Program Overview
The Bariatric Surgery Program at Penn Presbyterian
offers morbidly obese patients
comprehensive surgical and nutrition care,
minimally invasive laproscopic gastric bypass
surgery and unique educational programs before
and after surgery.
Core components of our program include:
- Bariatric Surgery Patient Information
Session
Our program begins with an information
session designed specifically to provide
potential patients with an overview of various
surgical procedures and post-operative diet
plans. This free introductory seminar is
held on the first Monday of every month from
1 pm - 3 pm. Night sessions are occasionally
available. For more information or to reserve
a seat in the next session, please call, 215-662-9198.
- Pre-operative Screening Evaluations
Potential
patients undergo surgical, nutritional and
psychological pre-operative screening evaluations. During
the initial office visit, the surgeon evaluates
each patient’s medical and surgical history
and discusses the risks and benefits of surgical
treatment for obesity. The dietitian reviews
the patient’s diet and weight history and
discusses the lifestyle changes required for
post-operative success.
A psychological evaluation,
performed by specialists at the University of
Pennsylvania Weight and Eating Disorders Program,
ascertains the patients’ proper
mental health in order to become surgical candidates.
- Nutrition Counseling
Prior to surgery,
each patient receives one-on-one or small group
nutrition counseling from the bariatric clinical
dietitian specialist. The specialist educates
patients on the principles of post-operative
dietary progression as well as the required
vitamin and mineral supplementation.
- Laparoscopic gastric bypass or open gastric
bypass surgical options
Laparoscopic gastric
bypass and open gastric bypass surgeries are
performed in state-of-the-art surgical suites
at Penn Presbyterian.
- Post-operative surgical monitoring and
evaluation of dietary compliance
Frequent
post-operative office visits insure patients
are recuperating from surgery, and following
the principles of the gastric bypass diet.
- Patient Support Groups
The University
of Pennsylvania Health System offers several
support groups for pre-operative and
post-operative patients, as well as their family
and friends. Support groups offer attendees
the opportunity to share their experiences with
other patients and our surgical and nutrition
staff.
- Pre and Post-op Support Group: Conveniently
held monthly from 10 am –12 pm on
a Saturday. This general session is open
to all bariatric surgery patients. Call
215-662-9198 for dates, location and additional
details.
- Pre-op Young Adult Support Group: Young
adult candidates for surgery may be asked
to participate in a series of educational
meetings. These meetings are designed to
help the candidate make an appropriate decision
about this life altering surgery.
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