Center for Surgical Treatment of Obesity at St. Mary Medical Center
As a Center of Excellence, the Center for Surgical Treatment of Obesity at St. Mary Medical Center has met stringent guidelines and requirements of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). The Center is staffed by highly respected and skilled bariatric surgeons with over 35 years of experience and a multidisciplinary team that ensures that our program is safe and comprehensive. The decision to opt to have bariatric (weight loss) surgery should not be taken lightly. Please contact the Center to schedule a free orientation to learn more about the options available.
St. Mary Medical Center
Center for Surgical Treatment of Obesity
432 East 10th Street
Long Beach, CA 90813
(562) 491-7935
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
Free Monthly Information Seminars:
- Every second Tuesday of the Month
7:00 pm, St. Mary campus, Health Enhancement Center
1055 Linden Avenue, Long Beach 90813
Free Monthly Support Groups
- Provides an opportunity for patients and those awaiting surgery to work through challenges and to celebrate others’ success.
- Held every second Saturday – 11:00 am in the Health Enhancement Center on the St. Mary campus at 1055 Linden Avenue in Long Beach.
- Held every third Saturday – 11:00 am at the Hilton Garden Inn, 12603 Mariposa Road in Victorville, CA.
Obesity an Underestimated Medical Problem
No other medical condition has been as misunderstood as obesity. Severe obesity or morbid obesity, has become an increasingly common and serious problem that negatively impacts individuals on many levels.
Medical: Diabetes, hypertension, sleep disorders, arthritis, etc.
Social: Clothing limitations, poor hygiene, limited access, sexual difficulties
Economic: Cost of weight loss options, medical conditions, difficulty obtaining employment and high cost of food
Psychiatric: Depression, social withdrawal, self-loathing, low self-esteem
The Center offers the latest and proven surgical weight loss procedures to help patients meet their weight loss goals. Patients are invited to an orientation prior to surgery where eligibility for bariatric surgery is determined and education is provided about the procedures which the Center offers. Many insurance plans now cover weight loss surgery and the Center’s Program Manager can assist you through the approval process.
Potential patients must meet the Body Mass Index (BMI) requirements and/or have health issues to qualify for surgery. Additionally, patients must undergo extensive screenings which includes a bariatric consultation, a psychosocial evaluation, nutritional assessment, lab work and a cardiology clearance.
Bariatric Surgery: Is it Worth It?
Patients who have undergone bariatric surgery generally agree that it was worth it. Many have lost over 100 pounds in the first year following surgery. As the weight comes off, health challenges such as diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol, sleep apnea and bone stress aches in the knees and back improve. Diabetic patients typically no longer need insulin or diabinese. Tummies, legs and arms shrink. Wedding bands fit once again. With the amazing physical changes also come amazing personality changes and increase in self-esteem. The changes patients undergo have been compared to rebirth – patients get a second chance for a new life!
Our caring, professional and support surgical weight loss team can assist you in making the right surgical choice and get you back to enjoying a healthy and fulfilling life!
Adjustable Gastric Banding: This is a minimally invasive procedure where an adjustable silicone band is inserted around the upper part of the stomach. This creates a new, smaller upper stomach pouch and leaves the larger part of the stomach below. An access port allows the surgeon to adjust the opening by adding or removing saline. Patients feel fuller sooner and eat less at each meal.
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Gastric Bypass: This is the gold standard for obesity surgical treatment with greater than 70% success with greater than 50% weight loss for more than five years. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies, as well as anemia, are just a few of the potential shortcomings.
Fobi Pouch (Banded Gastric Bypass): This is a modification of the Gastric Bypass which involves placement of a silastic ring around the pouch of the gastric bypass with the ring acting as the controlling stoma, or opening. This modification results in a greater than 90% success rate with longer weight loss maintenance.
Gastric Sleeve: The vertical sleeve gastrectomy is a restrictive form of weight loss surgery in which approximately 85% of the stomach is removed leaving a cylindrical or sleeve shaped stomach. While the stomach is drastically reduced in size, its function is preserved. The sleeve gastrectomy is not reversible. Because the new stomach continues to function normally there are far fewer restrictions on the foods which patients can consume after surgery, albeit that the quantity of food eaten will be considerably reduced.
