Bariatric Surgery Procedures Offered at Clark Memorial Hospital

Clark Memorial Hospital is the first in southern Indiana to offer a comprehensive bariatric program for the treatment of morbid obesity. No other health system currently offers any surgical options for bariatric patients.

“Obesity is a serious health issue. Adding this type of treatment for morbid obesity will help people improve the quality of life for the many who suffer from the disease,” says Ruth Schmidt, vice president of ambulatory and emergency services. “Our program is comprehensive. Not only does it include the surgical treatment but weight loss counseling, nutritional support, physical therapy, as well as exercise and behavioral health. We truly believe that all these components are needed to make the procedure successful.”
General surgeons Drs. Daniel MacMillan and Brice Hamilton perform the procedures.

Bariatric surgical procedures are the only medically proven way to sustain significant weight loss. Specifically, Clark Memorial is offering the Lap-Band procedure. The Lap-Band system reduces the amount of food a person can eat by placing an adjustable silicone band placed around the upper portion of the stomach. This helps produce a gradual, healthy rate of weight loss of approximately one to two pounds per week during the first year. It is currently the least invasive and only adjustable surgical option in the United States that provides durable weight loss.

Typically, Lap-Band surgeries require a hospital stay of less than 24 hours. Most people return to work within a week. The first adjustment of the Lap-Band, the beginning of the road to a healthy lifestyle, normally occurs six weeks after initial placement. This adjustment will limit the amount of food intake, creating a sensation of fullness after only a few bites of food.

The American Society of Bariatric Surgery has the following indications for surgery:
  • Body Mass Index above 40, or 100 pounds over your ideal body weight.
  • Body Mass Index above 35 with two or more other diseases associated with obesity. This includes diabetes mellitus, HTN, joint disease, and others.
  • Complete understanding of the procedure and the importance of following the instruction after surgery by maintaining close contact with the program.
  • Failure of dietary or weight loss drug therapy.
“This is not cosmetic surgery,” Schmidt says. “This isn’t about failure. Some people try a variety of weight loss programs that simply do not work. The Lap-Band may be the right option that helps people lose weight and keep it off.”

For more information about the bariatric program, please call (812) 283-2087.

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