Clarian News and Updates

We sent out this information earlier in the week, and I wanted to share it with you. We are thrilled at all the changes coming to Clarian Bariatrics, and we realize it would not be possible without your continued support! You guys are the best!

Exciting changes are in store for Clarian Bariatrics this summer as the program announced the addition of two full-time surgeons and a move to a new 30,000 square foot outpatient clinic to better accommodate the rapidly growing program, which has experienced double digit growth the past three years.

Dr. Daniel T. McKenna will join the surgical team of Clarian Bariatrics, a designated Center of Excellence by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS), on August 10. Dr. McKenna joins the programs five other bariatric surgeons who completed nearly 400 surgeries at Clarian North Medical Center in 2008.

A Wisconsin native, McKenna comes to Clarian Bariatrics from Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H., where he completed his minimally invasive surgery fellowship. He is a graduate of Creighton University in Omaha, Neb., where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in American Studies and his Doctor of Medicine. McKenna was a categorical resident in general surgery at the University of Utah and the University of Wisconsin.

In April, Dr. Jack Ditslear joined the Clarian Bariatrics staff full-time after working on a part-time basis with the program since its launch in 2004. A Noblesville native, Dr. Ditslear graduated with honors in chemistry at Miami University of Ohio and then graduated from the Indiana University School of Medicine. He completed his general surgery residency at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. Dr. Ditslear carries a vast amount of experience in bariatric surgery. He is a member of the American Society of Bariatric and Metabolic Surgeons, and is also accredited as a Bariatric Center of Excellence Surgeon by the Surgical Review Corporation. Additionally, Dr. Ditslear is certified by the American Board of Surgery and is on the teaching staff for the Indiana University General Surgery Residence program. 

“We are thrilled to have Drs. McKenna and Ditslear join the surgery staff at Clarian Bariatrics on a full-time basis,” Jonathan Goble, FACHE, President & CEO of Clarian North Medical Center, said. “The addition of these two skilled surgeons will aid in the successful implementation of many exciting programs.”

Among those initiatives is the launch of a non-surgical division for the weight loss program and an adolescent bariatric program. In addition, an exercise program championed by Erin Light, a certified personal trainer, will begin in August and provide patients an educational approach to personally-tailored exercise programs. Also, William Hilgendorf, PhD, Manager of Bariatric Behavioral Health, has implemented a behavioral program that will increase the coping skills of post-operative patients and improve patient outcomes.

These new patient support opportunities fit with the already established and popular weekly support groups and quarterly cooking classes. Programs like these have led Clarian Bariatrics to be nationally recognized as a robust program that enjoys some of the best weight loss outcomes in effectiveness and durability.

Due to the ongoing program growth, the Clarian Bariatrics outpatient clinic will move from its current location in building 11 of Intech Park to a 30,000 square foot space in building 10 of Intech Park, located on the northwest side of Indianapolis. This move will provide staff with more exam rooms, dedicated exercise rooms and additional meeting space for support groups and the non-surgical weight loss program.

“The growth our program has experienced over the past five years has been remarkable and humbling,” Samer Mattar, MD, FACS, Medical Director of Clarian Bariatrics, said. “Our staff, surgeons and patients have helped us create a unique program that is only beginning to reach its full potential.”

Another interesting read from the Advisory Board. Highlights are below:

Total health care expenditures for the nation’s obese adult population increased by more than 80 percent between 2001 and 2006 to reach $303.1 billion, according to a statistical brief from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Based on data from the agency’s Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, the report also found that mean annual health care expenditures for obese adults increased from $3,458 in 2001 to $5,148 in 2006 and that the proportion of total health care expenditures attributed to obese adults increased from 28.1 percent to 35.3 percent, while the proportion of spending attributed to normal-weight adults decreased from 35 percent to 30.3 percent.

According to the report, the number of obese adults—defined as individuals with a body mass index of or above 30—grew by almost 11 million between 2001 and 2006, rising from 48.2 million to 58.9 million people. In addition, in both 2001 and 2006, the country’s adult obese population had the highest proportion of individuals reporting at least one chronic condition—including diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure, ischemic heart disease, stroke, emphysema, and arthritis—at 57.1 percent and 59.7 percent, respectively.

...With the exception of Colorado—which had an obesity rate of 18.5 percent—all states in 2008 had obesity rates of at least 20 percent. Mississippi had the highest rate, at 32.8 percent, followed by Alabama, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia, which all had obesity rates of at least 30 percent. Illustrating the “dramatic increase” in the nation’s obese population, the CDC highlighted data from a 1990 survey indicating that at that time, no states had an obesity rate of 15 percent or higher.

