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When your weight has become more than just a burden, Methodist Hospitals Center for Weight Loss Surgery can help.

Obesity is not a simple condition of eating too much. It is now recognized that obesity is a serious, chronic disease. No human condition — not race, religion, gender, ethnicity or disease state — compares to obesity in prevalence and prejudice, mortality and morbidity, sickness and stigma.

Methodist Hospitals Center for Weight Loss Surgery offers a comprehensive surgical weight loss program. You will have access to the most surgical options along with educational tools, dietary and psychological counseling. We also offer a unique continuum of post-surgery support and follow-up. Our expert clinical staff will create a personalized surgical weight loss plan for each individual. This comprehensive program is what makes our Center exceptional!

Methodist Hospitals Center for Weight Loss Surgery is conveniently located. We are 30 minutes from Chicago and just 2 ½ hours from Indianapolis. Merrillville, Indiana is the home of major shopping chains, entertainment and recreation.

Check out the Weightloss Surgery brochure

What is Obesity?
Obesity is a complex disorder. It is caused by multiple factors, both environmental and inherited, including excessive calorie and food intake, decreased physical activity and genetic influences. The formula for weight gain is fairly straightforward, however. You gain weight when you consume more calories (energy) than your body uses or needs.

What’s the difference between being obese and being overweight? The defining characteristic in both overweight and obese people is excess body fat. The difference is a matter of degree.

• Twenty-one percent of the nation’s population is considered obese.

• Obesity is a chronic, life-threatening disease

• Obesity shortens life expectancy

• Obesity is associated with many comorbidities (server health conditions)

• Obesity leads to significant medical, psychological, social, physical, and economic difficulties

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What Causes Obesity?
Obesity is caused by an energy imbalance. Our genetic make up has not changed since the stone ages. Our genes require us to burn more calories than we consume in order to remain healthy and fit. However, today’s modern society affords us a copious supply of food and many labor-saving technologies which can virtually eliminate the need for physical activity

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What Is My Body Mass Index?
The term BMI is often used when discussing the obesity epidemic, but what is BMI?
BMI stands for Body Mass Index. It is a number that shows body weight adjusted for height. BMI can be calculated with simple math using inches and pounds, or meters and kilograms. For adults aged 20 years or older, BMI falls into one of these categories: underweight, normal, overweight, or obese.

Approximately 3 to 5 % of the United States population has severe obesity

Check out our BMI Calculator

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Complications Associated with Clinically Severe Obesity
According to the National Institute of Health, overweight and obese individuals (BMI of 25 and above) are at increased risk for physical ailments such as:

• High blood pressure, hypertension
• High blood cholesterol, dyslipidemia
• Type 2 (non-insulin dependent) diabetes
• Insulin resistance, glucose intolerance
• Hyperinsulinemia
• Coronary heart disease
• Angina pectoris
• Congestive heart failure
• Stroke
• Gallstones
• Cholescystitis and cholelithiasis
• Gout
• Osteoarthritis
• Obstructive sleep apnea and respiratory problems
• Some types of cancer (such as endometrial, breast, prostate, and colon)
• Complications of pregnancy such as; gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension and preeclampsia as well as complications in operative delivery (i.e., c-sections).
• Poor female reproductive health (such as menstrual irregularities, infertility, irregular ovulation)
• Bladder control problems (such as stress incontinence)
• Uric acid nephrolithiasis
• Psychological disorders (such as depression, eating disorders, distorted body image, and low self-esteem).

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Treatments for Clinically Severe Obesity
Conventional Therapies that are used to treat Clinically Severe Obesity include:

• Diet
• Exercise
• Behavioral Modifications
• Pharmaceuticals

However, with these therapies, only 3% to 5% of patients lose an appreciable amount of weight. Few keep the weight off.

Do I Qualify for Weight Loss Surgery?
Weight Loss Surgery is only used once a person meets the necessary guidelines and has tried alternative methods of weight loss. Our staff will work with you to decide if you are a candidate for Methodist Center for Weight Loss Surgery.

