Baptist Center for Bariatrics

The Facts about Obesity

Approximately two-thirds of the United States population is overweight or obese. Five to eight percent are morbidly obese, defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of greater than 40, or a BMI of 35 along with serious health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, severe gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), sleep apnea and/or severe degenerative joint disease.

If you are one of these individuals, and you have tried other conventional weight loss methods that have not offered you the permanent solution you seek, you may want to consider weight loss (bariatric) surgery. This highly successful weight loss option is available at the Baptist Center for Bariatrics at Baptist Downtown. Studies show it is the most effective intervention for the treatment of morbid obesity in terms of the amount of weight loss, and the ability to keep it off.

Consider Your Quality of Life

If you are overweight or morbidly obese, your quality of life is probably impacted every day. You may be tired all the time. You may feel like you can't enjoy the fun activities others enjoy. Or you may be suffering from a chronic health condition such as diabetes, high blood pressure or sleep apnea that affect your overall well-being and put you at risk for heart disease and other serious health problems.

Weight loss surgery is a big step, but it could change your life and even potentially cure you of some of these health conditions, extending your life and making it more enjoyable at the same time.

Thinking about Weight Loss Surgery?

When you choose the Baptist Center for Bariatrics, you will have an expert team caring for you. They are led by bariatric surgeon Craig Morgenthal, MD, who trained at bariatric centers of excellence at Emory University in Atlanta and Lutheran Medical Center, an affiliate of State University of New York at Brooklyn. Steven Hodgett, MD, who trained at a bariatric center of excellence at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, recently joined the center.

The Baptist Center for Bariatrics offers three minimally invasive options for weight loss surgery that often have a short recovery period:

• Lap band - The lap band has been FDA approved since 2001, and creates a small pouch at the top of the stomach, thereby restricting calorie intake.
• Laparoscopic gastric bypass - Gastric bypass has been performed for more than 40 years and is the gold standard for weight loss surgery in terms of the amount of weight loss and long-term success. It is restrictive by creating a small gastric pouch, and also bypasses the stomach and a portion of the small intestine.
• Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy - The sleeve gastrectomy is a newer procedure and works by permanently removing 80 percent of the stomach. It also reduces secretion of gastric hormones, such as ghrelin, which reduces appetite.

Are You a Candidate for Weight Loss Surgery?

To find out if you're eligible, and to make sure you are informed about the process and if it's right for you, we invite you to attend a free informational seminar, held at 6 pm on the third Tuesday of each month.

Dates	Location	RSVP
October 20, 2009 November 17, 2009 December 15, 2009	Baptist Medical Center 800 Prudential Drive Doctors' Dining Room, Tower, 8th Floor Jacksonville, FL 32207 6 PM	Call 202.SLIM (7546) to reserve your space.

Part of the Baptist Health Circle of Care

The Baptist Center for Bariatrics is more than a surgical weight loss program. Because we are part of Baptist Health, the program offers a wide variety of services for those who are preparing for weight loss surgery surgery.

Dr. Morgenthal, Dr. Hodgett and their team work closely with your primary care physician, who plays an integral role in treating obesity and related conditions, both prior to and after weight-loss surgery. You will have available to you all of the resources of Baptist Health, including physician specialists, Outpatient Diabetes and Nutrition Resources, the Wolfson Wellness Center, Baptist Health Sleep Centers, Baptist Behavioral Health and much more.

For More Information

Call 202.SLIM (7546) and sign up for our free informational seminar. A physician referral for the seminar is not necessary.