press release from Milton Hospital
Milton Hospital has announced the launch of a LAP-BAND® weight loss surgery program.
The LAP-BAND® surgery is a minimally invasive, adjustable surgical treatment for obesity. When other weight loss options have continually failed, weight loss surgery can help patients improve their health and enhance their quality of life. The LAP-BAND® System uses an adjustable band placed around the upper part of the stomach. The LAP-BAND reduces the stomach’s capacity, restricting the amount of food one is able to eat at one time. By feeling full faster and staying full longer, patients eat less.
“Now more than ever, healthcare providers need to work together to provide education and solutions to combat obesity. Weight loss surgery is not a quick-fix solution however,” said Charlene Chao, MD, who performs weight loss surgeries at Milton Hospital.
“Surgeries like the LAP-BAND procedure require a commitment to changing one’s lifestyle and continuous, ongoing support. My team and I are dedicated to informing patients of all the options available and finding the solution that best matches each patient.”
Dr. Chao, who completed a fellowship in weight loss surgery at the New York Hospital at Queens, is part of a team that includes specially-trained nursing staff, nutritionists and mental health professionals, who guides each patient through their entire weight loss journey. Those considering surgery must first attend a free information session that provides details on surgical options for weight loss, including the LAP-BAND system, qualifications for surgery, recovery and aftercare. Patients who meet the criteria for surgery will be evaluated individually by the hospital’s weight loss team and will undergo diagnostic testing, including:
· Sleep disorder evaluation
· Heart evaluation
· Psychological evaluation
· Lab testing
· Nutrition counseling
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According to research conducted by the Centers for Disease Control, over a quarter of the total U.S. population was classified as obese in 2010. Obesity is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, certain types of cancer and type 2 diabetes.
To learn more about the hospital’s weight loss program, please visit: www.miltonhospital.org/weightloss Support groups are hosted by the hospital on the second Thursday of every month and information sessions are held on the last Thursday of every month. To register, call 617- 696-0660. You can also find us on Facebook to stay up-to-date on the hospital’s latest news and events.