Archive for About Us
The Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy
Posted by: | CommentsLexington Herald Leader/LMS
John S. Oldham, Jr., MD, FACS, FASMBS
Bluegrass Bariatric Surgical Associates
Medical Director of Bariatric Surgery at Central Baptist Hospital]
December 4, 2011
According to the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, two thirds of Americans are overweight and 100 million or more Americans are obese. Morbid obesity is defined as having a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 35, or being about 80 lbs. or more overweight. Kentucky is currently the sixth most obese state in the nation, with an obesity rate greater than 35%. In addition to a decreased life expectancy, increased risk of heart disease and cancer, and overall decreased quality of life, morbid obesity is associated with multiple illnesses such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obstructive sleep apnea, arthritis, and fertility problems to name a few.
For select motivated patients, weight loss surgery (bariatric surgery) provides a tool to patients that can result in improved quality of life and resolution or improvement in many of these medical problems.
Although most people are familiar with gastric bypass and maybe even adjustable gastric bands such as the LapBand®, there is now a relatively new procedure called The Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG) that has revolutionized weight loss surgery.
The VSG is an important new tool in weight loss surgery because it results in weight loss similar to gastric bypass 1) without a lot of the short- and long-term complications of gastric bypass and 2) without the need for a foreign body band or adjustments as with adjustable gastric banding. The name “Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy” is misleading in that no “sleeve” is placed. Rather, through small laparoscopic incisions, the outer 85% of the stomach is surgically removed turning the stomach from a large storage reservoir into a small tube, about the size of a banana. Patients are left with their own stomachs, but now holding only 10% of what a normal stomach would hold. The natural connections of the stomach to the esophagus and to the small intestine are left undisturbed. There is no re-routing of the intestines or foreign bodies. The procedure takes about an hour and patients usually stay in the hospital 1-2 days and can return to full activities within three weeks.
Initially, the VSG was designed as a first step procedure in high risk patients. The VSG has since been performed as a primary weight loss surgery for about 8 years in the United States and is recognized as an appropriate weight loss surgery procedure by the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. The VSG is a covered benefit by the vast majority of insurers that cover bariatric surgery and is an offered procedure by all the Bariatric Programs in the Greater Lexington area.
For more information on VSG, contact Central Baptist Surgical Weight Loss Center today!
Central Baptist Hospital Named Top Quality Performer in the U.S.
Posted by: | CommentsCentral Baptist Hospital has been named one of the nation’s top performers on key quality measures by The Joint Commission, the leading accreditor of health care organizations in America. We are being recognized by The Joint Commission for outstanding evidence-based clinical processes that are shown to improve care for certain conditions, including heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia and surgical care.
Central Baptist is the only hospital in Kentucky recognized in all four categories, and is one of only 405 U.S. hospitals (the top 14%) earning the distinction. No other Lexington hospital was recognized in any category.
This achievement is based on performance data reported to The Joint Commission during the previous calendar year. As a top performing hospital, Central Baptist Hospital earned 95% or above on all performance targets.
We understand that what matters most to our patients is quality care and that is why we voluntarily provide performance data to The Joint Commission. We have made a commitment to accreditation and to positive patient outcomes. Central Baptist is honored to be named to this prestigious list of The Joint Commission’s Top Performers.
Thank you for your dedication to delivering outstanding patient care. It is only through your extraordinary efforts every day, with every patient that we have achieved this incredible distinction.
Find out more about Central Baptist Hospital Surgical Weight Loss Center by visiting us today! If you’d like more information on our services, please give us a call.
Start Your Journey
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You’ve met us, now we’d like you to come in to Central Baptist Hospital Surgical Weight Loss Center and Start Your Journey!
Your new beginning starts here:
1. Attend a free informational seminar:
You’ll meet one of our surgeons; learn the facts about obesity and the surgical options for treating obesity. We’ll talk about risks and benefits, lifestyle changes, diet and exercise. You’ll meet our insurance team, and you can ask questions about insurance coverage, your financial obligations, and requirements for surgery.
• Click here to register for a seminar
2. Submit a patient information packet:
This packet gives our team vital medical, psychological and nutritional history. The packet also provides crucial insurance and financial information. We must have a completed packet to schedule your first appointment. We ask that you call your insurance provider, even if it’s Medicare, and learn about the requirements to educate yourself on your benefits. We’ve provided a form that will assist you with that phone call.
3. Make financial arrangements:
All insurance providers require their members to pay a small portion of the cost of healthcare services. Please be prepared to meet the financial obligations necessary for bariatric benefits, even if you have insurance coverage. This is elective surgery. To learn about the deductible, co-payments and out-of-pocket expenses required by your insurance provider please call the customer service number on the back of your insurance identification card and ask the questions on the insurance review form. If you don’t have bariatric benefits or choose to pay for the surgery yourself, please be aware that the following fee schedule does not include the cost of diagnostic testing such as lab work, X-Rays and other studies necessary to prepare you for surgery. Nor does it include follow-up more than 90 days after surgery.
If you’d like more information on how Central Baptist Hospital Surgical Weight Loss Center can help you, give us a call today!
Meet Our Team
Posted by: | CommentsOur Weight Loss Center Team
Our Weight Loss Center Coordinator
Sabrina Gary has been a devoted member of the Central Baptist Hospital team for 10 years. Her career as a health unit coordinator began in the post-open heart surgery unit, where Sabrina facilitated every aspect of patient care as ordered by surgeons, nurses, cardiologists, anesthesiologists, nephrologists, and many other specialists. Sabrina also provided bedside care and obtained her Nursing Assistant Certification during this time. Later Sabrina cared for some of our most compromised patients, those in renal failure. She spent nearly 8 years in the Acute Hemodialysis Unit as the Health Unit Coordinator and obtained her Certification as a Dialysis Technician during that tenure.
