Surgical Weight Loss1.888.377.KDMC | yourhealthylife.org

LeaAnn lost 168 pounds

Susan lost 132 pounds

“ I’m comfortable anywhere.”Susan before

Surgical Weight Loss Solutions ...more info at yourhealthylife.org

Obesity is quickly becoming a nationwide health epidemic.

Consider these alarming facts:

• Three in five Americans are overweight or obese.

• One in four Americans are morbidly obese.

• In the past 20 years, obesity among adults has doubled.

When it comes to losing those extra pounds, diet and

exercise works for only a handful of obese patients. Appetite

suppressants also have shown minimal results and sometimes

have proven dangerous or deadly.

Fortunately, many of these patients are finding surgery to be

a powerful ally in their battle to lose weight. The two most

successful surgical weight loss procedures are available at King’s

Daughters: the Roux-en-Y and the lap-adjusted gastric banding.

Both help reduce or eliminate serious conditions associated with

obesity, including:

• heart and breathing problems

• high blood pressure

• high cholesterol

• diabetes

• arthritis

In most cases, both

surgical procedures

are performed

laparoscopically, which

means faster recovery

time and improved

outcomes for patients.

3

“I’ve lost 117 pounds and my illnesses are gone.”

—Rick

Jeremy lost202 pounds

“ I can run all night.”

Jeremy before

Types of Procedures ...more info at yourhealthylife.org

Roux-en-Y Gastric BypassThe most common surgical weight loss procedure is the Roux-

en-Y (RNY) Gastric Bypass, designed to reduce the amount of

calories and nutrients the body absorbs. The surgeon first creates

a small stomach pouch, then attaches a Y-shaped section of the

small intestine that enables food to bypass the lower stomach.

The newly created stomach will hold only a few ounces of food

at a time, which allows patients to experience rapid weight loss.

Lap-adjusted Gastric BandingOne of the newest surgical weight loss procedures is lap-

adjusted gastric banding. The procedure involves the surgeon

placing a hollow silicone band around the stomach, reducing

its volume and causing the patient to feel full more quickly.

The physician can tighten or loosen the band by adding or

removing saline, depending on the patient’s weight loss needs.

Lap-adjusted gastric banding patients tend to lose weight more

gradually than those who undergo the Roux-en-Y.

Surgical Weight Loss and the KDMC DifferenceOur Surgical Weight Loss program emphasizes personal health

and fitness over simple weight loss. The goal is not just weight

loss. The goal is a healthier person, and weight loss is one

component of that. We’re interested in helping our

patients eat better, exercise and begin doing the activities

they once did, or have never been able to do because of

their weight.

One aspect of KDMC’s program that sets it apart is the exclusive

use of minimally invasive surgery techniques that allow patients

to heal faster and have better results.

5

“I feel great! My endurance and stamina have improved.”

—Melissa, lost 120 pounds

“I can play more with my son.”

Todd lost125 pounds

Designed to Meet Your Needs ...more info at yourhealthylife.org

A Center of ExcellenceOur Surgical Weight Loss program is

certified as a Center of Excellence by

the American Society for Metabolic

and Bariatric Surgery. This means our

program meets a number of key factors,

including:

• Patient safety. We help promote

safe bariatric surgery by offering comprehensive services and

tracking and analyzing patient outcomes.

• A top performing center. We hold our program up to the

highest standards in the bariatric surgery industry.

• Comprehensive data tracking. We are a part of the world’s

largest, most comprehensive database of bariatric surgery practices.

For Medicare and Medicaid patients interested in Surgical

Weight Loss, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

covers the procedure for qualified recipients only if the

procedure is performed at a Center of Excellence. A complete

list of these can be found at surgicalreview.org.

More Than SurgeryA cardiac exam, exercise, dietary and psychological evaluations

are some of the key components of the pre-surgery program.

At the same time, the Surgical Weight Loss staff prepares

the patient for life after surgery. Dietitians and nurses

help patients rethink their eating and exercise habits

before the procedure, and a behavioral health specialist

addresses issues such as emotional eating, coping skills

and emotional and psychological changes.

One of the hallmarks of our Surgical Weight Loss program is

the support we give after surgery. A patient has only completed

about half of our program after surgery. It’s crucial for patients

to monitor their diet, and our staff does just that with regular

checkups with a registered dietitian.

But the support doesn’t end there. An active support group

meets monthly for patients—even those just contemplating

7

Roderick Tompkins, M.D.bariatric surgeon

Timothy Wheeler, M.D.bariatric surgeon

Eric Smith, D.O.bariatric surgeon

Before becoming a

candidate for surgical

weight loss, patients

must complete a series of

tests and procedures to

determine their level of

overall health. An initial

appointment consists of

education and evaluations

with a nurse, registered

dietitian, behavioral health

specialist and an insurance

clerk. Once this visit is

complete, you will be

contacted by the surgeon’s

office to schedule a

physician consultation.

