The ground-breaking NOTES™ approach through the mouth, facilitated by a computer-powered instrumentation platform, provides a revolutionary and less invasive way to perform traditional surgical procedures

SPRINGFIELD – Heralding the dawn of a new age in surgical technology, a team of Baystate Medical Center physicians announced today (July 12) that they have performed the world’s first reported stapled NOTES™ cyst-gastrostomy to successfully treat and save the life of a seriously ill patient who had been hospitalized for months with a chronic pancreatic infection, without the need for an abdominal incision.
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Edgemont, PA (August 20, 2007) –

Matrix Medical Communications, publishers of Bariatric Times, holds as one of its highest priorities the rapid communication of information that aids healthcare professionals in better caring for the obese and morbidly obese patient. While there are several researched based journals serving the surgical market, only Bariatric Times provides the multidisciplinary team with access to high-quality, peer-reviewed educational content emphasizing the critical aspects of bariatric surgery and total bariatric patient care.

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[press release]

Introduction

Weight loss surgery, such as gastric bypass and bariatric banding typically costs between $15,000 to $30,000. Although a number of insurance companies cover these types of procedures, many individuals find it somewhat difficult to attain approval. In fact, a growing number of insurance companies require patients complete a rigorous and supervised diet and exercise routine prior to giving authorization. And even when authorization is granted, policies vary, with many offering expensive riders. This leaves the patient with an out-of-pocket expense ranging from $250 to $2000. For other patients, financial assistance from insurance is not even an option as millions of Americans find themselves uninsured. Rising health premiums continue to force more and more employers to either eliminate health benefits or require employees to bear some of the financial burden.

So how do patients secure the funds necessary to get the surgery they so desperately want and need? Consumer credit cards and cash savings are typically not an option as research has shown that the average American only has $300 available credit and cannot comfortably write a check for more than $500 out of their monthly budget. Patients can apply for loans, but this can be a very tedious, lengthy and discouraging experience, causing them to delay surgery. If no other options are offered by their doctor, paying for care can be one of patients’ biggest obstacles to weight loss.

As a value-added service and financing solution, many doctors now offer convenient monthly payment plans through companies such as CareCredit®, a division of GE Money. These plans can be used for deductibles, co-payment and any treatment not covered by insurance, including post operative services, counseling and nutritional supplies. Offering patients the ability to finance their procedures has been proven to benefit the patient and practice in many ways. Most importantly, helping patients attain financing makes it easier for them to get the surgery they want, when they want it and makes surgery accessible to a wider range of patients. For example, for a $15000 procedure, the patient’s monthly payment could be as low as $333, making surgery more affordable.

An Ideal Solution for Patients

With the leading program, CareCredit, there are no up front costs, annual fees or prepayment penalties. Patients can finance up to 100% of care through a wide range of No Interest or Low Interest extended payment plans, making it easy for them to fit payments into their monthly budget while leaving their consumer credit cards available for household or unplanned expenses. And they won’t be forced to seek loans or financing from multiple sources. One unique benefit is that CareCredit is a revolving line of credit, so patients can return for additional care as needed without having to reapply or worry about securing a financial resource.

An Easy-to-Use Solution for Practices

Offering third-party financing is quick and easy. Practices find when financing is offered during the consultation it helps motivate patients to start treatment now. In fact a study verified more than two-thirds of patients began treatment at the first practice they visited if offer financing1. Another benefit to offer patients this value-added service is practices no longer assume the risk of carrying tens of thousands of dollars in Accounts Receivable. With high approval rates and instantaneous credit decisions, offering financing is quick and easy and can significantly impact your bottomline. The same study found that practices offering CareCredit increased their gross annual revenue an average of 25.3%2. Once the surgery is scheduled and the financing company processes the fee, the payment is electronically transferred to the practice’s designated account within two business days, improving cash flow.

“CareCredit is very easy to use and we receive payment immediately. Plus, one of the biggest benefits to our patients is CareCredit’s fixed 11.9% interest rate, which keeps the monthly payments low and easy to handle.” —Toby Varghese, Administrator, Lap-Band Solutions

Today, doctors and their teams are developing programs to help patients not only address their emotional and psychological issues pre-and post-surgery, but also provide financing solutions as well, helping more begin the journey towards a healthier life.

1, 2 ADCPA Study, July 2005.

Dear Bariatric Times Editor:

I noted with interest the article by Cynthia Buffington, PhD, entitled, “Alcohol Use and Health Risks: Survey Results,” which appeared in the March 2007 issue of Bariatric Times.[1] Recent inquiries to the International Bariatric Surgery Registry (IBSR) from patients or family members have been requests for information regarding the incidence of alcoholism following bariatric surgery.

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by Sayeed Ikramuddin, MD; Daniel Leslie, MD; Bryan A. Whitson, MD; and Todd A. Kellogg, MD, PhD

All from the University of Minnesota Medical Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

This article serves as an update of an article on the same topic published in Bariatric Times in September, 2005. (Ikramuddin S, Kellogg, TA. Energy Metabolism and Biochemistry of Obesity. Bariatric Times 2005;(2)5:37–9)

Introduction

Obesity, though clearly a result of energy excess in comparison to energy expenditure, has been difficult to establish as a disease. It is true that obesity is now occurring at epidemic proportions. In parallel, efforts to treat obesity are increasing. Currently, surgery is the only proven treatment resulting in sustained weight loss for the morbidly obese.[1] It is important to stress that surgery alone is not effective; however, surgery in a program of behavioral modification and sustained caloric reduction results in sustained weight loss greater than five years.

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by Margaret Houk, RN, BSN

Margi Houk, RN, BSN, is a case manager with Saint Mary’s Health Plans, Reno, Nevada.

My Journey to Surgery

I have struggled with my weight since my birth. It is a family disease; my older brother has also dealt with a lifelong battle against morbid obesity and all of its associated health problems. In the fall of 2002, my brother nearly died while on a hunting trip to Colorado from complications of being at a high altitude. He was in the ICU on a ventilator for seven days and was the forced to be dependent on a supplemental oxygen tank for a full year following the trip. That development was the slap in the face I needed; I suddenly saw myself going down the same path and realized that with my similar health and weight situation, I was staring at an untimely and young death looming on the near horizon.

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TELL US ABOUT THE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE LEAD STAFF AT YOUR FACILITY.

Western Bariatric Institute is an established, highly experienced, multidisciplinary, surgical weight loss center located in Reno, Nevada. With a long track record of professional care, compassionate service, and outstanding outcomes, we are dedicated to providing our patients with the highest level of care available. Our practice houses four board-certified surgeons, three advanced practice nurses, a registered nurse, two medical assistants, a dietitian, and a whole line of support staff to care for our bariatric patients through every step of the process towards weight loss surgery. In total, we currently have 24 employees who specialize in providing outstanding patient care and service.

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JONES: Laparoscopic vs. Open Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass: Does the Data Support One Method Over the Other?

Kenneth B. Jones, Jr., MD, FACS, is Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery, Louisiana State University, Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, Louisiana.

The term “minimally invasive, open Roux-en-Y gastric bypass with a left subcostal incision (RYGBP-LSI)” appears to be an oxymoron. “Open RYGBP” means a xiphoid to umbilical midline incision, but that may not always be the case. Many bariatric surgeons use a much smaller incision, and in over 4,000 bariatric cases (including various gastroplasties earlier on and then RYGBP in the past 20 years), I have used a left subcostal incision exclusively, which levels the laparoscopic versus open playing field, relative to abdominal access.

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