The ramifications of being overweight can bring social discrimination as well as increase the risk of Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, gall bladder and other diseases. Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center now offers a bariatric surgery program to help those who are morbidly obese. Bariatrics is the branch of medicine that deals with prevention, control and treatment of obesity. Morbid obesity is defined as being overweight by 100 pounds or more.
Surgery is only one option of the weight loss process. Good Samaritan's Eat Right Nutrition Center provides accurate and up to date information on diet and nutrition for your health and well-being. The Center's professional dietitians help patients meet their nutritional needs with reliable information. A lifestyle commitment follows and Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center is there to help you make this transition.
Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center also offers a bariatric support group that supplies information and continuing support for patients of pre- and post-surgery status. The group meets on a regular basis every other Monday evening and every other Tuesday afternoon.
The last option for morbid obesity is bariatric surgery. At Good Samaritan we offer the “gastric sleeve,” "gastric bypass" or "gastric banding" procedures. All surgeries are followed by dramatic and sustained weight loss. The gastric sleeve involves removing a portion of the stomach to reduce the amount of volume it is able to hold. The gastric bypass process involves the sealing off of most of the stomach to reduce and control the amount of food that a person can intake. Also, the small intestine is rearranged to reduce the calories the body can absorb. The gastric banding process involves a band made of special material placed around the stomach near its upper end. This creates a small pouch and narrow passage into the larger remainder of the stomach. Potential surgery candidates are morbidly obese people who are determined to safeguard their future and eradicate their struggle with this lifelong, life threatening weight problem.
For more information on the Bariatric Surgery Program or the Eat Right Nutrition Program, please call 631-376-4444.
Once a year, Good Samaritan looks forward to holding its annual spring fashion show for our bariatric patients. The event is held on the grounds of the Medical Center in the hospital's conference center. This wonderful event celebrates the many accomplishments of our bariatric patients. Weight loss surgery is a gratifying, life altering change and we are pleased to recognize our patient's success.
Hosting a special event like a fashion show for patients is an important compnent of a successful bariatric program and helps to bring home the advantages of bariatric surgery for patients. There are many positive reasons to hold this event. Patients can celebrate their weight loss accomplishments, they can demonstrate how weight loss surgery has changed their lives and their families can enjoy the event and share in their loved one's success.
Bariatric Support Group
Good Samaritan hosts a support group for pre- and post-operative patients. Good Samaritan's support group is facilitated by a registered nurse (bariatric coordinator), social workers, group liaisons, which may consist of former patients and a dietitian who attends as needed. The bariatric support group is composed of individuals who, through shared experiences, strength and hope, are dealing with a metabolic disorder. Everyone is welcomed in this process. There are no dues or fees to become a member. The group meets on a regular basis every other Saturday at the hospital. It is unique from other support groups. Education and success are the common goals of the support group members and group leaders.
American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) Center of Excellence Being named an ASMBS Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence is recognition of the bariatric program at Good Samaritan for meeting rigorous standards and demonstrating a commitment to the delivery of safe and effective bariatric surgical care.
Blue Distinction Center® for Bariatric Surgery Good Samaritan has been named by Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield as a Blue Distinction Center for Bariatric Surgery due to its demonstrated expertise in delivering quality health care. This designation shows the medical centers commitment to bariatric surgery meeting requirements in minimum volume of surgeries performed, appropriate experience of its bariatric surgery team, services such as an acute care inpatient facility with intensive care and emergency services, full accreditation by The Joint Commission and a comprehensive quality management program.
“My surgery was my turning point. I tried so many forms of weight loss, unsuccessfully. I knew my ultimate success would not be up to only me; working with the physicians and support staff at Good Samaritan, I never felt alone. The surgery is a tool; it’s not a "magic bullet". You need to be willing to make positive changes and I did. I‘ve lost more than 160 pounds and I have my life back. I recently started a new career in the beauty industry, a career that seemed impossible before my surgery. I feel a great sense of pride that I have reached a healthy weight. Everyday, I feel good about myself: healthy, happy and hopeful.”
Marcia Marlowe and Heather Marlowe-Rea
Making the weight loss journey together, Marcia Marlow and her daughter, Heather Marlow-Rea have become a mother-daughter team. Marcia's journey began with her LapBand surgery and then an RNY gastric bypass. She has since lost a total of 128 lbs.
She is off all of her breathing and diabetes medications and takes less than half her blood pressure medication. She is enjoying life and spending quality time with her friends and family.
"Now that I am in my 60s I am enjoying the life that I missed in my 40s and 50s."
Heather's RNY gastric bypass helped her to lose more than 189lbs. She is off all of her diabetes, blood pressure and other medications. She has since returned to school and finishing her teaching degree.
"My surgery has given me a second chance and is the best thing I have ever done in my life."
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