Published: August 19, 2006 10:31 pm      

Bariatric hospital begins to thrive

Surgery not best first choice for morbidly obese, doctor says

EDMOND — Obesity is one of the nation’s leading causes of death. So when the Foundation Bariatric Hospital of Oklahoma opened its Edmond doors in March, it offered patients an array of weight-management options that includes a surgical option.

Its approach includes psychological support, medical support, surgical support, exercise support and nutritional support.

The Edmond specialty hospital has 14 licensed beds, two intensive care unit beds, three operating rooms, a radiology department, sleep lab, gym, store, physicians’ offices and a psychologist.

“It’s going well,” said Gary Guidry, president of Foundation Bariatric Affiliates, the company that owns the hospital. “We have a steady increase in patient volume.”

Seventy-five employees encompass the hospital and the healthplex.

Patients are offered stringent pathways to the medical management weight-loss program or the bariatric surgery when needed for the morbidly obese.

The Healthplex, on the second floor of the hospital, facilitates outpatient services. For patients choosing a medically managed weight-loss approach, more than 1,500 dietary protocols have been devised depending on each patient’s individual assessment by a physician or nurse practitioner.

“They’ll see our dietitian; they’ll see our exercise (instructor),” Guidry said. “Well put them on a pathway to where if they want to lose 5, 10, 15, 30, 50, 200 pounds — we have an avenue for them.”

Nobody chooses to become morbidly obese, was Dr. Toby Broussard’s message to a recent meeting of the Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce. Bariatric surgery is a procedure that saves lives and may restore health, said Broussard, a bariatric surgeon with Foundation Bariatric Hospital of Oklahoma.

“Despite conventional wisdom, it’s not just a case overeating and laziness,” Broussard said. “It’s multi-factored. ... We know that by the time morbid obesity sets in that conventional wisdom of dieting and exercise really doesn’t relate to long-term weight loss.”

Diet and exercise only works for 3 percent of the morbidly obese population, he said studies have shown.

“Surgery is not your first choice — it’s your last choice after you’ve tried everything else.”

Obesity increased 71 percent from 1991 to 2002, Broussard said, whereas diabetes increased by 64 percent.

Bariatric surgery is a proven solution for patients 100 pounds or more overweight, Broussard said. Obesity affects every organ and body system from head to toe, Broussard said.

It is responsible for $257 billion worth of related health care costs in the United States, he added.

Bariatric surgery improves or cures 97 percent of related co-morbidity health conditions, he added. Many patients share many of the same co-morbidities such as hypertension, Type 2 diabetes and sleep apnea.

“This operation doesn’t treat your diabetes — it cures your diabetes,” Broussard said. “It cures your sleep apnea.”

(Features Editor James Coburn may be reached via e-mail at jcoburn@edmondsun.com.)