According to the National Institutes of Health, the following guidelines should be met:

• Person should be morbidly obese

• 100 pounds or 100% over their ideal body weight (Body Mass Index of 40 or >)

• Should have a measurable complication from their obesity (physical, psychological, social, or economic)

• Should be of sound mind to understand the risks and commitment to the surgery

• Attempted conventional weight loss programs without success

• Be free from drugs, alcohol, and tobacco

Surgical Options and Their Outcomes
The goal of weight loss surgery is to improve health, improve quality of life and to increase lifespan. Methodist Hospitals Center for Weight Loss Surgery offers three surgical options for weight loss.

Roux-en-y Gastric Bypass – Open and Laproscopic
The Methodist Hospitals offers both open and laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery. This procedure has the best long-term success for weight loss and is the golden standard for weight loss surgery in the United States.

In this procedure, the surgeon forms a small stomach pouch of 1 ounce and connects the pouch to the small intestines. The pouch initially holds about 1 ounce of food. The pouch's outlet usually has a diameter of about 1/2-inch. The small outlet delays the emptying of food from the pouch and causes a feeling of fullness. The surgery bypasses a section of the small intestine with leads to decreased calorie absorption.

After an operation, the person usually can eat only 5 to 10 bites of food before feeling full. With time, the capacity may increase to half to a whole cup of food that may be consumed without discomfort or nausea. Food has to be well chewed. For most people, the ability to eat a large amount of food at one time is lost, but some patients do return to eating modest amounts of food without feeling hungry.

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LAP- BAND
The LAP-BAND Adjustable Gastric Band is the only adjustable surgical treatment for clinically severe obesity in the United States. The Center for Weight Loss Surgery at Methodist Hospitals offers this procedure, which is less invasive than traditional weight loss surgery, such as gastric bypass.

The procedure is performed through small incisions as laparoscopic devices guide the placement of an adjustable silicone band. The band is fastened around the upper stomach to create a small pouch that limits the amount of food one can eat. Patients experience a feeling of fullness earlier and are more easily satisfied with small amounts of food.

The LAP-BAND is considered the least traumatic of all weight loss surgeries because there is no cutting, stapling or intestinal re-routing. Because there are no large incisions, pain is reduced, the hospital stay is shorter and recovery is quicker. The procedure is also completely reversible.

As time goes on, the LAP-BAND may be adjusted according to the individual needs of the patient. If weight loss slows down, the band can be tightened, making the opening between the pouch and the rest of the stomach smaller, resulting in a longer lasting feeling of fullness after eating. The adjustment is made using a port that is implanted under the skin in the abdomen. By adding saline, the band is tightened. Most patients require 4-6 adjustments the first year.

How Much Weight Do Methodist Hospitals Center for Weight Loss Surgery Patients Lose?
No one can predict how much weight you will lose. However, a typical person who has had Gastric Bypass can expect to lose 66 – 88% of their excess body weight within the first 2 years after surgery.

A LAP-BAND patient can lose 50 – 60% of their excess body weight within the first 2 years after surgery.

It's not just the weight you lose; it's the new life you can begin to live. You will feel better, be more active, and healthier! And that is the most important result of Bariatric Surgery! Once you shed those excess pounds, you may also find that you are relieved of the chronic ailments that you experienced before joining our program.

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The Process of Methodist Hospitals Center for Weight Loss Surgery Comprehensive Program

Pre-Operative Process

To begin Methodist Hospitals Center for Weight Loss Surgery Program, you will be given an application to complete. This application will ask for information regarding:

• medical history
• current medications
• diet history
• insurance information

Once your profile has been reviewed our staff will work with you to:

• Begin the pre-determination process with your insurance company
• Prove medical necessity
• Obtain medical records, documentation of physician-supervised weight loss, psychological profile, and letters from physicians may be required.
• Once these initial steps are completed, you will begin our comprehensive program, which includes these steps:

Psychological Evaluation
This is required of all patients. It can be done by our staff, your current practitioner, or an MD/Ph.D. that is covered by your insurance plan.

Pre-surgical testing
This is done prior to your visit with the surgeon and may include lab work and imaging.

