Weight loss surgery now available in Lee
BY MICHELLE L. START Florida Weekly Correspondent

Faced with increasing risks of cancer, stroke, coronary disease, hypertension and type 2 diabetes, Americans are continuing to gain weight and obesity mortality rates are skyrocketing.

And for those facing major health problems and unable to lose the weight through non-surgical approaches of supervised diet, exercise and medication, Lee Center for Weight Management is now offering a surgery locally that can help.

"The program will offer the healthcare providers and patients of Southwest Florida an added option in the battle of this national epidemic of morbid obesity," said Dr. Moses Shieh of Suncoast Surgical Associates, who just began offering the surgery at Lee Memorial Hospital. "This is not cosmetic surgery. We are reversing and curing diabetes. Patients are no longer needing their medications. We are resolving sleep apnea. Cardiac issues are being reversed."

Surveys show that obesity rates for adults age 20 to 74 increased from 15 percent in the late 1970s to nearly 33 percent during 2003-2004, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Shieh offers two types of surgeries.

One uses a band to create a pouch in the stomach that is about the size of an egg. A port is left in the side of the patient so that band can be loosened or tightened post surgery.

The other creates a pouch, but also reroutes food through the intestines allowing for less absorption.

The end result is that both surgeries restricts food intake and helps patients to lose drastic amounts of weight.

In order to qualify, patients must have a body mass index of over 35 and have current co-morbidities that are being treated.

Surveys indicate that in 1986, less than 10 percent of all Floridians had a BMI of greater than 30 (considered to be obese), but the same survey conducted in 2006 showed between 20 and 24 percent of Floridians fell into that category. The surveys are conducted by health departments across the country and are posted on the CDC's Web site.

Those interested in the surgery have to attend several information sessions which address risks and complications. They must also have a recent physical exam, fill out a health profile and undergo various tests to ensure they do not have any serious risk factors that would rule out the surgery.

"They have to know the risks and have a letter of medical necessity," said Sharon Wilson, bariatric program coordinator for the Lee Center for Weight Management. "They also go for a psychological evaluation. We want to know if they are psychologically ready to move forward."

Up until recently, patients wanting the procedure could receive all of the support locally but had to travel to Miami or Sarasota for the actual surgery. Shieh is scheduled to perform his first surgery at Lee Memorial Hospital in late April or early May.