Note:
Not all patients are candidates for the Mini Gastric
Bypass. Patients ideally should meet the following guidelines.
Communication Access: You must have
a reliable e-mail address that can accept "attachments."
Note: It is important that you DO NOT use your work e-mail
address. You can expect to receive a high volume of very
personal e-mail at the address that you send us.
You must have appropriate financial
resources to cope with the costs associated with the surgery
itself and you must be prepared to communicate with us
during the postoperative period in the event of a problem
or complication.
Age between 16 and 64
(rarely, exceptions are made to very well motivated, very
well informed patients that have strong support of their
family and their physicians).
A BMI of 40 kg/m2 or above, or
a BMI of 35 to 40 kg/m2 with comorbidity, (A good rule
of thumb is a body weight of over 100 lbs above your ideal
body weight.)
A body weight no more than 450
lbs., although we evaluate people on an individual basis.
We also have a plan for preoperative weight loss to reach
a safer weight.
Patients must presently be working,
either in or out of the home
No history of previous obesity
surgery. That is, we do not accept patients that have
had previous vertical banded gastroplasty, “stomach
stapling,” Roux-en-Y or other types of previous
weight loss surgery. (We are no longer accepting patients
for revision of other types of weight loss surgery.)
History of major abdominal surgery
needs to be carefully reviewed. (Some operations such
as appendectomy, gallbladder removal and hysterectomy
may be acceptable.)
No history of alcohol abuse or
drug use.
The patient must show evidence
of a strong, supportive and stable family structure and
have the documented support of their immediate family.
The patient must have a supportive
personal physician (family practice or internal medicine)
who will:
Support the patient’s desire
to undergo Laparoscopic Mini-Gastric Bypass;
Perform a detailed, meticulous
and complete preoperative evaluation;
Agree to be actively involved in
the postoperative follow up.
No history of major psychiatric
illness.
If the patient has had depression,
the patient and his/her psychiatrist must have a plan
in place with their psychiatrist for the diagnosis and
management of depression postoperatively.
No history of:
Recent Prednisone Therapy for
Any Reason
Systemic Lupus Erythematosis
(SLE)
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Other Collagen Vascular Disease
Patients need to have a documented
commitment to participate in a postoperative exercise
program.
Evidence that the patient can work
with staff by following directions and communicating in
a timely manner.
Documented commitment to maintain
the initial postoperative and yearly long-term follow-up
to decrease the risks of complications such as ulcers,
vitamin, mineral and other nutritional deficiencies.
Frequent post-operative follow-up is required. All patients must be prepared to provide feedback in the first, sixth and 12th months during the first year, and once per year thereafter to include follow-up information and appropriate labwork.
If you are unable to follow these guidelines, you may wish to explore other surgical options.
