Great Medical Programs – Awarded by Hudson Magazine

Great Medical Programs – Tri State Bariatrics’ Integrated Health Team Provides Compassionate Patient-Centric Care, Pre-Surgery to Aftercare

More than one-third of the American adult population is overweight or obese. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), an increase in 20 percent or more above your ideal body weight constitutes a health risk. Obesity-related health conditions and serious diseases—including diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, metabolic syndrome and other illnesses—result in either significant physical disability or even death. Morbid obesity, defined as being 100 pounds or more over ideal body weight or having a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or higher, is a serious disease and must be treated as such.

If you’ve tried to lose weight, and have been repeatedly unsuccessful, it may be time to consider surgical weight loss and lifestyle modification. Tri State Bariatrics’ integrated team of medically trained weight loss professionals provides compassionate, patient-centered care to help support you as you make the changes needed to achieve a healthier lifestyle.

Pre-Operative Screening and Evaluation

Tri State Bariatrics was established in 2003 for comprehensive management of severe obesity using weight loss surgery. Our multidisciplinary team offers weekly informational seminars at each of our locations (Middletown, Suffern and Fishkill) as well as an online version found on their website. We’ll review your history and you’ll have a complete physical examination with a Nurse Practitioner; a nutritional evaluation and consultation with a Dietitian; a meeting with our insurance specialist to discuss your plan’s coverage; and a meeting with a Patient Navigator who will explain all the pre-operative tests and consultations that are required prior to surgery. Most insurance companies cover weight-loss surgery for severely obese patients and we also offer customized finance programs for those without coverage. Our services include behavioral supports, including peer groups and professional counseling, to strengthen your ability to achieve your weight loss goals.

The process—from First Step Seminar, pre-operative tests and consultations to surgery day—typically takes two to six months. Our team will assist you, every step of the way, so you are fully prepared for the major changes in diet and lifestyle that increase your chances for long-term success.

Exemplary Care and Three Bariatric Surgical Procedures

The staff at Tri State Bariatrics will assist you in determining which of the three types of bariatric surgical procedures is the right one for you. All require significant changes in food choices, portion sizes and eating techniques to achieve success in losing weight.

We offer three surgical procedures—the Sleeve Gastrectomy, the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and the Lap-Band^®.

Sleeve Gastrectomy is a restrictive bariatric surgery that removes a large part of the stomach, reducing it to 2/3 smaller. The stomach will hold about two to three ounces of food, reducing the level of Ghrelin, a hunger-promoting hormone produced in the stomach tissue. Sleeve Gastrectomy takes about 45 minutes and patients are normally discharged the day after surgery.

Gastric Bypass (or Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y) causes both restriction and some malabsorption of food by creating a smaller stomach pouch. With food bypassing a portion of the small intestine, fewer calories and nutrients are absorbed. This procedure takes about 75 minutes, and most patients are discharged on the second post-operative day.

Lap-Band is performed less frequently due to the popularity of the Sleeve Gastrectomy. But for some patients it may provide a safe, effective and reversible surgical tool to reduce physical hunger and provide satiety with small meals. This surgery takes about 30 minutes and most patients are discharged on the same day.

Revisional Surgery: Conversions procedures such as Lap-Band to Sleeve Gastrectomy or Gastric Bypass, or conversion of Sleeve Gastrectomy to Gastric Bypass, revision of Gastric Bypass and in some cases, reversal of Gastric Bypass.

Benefits of Weight Loss Surgery

The average patient in our program can expect to lose the following percent of excess weight at 1-2 years:

1. With the Lap-Band, the average patient will lose 45% of excess weight.
2. With the Sleeve Gastrectomy, the average patient will lose 60% of excess weight.
3. With the Gastric Bypass, the average patient will lose 70% of excess weight.

• When combined with comprehensive support plan, bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment for obesity. The NIH recognized bariatric (weight-loss) surgery as the most effective tool to treat severe obesity and maintain long-term weight loss.

• Reduce hunger and increase the feeling of fullness by balancing metabolic hormones.

• Improvement in many obesity-related conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, sleep apnea and many others.

• Individuals that improve their weight usually are able to take less medications to treat their obesity related conditions.

• Decrease joint pain and improve the individual ability to engage in physical activity such as walking, biking, jogging, swimming and other activities.

• Reduce stress and improve self-confidence by being able to live a more active and healthy lifestyle.

• Bariatric surgeries result in long-term weight-loss success.

• Physical and emotional aspects such as mobility, self-esteem, work, social interactions and sexual function are positively affected.

• Based on large population studies, bariatric surgery patients who improve their severe obesity have a lower risk of death than individuals affected by obesity who do not have surgery.

Tri State Bariatrics performs weight loss surgeries at Bon Secours Community Hospital and Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center, members of the Westchester Medical Center Health Network, and at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cornwall. Good Samaritan is the only nationally accredited bariatric surgery center in Rockland County: It has received a Five-Star Rating from Healthgrades, and is among the top 10 percent in the nation. Each of these hospitals are accredited by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP), and Tri State Bariatrics’ results and outcomes are above the national average based on MBSAQIP results. The Tri State Bariatric surgical team uses all the latest technology—including high-definition imaging systems and 3-D flexible scopes to perform laparoscopic surgeries.

Post-Surgery Care and Ongoing Support for Success

Post-surgery care includes strict dietary guidance, and patients generally lose approximately two to three pounds per week. Proper nutrition is the centerpiece of learning to make good food choices, and you’ll work closely with our Registered Dietitian. Our integrated approach also includes regular follow up appointments with our staff; support group meetings; counseling and cognitive behavior therapy to learn how to replace emotional eating and increase coping skills; and helpful techniques to monitor and improve on your exercise habits and other necessary lifestyle changes.

On every post-surgery visit, you’ll meet with your nurse practitioner and our Dietitian for comprehensive care that includes regular monitoring of your health and body weight analysis. Our bi-weekly support groups are guided by our licensed clinical staff and focus on topics related to lifelong weight loss success. Your family members can also be engaged in your journey, and we are able to assist with helping them to become more aware and supportive of your needs.

“You Deserve a Hug!”

Tri State Bariatrics embodies its philosophy with “You Deserve a Hug!” Many severely obese patients are not able to give or receive a heartfelt hug because of their weight. This message conveys the staff’s genuine concern, care and compassion for each patient and their weight loss journey.

For the individualized care that could make a major difference in your life or in the life of someone you love, call today to set up an appointment to visit one of Tri State Bariatrics’ three offices.

Tri State Bariatrics has offices in Middletown, Suffern, Fishkill, and Sleepy Hollow and surgeries are performed at Bon Secours Community Hospital, Good Samaritan Hospital, St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital, and Phelps Hospital. For more information about Tri State Bariatrics or to schedule an appointment for a consultation, visit https://www.tristatebariatrics.org or call 855 (EAT-RITE) (855) 328-7483.

See article posted in Hudson Valley Magazine here.