Educational Classes
There are four educational classes for the Methodist Hospitals Center for Weight Loss Surgery patients who are having gastric bypass. Two of the classes are instructed by the Bariatric Coordinator who will explain the program and what is expected of the patient. The other two classes are lead by our staff dietician who will detail the changes to expect before and after surgery, as well as items such as shopping lists, how to prepare foods etc. All four classes are mandatory.

If you are a LAP-BAND patient, there is one three-hour class also instructed by the Bariatric Coordinator and a Dietician. It covers the same information but details some unique items to the LAP-BAND surgery.

Support Group
The Support Group meets the first Tuesday of every month. This group is an open forum for patient discussion and additional education. The groups are run by the Bariatric Coordinator but also incorporate medical nutrition, spiritual care, physical therapy, and psychological information. This group meets at 6 p.m. at our Southlake Campus Auditorium, 8701 Broadway, Merrillville, IN.

Post-Operative Process

Gastric Bypass Post-Operative Care
Laparoscopic or open, most patients who have had gastric-bypass surgery begin . . .

• A liquid diet the day after surgery
• A pureed diet about two weeks after that and a soft diet in approximately a month after surgery.
• A daily multi-vitamin with iron and calcium supplements for life.
• First post-operative visit is usually 10 days following surgery.
• Office visits are usually scheduled every two months until weight loss is stabilized.
• Periodic lab work is performed.
• Medical follow-up is usually twice per year

LAP-BAND Post-Operative Care
If you have had the Lap Band, you can expect:

• Discharge on same day or day after surgery
• Clear liquids on same day
• Full liquids for two weeks
• Pureed diet for two weeks
• Multivitamin and calcium supplements
• Initial adjustment at around week six

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Meet our Surgeons

Paul J. Stanish, M.D. Dr. Stanish is a general surgeon who has been trained in and performs the most advanced surgical applications for patients who suffer from morbid or severe obesity; open and laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery and LAP-BAND. Dr. Stanish received his medical training at Indiana University School of Medicine. He completed his internship at Methodist Hospital of Indiana, Indianapolis and his internship at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center, Chicago. Dr. Stanish is board certified in General Surgery and has served as Chief of Surgery for Methodist Hospitals, Gary and Merrillville, IN.

Seferino Farias, M.D.
Dr. Farias is a board certified general surgeon who has been trained in and performs open Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery.
Dr. Farias completed medical school at the University of Illinois School of Medicine at Chicago where he also served his internship and residency.
Dr. Farias is also fluent in Spanish.

Staff

Donna Kettle, RN
Bariatric Coordinator
Donna will work with you through the pre and post operative programs to coordinate your individualized plan of care. She instructs the informational seminars, classes, and leads the support groups.

Donna has been with Methodist Hospitals Center for Weight Loss Surgery since it’s inception in 2002.

Chris Wagner
Insurance Coordinator
Chris will coordinate your initial insurance pre-determination. She will work with you to obtain supporting documentation as required by your insurance company.

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Success Stories

Read about our success stories in the Northwest Indiana Times

December 27, 2004
Weight loss surgery helps Gary woman go from size 26 to 5
View the article at NWItimes.com

December 20, 2004
No longer the subject of fat jokes, Hebron man has last laugh
View the article at NWItimes.com

December 6, 2004
Weight loss surgery helps Gary woman shed 213 pounds
View the article at NWItimes.com

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Classes & Seminars

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Can gastric-bypass surgery be reversed?
A. Yes. The procedure is intended to be a permanent change, but because the stomach is bypassed, not removed, surgeons can undo the pouch if medically necessary.

Q. Will I need plastic surgery?
A. Many factors influence the need for plastic surgery, for example starting weight, the amount of weight lost, location of the excess weight and age. Younger patients have a greater amount of skin elasticity and therefore are less likely to need plastic surgery.

Q. Will I have gallstone complications?
A. Weight loss and diet can promote the production of gallstones. A small percentage of patients develop gallstones after weight loss surgery. Gallbladder ultrasounds are routinely done prior to gastric bypass surgery.

Q. Can I become pregnant after gastric-bypass surgery?
A. Yes, you can become pregnant after your weight loss has stabilized. You must use birth control until this time. Becoming pregnant too soon can be extremely dangerous to both the woman and the unborn baby.

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