The Road to a Healthier You ...more info at yourhealthylife.org

9

Test/Procedure Additional Information

Exercise consult (required) • Scheduled by our team along with the first surgeon visit.• The exercise consult evaluates range of motion and mobility. A good exercise program is vital to the healing process

and weight goal. Contact: KDMC Physical Therapy Services • 480 23rd St., Ashland, Ky. • 606.408.4648

Thyroid lab work (required) • Ordered by our team during a patient’s first visit.• Blood work can be drawn at KDMC Lab or a lab of your choice. Contact: KDMC Laboratory • 2201 Lexington Ave., Ashland, Ky. • 606.408.4601• An appropriate thyroid level is important for weight loss. If levels are low, medications may be prescribed.

PSA test (men age 45 and over) • Ordered by our team during a patient’s first visit.• Blood work can be drawn at KDMC Lab or a lab of your choice. Contact: KDMC Laboratory • 2201 Lexington Ave., Ashland, Ky. • 606.408.4601• Elevated PSA level in males alerts the staff of potential underlying problems.

Mammogram(women age 40 and over)

• Patients need to obtain an order from their family physician or ob/gyn.• Patients should schedule mammogram at KDMC’s Center for Advanced Imaging or a facility of choice. Contact: KDMC Center for Advanced Imaging • 2225 Central Ave., Ashland, Ky. • 606.408.7226• An abnormal mammogram alerts the staff of potential underlying problems.

Dexascan (bone density) • Scheduled and completed in surgeon’s office.• Gastric bypass patients with any type of bone disorder must have a bone density test prior to surgery.• Gastric bypass patients have a higher risk of developing osteoporosis. Yearly screenings help to decrease complications.

Pap smears (women) • Patients need to obtain a pap smear from family physician or ob/gyn. If a patient does not require a pap smear every year, then a statement from the family physician or ob/gyn is needed.

• An abnormal pap smear alerts our team of potential underlying problems.

Test/Procedure Additional Information

Endoscopy (required) • Scheduled and order given by surgeon’s office.• Outpatient procedure completed at KDMC Endoscopy Department. Contact: Endoscopy Department • 2201 Lexington Ave. • 606.408. 4852• A follow-up visit with the surgeon will be scheduled after completion of the procedure.• This test is performed to evaluate possible hernia, obstruction, and other potential complications.

Sleep study (required based on patient’s health and surgeon’s assessment)

• Scheduled and order given by surgeon’s office.• Patient to schedule at one of KDMC’s Sleep Labs (two locations available) or facility of choice. Contact: KDMC Sleep Medicine Centers • 2245 Winchester Ave., Ashland, Ky. • 606.408.4162 2001 Scioto Trail, Portsmouth, Ohio • 740.353.6390• Patients with sleep apnea may have a higher chance of respiratory complications during surgery.

Knowing the diagnosis prior to surgery helps eliminate complications.

Gallbladder ultrasound • Scheduled and order given by surgeon’s office.• This test is not required if a patient’s gallbladder has been removed.• Patient can be scheduled at KDMC or a facility of the patient’s choice.• Weight loss can cause gall stone formation. An abnormal gallbladder may need to be removed prior to bariatric

surgery.

Stress test • Scheduled and order given by surgeon’s office.• Patient can be scheduled at KDMC or a facility of the patient’s choice. Contact: KDMC Heart and Vascular Center • 2201 Lexington Ave., Ashland, Ky. • 606.408.2742 (scheduling)

The Road to a Healthier You

11

Test/Procedure Additional Information

Cardiology referral and clearance

• Patient to schedule appointment with a cardiologist of their choice. KDMC physician referrals 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday • 1.888.377.KDMC (5362) or online at kdmc.com• Cardiac testing may be required based upon patient’s health, family history, medication use or insurance requirement.

Example: A history of Phen-Fen usage will require an echocardiogram to rule out pulmonary hypertension.

H. Pylori breath test (required) • Completed in the surgeon’s office.• An H. Pylori test detects bacteria in the stomach and is easily treated with antibiotics.

Insurance submission • Patient insurance will be submitted for approval once all requirements and test results are obtained.• Our Surgical Weight Loss team will submit all required forms to your insurance company. We will contact you

once the approval or denial has been obtained.

Procedure education classes • Scheduled by our team, as needed.• Patients requiring or requesting additional education will attend this class.

Pre-operative teaching class • Every patient must attend a three-hour pre-operative teaching class. This class will be scheduled once approval from a patient’s insurance has been obtained.

• This class prepares patients for surgery and long-term post-operative care.

Surgeon’s appointment • The last pre-operative surgeon’s visit will be after the pre-operative teaching class is completed. Your surgeon will discuss any concerns with you, and you also will receive your surgery date at this visit.

The Road to a Healthier You

Surgical Weight Loss606.408.5193

Medical Plaza B613 23rd St.

Ashland, KY 41101

yourhealthylife.orgKDMC’s Surgical Weight Loss program

has launched a revamped version

of its web site, yourhealthylife.org.

The centerpiece of the new site is an

eight-minute video that guides visitors

through the program, explaining the

basics and helping people determine if

surgical weight loss is right for them.