Noting that obesity is a major risk factor for several chronic diseases, the director of the CDC’s division of nutrition, physical activity, and obesity says that “among all age groups, we are seeing chronic diseases in much younger adults compared to a few decades ago,” adding that some young adults now suffer from risk factors for heart disease and type 2 diabetes, conditions that were “unheard of in the past.”

Are you ready to break the cycle of failed weight loss plans and finally experience sustainable and effective weight loss through the use of bariatric surgery? Then join us at a FREE informational seminar in Indianapolis or at other locations throughout Indiana. We are here to help you. Click on the image at the right of this post to view upcoming dates and to get registered.

I found this article on the Advisory Board Web site and found the statistics very startling. Unfortunately, I cannot link you to the full article, but the highlights are below. Please feel free to leave me a comment if you have any questions about medically supervised weight loss for your and your family.

The number of hospitalizations among children between the ages of 2 and 19 with a primary or secondary diagnosis of obesity nearly doubled from 21,743 in 1999 to 42,429 in 2005, even though obesity prevalence held relatively steady across that timeframe, according to a study published on the Health Affairs website.

...Moreover, the data showed a statistically significant increase in the number of obesity-related hospitalizations for a number of conditions, among them asthma, diabetes, pneumonia, appendicitis, and skin and subcutaneous tissue infections. Examining the economic consequence of childhood obesity, the researchers found that total costs for children with obesity-related hospitalizations rose to $237.6 million in 2005—up from $125.9 million in 2001, measured in 2005 dollars.

...Commenting on their findings, the researchers advise interpreting the results “with caution,” given that the analysis relied on physician and provider diagnoses of obesity—which are “a product of clinical judgment and reimbursement by hospital payers and [are] subject to inaccuracy”—rather than a fixed definition of obesity.

In addition, they speculate that some of the increase in the number of hospitalizations involving a childhood obesity diagnosis could stem from increased recognition of the condition, rather than acceleration in obesity’s contribution to other medical conditions. Regardless, the authors write, the study “suggests that obesity has a much more immediate impact on the health of children, especially adolescents, than previously understood.” Saying that the findings reinforce the importance of obesity prevention efforts, the researchers call for additional federal support of anti-obesity programs to reduce the condition and its social and economic costs.

The entire staff at staff would like to take a moment to thank you for choosing Clarian Bariatrics to provide your care.  As a weight loss surgery patient do you know someone who has an interest in learning more about bariatric surgery and the lifestyle changes it brings? 

We would like to invite you and your interested guest to visit our booth at the Indiana State Fair on August 14 and 15 located in the Clarian Healthy Lifestyles pavilion.  If you bring a copy of this blog post, along with an interested guest to our booth between the hours of 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., you will both receive a free gift!

Our staff will be there to answer any questions and provide assistance to anyone interested in our program.  When you stop by don’t forget to try a bariatric friendly food sample made with Red Gold products! 

We would also like to share that Clarian Bariatrics is forming a walking team for First Lady Cherie Daniels' Heartland Walk for Health on August 15. If you are interested in joining our team leave your name, phone number and your t-Shirt size with Paula at 317-275-7014 before July 27, 2009.  Your information will be related to our team captain who will contact you regarding registration.

See you at the Great Indiana State Fair!

The following factors will be considered in determining if you are a candidate for bariatric surgery:

• You have tried to lose weight by changing your eating habits and exercise and are still severely obese.
• You are unable to perform routine daily activities without being seriously affected.
• You understand the procedure and the lifestyle changes you will need to make after bariatric surgery.
• You are motivated to make a lifelong behavioral commitment that includes well-balanced meals and physical exercise.
• You understand that this surgery won't solve all your problems, but can make you healthier -- and probably much happier.

Before patients undergo surgery for morbid obesity, they must qualify for our bariatrics program. Our basic program guidelines are:

• Being 100 pounds or more over your "ideal body weight," according to the established weight charts.
• Having a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 40 with no co-morbidities or greater than 35 with serious co-morbidities.
• Being able and willing to make the necessary lifestyle changes.

Learn more by attending a FREE informational session. Sessions are held at Clarian Bariatrics' Indianapolis location and include discussions with surgeons and weight loss specialists about the types of bariatric surgery - including Lap Band and Gastric Bypass - and the costs associated with surgery. Visit our Web site for more information and for dates and times.

Bariatric surgery is now accepted as the best and most effective treatment for morbid obesity. About 65 percent of all bariatric surgery patients are able to lose their excess weight and keep it off for more than five years.

