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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
West Suburban Surgeon Performs LAP-BAND Surgery with Only One Incision
Oak Park, Ill. (April 21, 2009) – A bariatric surgeon at West Suburban Medical Center performed in March the first laparoscopic gastric band (LAP-BAND®) procedure at the hospital with just a single incision, as opposed to six cuts – minimizing scarring and pain, and promoting a faster recovery time.
Gaynell Dillard of Chicago’s Avalon Park neighborhood is one of the first patients in the Chicago area to undergo a single-incision laparascopic surgery (SILS) for LAP-BAND. Fred Tiesenga, M.D., section chief, bariatric surgery, performed the 35-minute surgical weight-loss procedure and was pleased with the results.
“This is another step in the advancement of surgery without scarring,” said Dr. Tiesenga, who has performed more than 400 surgical weight-loss procedures since 2002. “Our patients are ecstatic because there is dramatically less scarring and better cosmetic results.”
Bariatric surgery is becoming increasingly important because more than 11 million people in the United State suffer from severe obesity, and the numbers continue to increase. Individuals who are severely overweight are at increased risk for developing diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, joint problems, heart disease and other risks.
Dr. Tiesenga said using a single incision for LAP-BAND will improve patient outcomes with less pain, a shorter recovery time and lower chance of hernias and infection because of fewer cuts. With the single-incision surgery, there is one scar, one to two inches in length, rather than a total of six cuts on the abdomen.
“I am happy I won’t have many scars,” said Dillard, 38, who was about 100 pounds overweight. Dillard, who has a thyroid condition and high blood pressure, said she experienced some pain after surgery, but is now feeling better. She is back to work as an office manager for a social services organization and also has returned to her college classes.
To date, Dr. Tiesenga has performed about 50 SILS for gallbladder, appendix and hernia – and now has added LAP-BAND to the list.
During Dillard’s procedure, Dr. Tiesenga used a new special needle-type liver retractor, an instrument that holds the liver out of the way during surgery. The surgeon simply makes a puncture wound into the stomach to insert the liver retractor, rather than another incision. He then inserts a video camera through a single incision, or port site, near the belly button to perform the surgery.
With the LAP-BAND procedure, an adjustable band is fastened around the upper stomach to create a new, tiny stomach pouch. As a result, patients feel full sooner and consume smaller amounts of food. To optimize weight loss, the band can be adjusted through the port site in follow-up office visits to the doctor.
“I’m taking control of my health and extending my life term,” said Dillard, about why she decided to have surgery. Dillard lost 10 pounds prior to the procedure, and another 10 pounds after surgery, which required an overnight hospital stay. She will continue on a liquid diet until mid-April and have the LAP-BAND adjusted in late April.
“We’ll try to do single-incision surgery for all LAP-BAND procedures, but the abdominal wall is thick and we may not be able to perform it on all patients,” said Dr. Tiesenga, who teaches physicians from around the Midwest on single-incision surgery.
Launched in 2002, West Suburban’s program provides patients suffering from morbid obesity with treatment and support needed to lose excess weight and keep it off. The center offers a comprehensive approach to weight loss and weight management for patients ages 18 and up. The center offers LAP-BAND and laparoscopic gastric bypass procedures.
In fall 2008, the program was fully accredited as a Center of Excellence by the Bariatric Surgery Center Network (BSCN) Accreditation Program of the American College of Surgeons. West Suburban’s program is one of only three BSCN-accredited facilities in the Chicagoland area to be recognized as a Center of Excellence.
For information about West Suburban’s bariatric program, call 708-763-NEWU (6398) or visit our website.
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About West Suburban
West Suburban Medical Center is a member of Resurrection Health Care. Ranked in the nation’s top 20 “Best Places to Work in Healthcare” by Modern Healthcare magazine, Resurrection Health Care is a family of health care services providing advanced medical care and exceptional customer service with compassion and hope. Our hospitals, nursing homes, retirement communities, home health services, behavioral health programs and numerous outpatient services are conveniently located in many Chicagoland neighborhoods.
Resurrection Health Care is a not-for-profit Catholic organization sponsored by the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth and the Sisters of the Resurrection.
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