Sabrina joined the staff of the Weight Loss Surgery Program in May of 2008, eager to help men and women lead a healthier life through the benefits of weight-loss surgery. As our office coordinator, Sabrina will help you navigate your journey by guiding you through your appointments and consults, labs and classes. Right up to the day of surgery and for every post-op visit, Sabrina is here for you.
Our Program Coordinator
Angie Ketron, BS, RN has a nursing diploma from the Christ Hospital School of Nursing in Cincinnati, Ohio and a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Kentucky. She has been practicing nursing for 15 years with 10 years in peri-operative care, most recently specializing in weight-loss surgery. As the program coordinator, Angie oversees the multi-disciplinary team of professionals dedicated to the care of weight-loss surgery patients and devotes many hours to educating our patients on every aspect of weight-loss surgery. Angie’s goal, and the goal of the entire team, is to provide a comfortable path for patients on their journey to a healthier life through weight loss surgery.
Our Clinical Psychologists
Dr. Perry Brown is Licensed Clinical Psychologist who has his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Kentucky and a Masters degree from City College of New York. He has been practicing psychology for over 30 years, and currently specializes in the field of bariatrics. He has performed over 4000 pre-surgical psychological evaluations in the last 6 years. His clinical experience includes psychotherapy with adults and children, psychological testing, consultation and adult education. In recent years, he has specialized in working with people with eating disorders.
Dr. Jennifer L Scott, PsyD, is also a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and obtained both her MS and her doctorate from Antioch New England Graduate school in New Hampshire. Dr. Scott has been practicing in Kentucky for approximately 4 years. Dr. Scott’s interest in weight loss surgery patients stems from her use of the biopsychosocial framework, an area of health psychology which integrates the body and the mind. Dr. Scott also has a private practice here in Lexington counseling children, adolescents and adults. Read Dr. Scott’s bio in full.
*the physicians found on this website are independent contractors and not employees or agents of the hospital.
Our Fitness and Wellness Coordinator
Diane Sutton is the Fitness and Wellness Coordinator for Central Baptist Hospital and the Weight Loss Surgery Center. Diane has more than 20 years experience through the YMCA program and CBH. She is an American College Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer specializing in weight manament programs. You will meet Diane at our support group meetings the first Saturday of every month at Fitness Express; and you can schedule individual consultations with Diane and arrange for her to help you track your weight loss and reach your goals. To learn more about HealthWorx go to www.centralbap.com and click on Community Education.
Meet Our Surgeons
Posted by: | CommentsG. Derek Weiss, MD, FACS, FASMBS
Dr. G. Derek Weiss is the Director of Weight Loss Surgery at Central Baptist Hospital in Lexington, Ky. He graduated with high honors from Ivy League Dartmouth College where he majored in biochemistry, played varsity tennis, and was a member of Alpha Chi Alpha fraternity. He then graduated from The University of Louisville School of Medicine with honors, finishing in the top 10% of his class and was elected to and joined the elite Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society. He completed his surgical training (residency) at the prestigious Emory University surgery program in Atlanta, where he worked under Dr. John Hunter, a renowned leader in advanced laparoscopy and previous president of the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES).
Dr. Weiss then gained extensive hands-on experience in laparoscopic bariatric surgery perroting as a partner with the busy and successful practice in New Orleans before returning to his home state to become lead surgeon and co-director of the bariatric surgery program at Georgetown Community Hospital.
Dr. Weiss, a Louisville native, is a member of many professional organizations, including the American Society of Bariatric Surgeons, American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, Kentucky Medical Association, Lexington Medical Society, Jefferson County Medical Association, Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons, Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES), and the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society.
In 2007, Bluegrass Bariatric Surgical Associates partnered with Central Baptist Hospital in Lexington, Ky. to pioneer the most comprehensive weight loss surgery program in Central Kentucky. Two years later, Central Baptist Hospital and Baptist Physicians’ Surgery Center were recognized by the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons and the Surgical Review Corporation as a Center Of Excellence in Bariatric Surgery.
As only one of the Center of Excellence Surgeons at Bluegrass Bariatric Surgical Associates, Dr. Weiss is among the leading minimally invasive bariatric surgeons in the country.
John S. Oldham, Jr., MD
Dr. Oldham is a talented surgeon devoted to providing his patients with the most modern, professional care. He earned his medical degree from the University of Louisville School of Medicine and completed his general surgery residency at the notable Wright State University in Dayton. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Southern Methodist University in Dallas.
Dr. Oldham practiced privately for three years in Central Kentucky before concentrating his advanced laparoscopic skills on bariatric surgery. Dr. Oldham, an Owensboro, Kentucky native, is a member of numerous respectable professional societies including the American Society of Bariatric Surgeons, American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, Kentucky Medical Association, Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons, and the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons.
Combined, Dr. Weiss and Dr. Oldham, Jr. have performed over 3000 minimally invasive weight loss surgeries in Central Kentucky. In 2007, 40% of all patients who had weight loss surgery in Central Kentucky, chose Dr. Weiss and Dr. Oldham, Jr.
To learn more, please attend a free seminar at our Lexington, KY location today!