When you consider that only approximately two percent of nonsurgical treatment patients are able to lose and keep off their weight for more than a year, you can appreciate these surgical results.

Health problems resolved or improved after surgery:

•     86 percent diabetes
•     70 percent high cholesterol
•     78 percent high blood pressure
•     84 percent sleep apnea

Expected weight loss (weight loss occurs for 18-24 months after surgery — mostly in first year):

•     Lap-band surgery — 40-48 percent excess weight loss (national avg. = 47 percent)
•     Gastric bypass surgery — 65-80 percent excess weight loss (national avg. = 62 percent)
•     Duodenal switch — excess weight loss (national avg. = 70 percent)

Learn more about how weight loss surgery can change your life, by attending a FREE Indianapolis surgical weight loss seminar. Dates and times can be found by clicking on the image at the right of this page.

Just a reminder that we are holding a FREE informational seminar at Clarian Bariatrics today at 10 a.m. Even if you didn't get a chance to pre-register, you can still stop by and meet our Indianapolis bariatric surgeons and staff.

At the seminar, you can also learn more about bariatric surgery costs, the bariatric surgery process and the different procedures including gastric bypass and Lap-Band. And, you can bring as many support people along as you like.

The seminar will be held at our Indianapolis location at 6625 Network Way, Suite 100. See you there!

f you are wondering if bariatric surgery is right for you then attend this FREE surgical weight loss seminar.  Attendees can meet Indianapolis bariatric surgeons and staff members as well as former patients and learn about the many benefits of weight loss surgery.

At Clarian Bariatrics we know it is important to have a strong support group, so please feel free to bring as many people as you would like.

This seminar will be held at our Indianapolis location: 6625 Network Way, Suite 100, Indianapolis. Please RSVP by visiting this Web site.  If you have additional questions, please call 317-275-7010 or toll free at 877-275-2555 or by e-mail at bariatric@clarian.org.

From their very first visit at Clarian Bariatrics, all patients receive extensive education about the incidence of obesity, the presumed causes of the epidemic rise in obesity, the medical, psychological, social and economic consequences of obesity, and the keys to maintained successful weight loss. These educational sessions are conducted by physicians, nurses, nutritionists, psychologists and other experts.

The sessions are also attended by former patients who provide a personal perspective of their experience and describe the challenges they faced after weight loss. Attendees are also provided with a tour of the facility and are given numerous references for further research.

At about two weeks prior to surgery, patients attend a "preoperative visit," during which the major technical aspects of the operation are discussed, in addition to the required preparation at home, the details of the hospital stay and tips on how to optimize recovery at home.

The educational process continues through into the postoperative period. At each postoperative encounter, patients are seen by a physician and a nutritionist. These meetings are valuable opportunities for continued reinforcement of feeding and lifestyle guidelines. We adhere to the principle that all our efforts are essentially a form of behavior modification, and we understand that success is only gained through repetition and progressive cultivation and strengthening of our relationships with each individual patient.

Have you been wondering if weight loss surgery is right for you? Then consider joining us at a FREE informational seminar! At the session you can learn about bariatric weight loss options (gastric bypass or Lap Band among others) and about bariatric surgery costs.

Indianapolis bariatric surgeons and staff will be on hand to answer your questions and you are welcomed to bring as many support people along as you would like. Visit this Web site to find a date that works well for you. We can't wait to meet you! 

Clarian Bariatrics is composed of staff and surgeons who specialize in the advanced surgical treatment of clinically severe obesity, a condition recognized by medical authorities as a major health problem in the United States today. In fact, obesity is the second leading cause of preventable death in the United States, surpassed only by cigarette smoking.

The surgeons of Clarian Bariatrics are highly skilled, experienced professionals backed by the vast network of Clarian specialists, affording you the latest in proven medical techniques. These include laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery, resulting in shorter hospital stays; advanced pain management techniques; and long-term support and follow-up. Patients can and do achieve major weight loss, a healthful and vigorous body and long-term weight control.

Want to learn more? Then join us at an upcoming FREE informational seminar. Click here to learn about upcoming seminar dates.

If you are a post-operative patient at Clarian Bariatrics then you have probably heard about our special reunion event at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Friday. I am so excited that we will have so many of our success stories together in one location!

If you are coming tomorrow, please remember that we will be doing a support group at 3 p.m. and John Barnes will be joining us for a quick talk. You can also learn more about the bariatric pit crew concept and, of course, enjoy watching the race cars practice!

