For individuals with severe weight problems, diet and exercise are rarely effective in permanently correcting the disease.
Dr. Thomas A. Stellato and his associate Peter Hallowell, M.D. offer patients recovery from obesity through a surgical procedure known as the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. This surgery both restricts food intake and causes some mild malabsorption to produce weight loss.
Considered the gold standard within the industry, this procedure enables patients to lose an average of 100 pounds or more, which helps them gain and retain an optimum weight level as well as rid themselves of a number of co-morbid diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and sleep apnea.
The objective of the surgery is to reduce the capacity of the stomach by creating a stomach pouch that is approximately the size of a thumb. This tiny reservoir will hold between 30 to 60 cc's (1 or 2 ounces) of fluid, which is enough to provide the post-operation patient with a sense of satiety or fullness after eating. The pouch also empties slowly, so that the sense of fullness lasts a long time. In turn, the reduced intake prevents the person from overeating, allowing them to lose substantial amounts of weight.