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Severe obesity is a chronic disease that affects millions of Americans. For the vast majority of severely obese people, diets and medications only help with temporary weight loss. Patients usually regain all and sometimes additional weight. Medical treatment of this chronic disease is difficult and often unsuccessful.
Weight-loss surgery is not a quick fix. Rather, it is a journey requiring a serious commitment to changing lives. Our Bariatric Surgery Team is committed to providing you with the education and tools to help you prepare for a successful and life-altering journey.
We offer an integrative care program – not simply a surgical procedure. To help our patients achieve a complete lifestyle change, our program pulls together the skills of professionals from Bristol Hospital, including:
- Experienced surgeons
- Bariatric nurse caregivers
- Dietitians
- Exercise physiologists
- Mental health providers
Our Board certified surgeons, Makram Gedeon, MD, and
Olakunle Oluwole, MD perform several surgical options, including the LAP-BAND® Adjustable Gastric Banding System and laparoscopic gastric bypass procedure.
All surgery is performed in Bristol Hospital’s Perioperative Center, one of Connecticut’s newest and most sophisticated surgical centers. Spacious rooms provide patients comfort and privacy during procedures. Patients enjoy the continuity of care and comfort associated with having patient registration, admitting, procedure rooms, and a recovery area in one beautifully decorated environment. The relationship between our surgeons and clinical staff fosters a true team approach to every patient and provides an outstanding level of care.
You are a candidate for weight loss surgery if you:
- Are 100 pounds or more above your ideal weight or have a BMI of 40 or higher.
- Have a BMI of at least 35 and are diagnosed with at least one or more serious obesity related conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or sleep apnea.
- Have no severe medical, psychological or emotional conditions that would render surgery too risky.
- Have no dependence on drugs or alcohol, or have been sober for a year.
- Have tried and failed at previous efforts to lose weight.
- Understand the seriousness of the surgery and the necessity for a lifelong personal commitment to a healthier diet and lifestyle.
- Have obesity-related physical problems that interfere with employment, walking or family function.
We will guide you through pre-surgery education and screening, the weight loss surgery, and a two-year post-surgery program that focuses on monitoring your success and helping with lifestyle changes.
Informational Seminars
The decision to undergo weight-loss surgery is an important one. This is a great way to learn more about the Lap Band procedure available at Bristol Hospital and have your questions answered by a bariatric surgeon. To be considered for weight loss surgery, you must attend an information seminar. For the dates and times of upcoming seminars, please visit our online community event calendar or call (860) 314-2798. Please download important forms from this website that will need to be completed prior to your attendance at an information seminar.
Your Next Step
Attending a group information session is the first step on your path to your weight loss surgery journey. The next step is to schedule an appointment with our bariatric program coordinator, Kerry Roy, RN, MSN. You will need to complete a number of forms that you will need to bring with you to your first appointment. Click here to download your forms. If your paperwork is not completed by your first meeting, your appointment will have to be rescheduled.
Professional Nutrition Counseling
A registered dietitian will review your medical history, current eating habits and personal wellness goals, and then develop an individualized nutrition plan. Our goal is to help you make gradual, long-term changes in your eating habits and lifestyle, providing encouraging support and advice along the way.
Support Groups
We have monthly support group meetings that provide an opportunity for patients to share stories, share tips and other insights throughout their journey. Support groups are a great way to meet new people and maintain a connection with old friends. Family members are welcome and encouraged to attend.
Your Path to Wellness
The Bristol Hospital Wellness Center is a medically-based center designed to help people of all ages and levels of fitness achieve their health and wellness goals comfortably and safely. Our on-site clinical staff includes certified dietitians and physical therapists who offer a highly personalized approach to health and wellness.
Insurance Coverage
Many insurance programs will cover the cost of surgery. However, it is your responsibility to confirm this with your insurance company prior to making the appointment. Please keep in mind that some insurance carriers may have specific exclusion criteria or requirements to be met before weight loss surgery is covered.
Request for insurance authorization for coverage of your surgery will be submitted after the initial evaluation to determine whether you are a surgical candidate. The date of surgery will be determined when you have completed all pre-surgical evaluations.You may pay for the surgery yourself if insurance coverage is not provided. Financial counselors are available to assist you and answer questions.
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