The event will be rain or shine, and I cannot wait to see all of you! 

“The support of family, friends and medical professionals is crucial to the success of patients,” Samer Mattar, MD, FACS, Medical Director for Clarian Bariatrics, said. “It is important that these individuals understand that morbid obesity is a disease and they can be part of the treatment through positive thinking before and after the procedure.”

The comparisons between car racing and bariatric surgery are plenty. Think of the patient as a car in disrepair. A surgeon – or mechanic – can come in and fix the inside to improve function, but without dieticians – or fuel specialists - to provide proper education the work would be for naught.  Additionally, exercise consultants and psychologists need to be available to help the patient adjust to a new life and habits, just as the tire changer rotates wheels for optimal performance.

Similar to race car drivers, patients are members of a team, which includes other post-surgical patients. It is essential that individuals regularly participate in team building exercises, like support groups and cooking classes, as a way to share struggles and success stories. They can also rely on their friends and family as their cheering section.

Mattar suggests that patients should attend at least four support group sessions each year post surgery, meet with a family physician regularly and visit with his or her weight loss surgeon at least once a year depending on how long the person has been post-operative.

“Just as if a patient owned a race car, they should regularly visit with ‘mechanics,’ undergo maintenance checks and get tune-ups if needed,” he said. “This way, potential problems are diagnosed early and any difficulties that a patient may have, whether medical, mental, social, financial, domestic or spiritual, can be addressed.”

Click on the "Victories at the Track" image at the top right to learn more about the pit crew concept.

In motorsports, drivers schedule a series of pit stops during a race for refueling, new tires, repairs, mechanical adjustments or any other needs. Up to 20 individuals can be members of a pit crew, and these individuals are essential to a driver’s continued success.

Pit stops are part of an overall strategy for the racing team that allows the cars to carry less fuel - making them lighter and faster - and allows for the use of softer tires that wear faster but provide better grip on the track. Without these constant check-ups, the multi-million dollar cars would not function properly and victory would be impossible.

The pit stop/pit crew metaphor can also be applied to bariatric surgery patients who need to have an active support system in place to ensure that the initial weight loss they experience is sustainable throughout a lifetime.

During the month of May, Clarian Bariatrics is encouraging all current and former weight loss surgery patients to determine who is in their pit crew, connect with other post-surgical patients via a support group or visit their surgeon for a “pit stop” to make certain everything is still on track.

Click on the "Victories at the Track" image to the left to learn more about the pit crew concept and check back next week for more info on why having a pit crew is so important to success!

If you have been considering bariatric surgery, but have questions about bariatric surgery costs, types of procedures (gastric bypass or Lap-Band) or Indianapolis Bariatric Doctors, then consider joining us at two FREE informational seminars around the Indianapolis area.

On Thursday evening, Clarian Bariatrics staff will be holding two seminars:  one at our Indianapolis location (6625 Network Way, Indianapolis) and one at Clarian Health Cicero (1160 South Peru Street, Ind. 19, Cicero). Now is your chance to have all your questions about weight loss surgery answered by medical professionals!

Please feel free to bring as many individuals with you as you would like as a solid support system is crucial to a successful outcome. Learn more and register by clicking on the image at the top right of this page or by visiting ACallToChange.org.

I am so excited to make an upcoming announcement to our patients. You should all be receiving a letter in the mail in the next few days inviting you to an extra special event on May 15.

I don't want to give too much away right now, but mark you calendars now for May 15...you won't want to miss out!

If you are not currently a patient of Clarian Bariatrics, we'd still like to meet you and help you reach your goals. Do you have a question about weight loss surgery, Indiana Hospitals, bariatric surgery costs or causes of obesity? Then join us at a FREE informational seminar. Just click on the photo at the top of this page for more info!

Join your friends at Clarian Bariatrics on Saturday as we hold a FREE informational seminar for individuals wanting to learn more about bariatric surgery costs, causes of obesity, Indianapolis bariatric centers and surgical weight loss options including gastric bypass and the Lap Band.

This session will be held at our Indianapolis location (6625 Network Way, Suite 100, Indianapolis) at 10 a.m. Support is essential to success, so we encourage you to bring as many individuals along as you wish.

If you have questions, please call us at 317-275-7010 or toll free at 877-275-2555. See you there!

We posted a similar article a few months ago when the data was first released, but it seems like the idea is certainly gaining traction. Click here to read the full text from The New York Times.

Would you like to learn more about health problems with obesity, bariatric surgery centers or Indianapolis bariatrics? Then join us at a FREE information session. Click the image at the top right of this page to learn more.