer Kyser, R.D., CSOWM, L.D. Patients receive extensive counseling on diet and behavioral issues at Norton Weight Management Services before and after bariatric surgery to maximize their chance for a successful outcome. Prior to surgery, all patients undergo a detailed readiness assessment. They see a nurse, a licensed clinical social worker and a dietitian,…