Volume
Since it began in 1998, the Bariatric Surgery Program at Cleveland's University Hospitals has performed more than 800 gastric bypass surgeries, including more than 120 laparoscopic cases. Until 2004, our Program increased the number of surgeries it performs by approximately 100% each year.
[Please note that in 2004 dramatic changes in insurance coverage, with many carriers dropping coverage, or limiting coverage to $10,000 lifetime per member, has discouraged some patients from pursuing gastric bypass surgery. However, we continue to work with each patient on an individual basis, to find ways to maximize their benefits and insurance coverage for the surgery.]
Length of Stay
During the years 2003 and 2004, the average Length of Stay (LOS) following surgery was 2.8 days (a Length of Stay rarely achieved by most programs). More significantly, in 2004, 49% of our patients were discharged home within 1-2 days and 80% of our patients were discharged within 2-3 days.
Operative Procedure Time
Since 1998, the average operative procedure time has been reduced from approximately 4 hours, down to approximately 2 - ½ hours. In 2001 we introduced our Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass Program and it was noted by an increase in operative time. Since 2001, however, the laparoscopic operative time is now averaging the same as the open gastric bypass procedure, 2-½ hrs.