Isaac Samuel, MD, is the director of the UI Obesity Surgery Program at UI Hospitals and Clinics. This internationally respected program has also been identified by Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield as a bariatric surgery "Center of Excellence" and meets the criteria established by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association for participation in the national Blue Centers for Bariatric Surgery. This designation underscores the program's excellence in patient education and outstanding clinical outcomes.

The UI Obesity Surgery Program is different from other weight loss surgery programs because:

• The extensive pre-operative patient education program is not standard elsewhere
• Complication rates from our minimally invasive approach are very low
• The emphasis on post-operative follow-up insures compliance with diet and exercise routines
• The offer of life-long follow-up is unique
• Research endeavors are novel aspects that will benefit the patient  

Samuel said a good candidate for the surgery should first be diagnosed as morbidly obese. Second, the patient should be able to make appropriate life-long behavior modifications and be capable of a compliant diet and exercise program.

"The new-patient visit to our bariatric surgery program can take more than half a day," Samuel says, "and involves a great deal of patient education. In addition to the routine patient history and physical, the patient has a session with the bariatric nurse coordinator and with a clinical dietitian who explain the surgery and the life style changes required.

"Patient education is a very important part of the program. This is when we teach the patient how to achieve optimal results. We explain the minimally invasive approach -- where the gastric bypass is performed through tiny key-hole incisions. The minimally invasive approach has several advantages over the open approach for both near-term recovery and long-term benefits."

According to the American Society for Bariatric Surgery, bariatric surgery, when performed at facilities with a comprehensive bariatric program, is safe. "Our results over the past six years show that bariatric surgery can be performed safely when performed by well trained surgeons. We have one of the safest programs in the country," Samuel says.

Regular and long-term follow-up is another aspect of bariatric surgery that is very important and something that many programs fail to emphasize Samuel says. "Follow-up is necessary to ensure compliance with diet and exercise routines. Regular follow-up helps identify any nutritional deficiencies in a timely manner and institute appropriate changes.

For more information, e-mail: obesitysurgery@uiowa.edu, call 319-356-7694 or 800-777-8442, or visit the UI Obesity Surgery Program web site.

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