New Eisenhower Bariatric Center

Board Certified Surgeon Bobby Bhasker-Rao, MD, FACS, who specializes in advanced laparoscopic and bariatric surgery, performs both gastric bypass surgery and gastric lap-banding procedures at Eisenhower Bariatric Center.

besity plagues millions of Americans. In fact, statistics show that 31 percent of Americans are obese. The damaging health effects associated with obesity include high blood pressure, heart disease, cancer, diabetes and other debilitating health conditions. One of the most proven and effective ways to treat morbid obesity is bariatric surgery — now available at Eisenhower Medical Center.

The first bariatric surgeries were performed at Eisenhower Bariatric Center on October 3. Bariatric surgery refers to a variety of surgical procedures performed to treat cases of morbid obesity. Board Certified Surgeon Bobby Bhasker-Rao, MD, FACS, who specializes in advanced laparoscopic and bariatric surgery, performs both gastric bypass surgery and gastric lap-banding procedures at Eisenhower Bariatric Center.

The National Institutes of Health considers bariatric surgery the gold standard of treatment for morbid obesity. The procedures are recommended only for individuals who are more than 100 pounds overweight and have a body mass index (BMI) of more than 40, or for those who have a BMI (a ratio determined by height and weight) of more than 35 with co-existing health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure.

Eisenhower Bariatric Center offers gastric lap banding, which limits food intake by using an adjustable band to decrease the size of the stomach, and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), which restricts food intake and bypasses a small portion of the digestive tract.

Dr. Bobby, as his patients fondly call him, performs both the gastric lap band and RYGB procedures laparoscopically, using five small incisions through the patient’s abdomen. This minimally invasive approach reduces a patient’s length of stay in the hospital, usually to one or two nights depending on the procedure, and speeds recovery, allowing patients to return to their daily routines in a matter of weeks.

“Surgery is generally the last resort, but it is a safe option for many who are significantly overweight and suffer from numerous health problems,” says Dr. Bobby. “It results in long-term weight loss and improvement or complete resolution of many associated health problems. I am very excited to be a part of the bariatric surgery program here at Eisenhower Medical Center.”

Prior to their surgical consult, patients must attend a seminar that provides information about the surgical options and the post-surgery lifestyle changes necessary to ensure the surgery’s long-term success. Following the surgery, the Eisenhower Bariatric Center provides all patients with ongoing counseling under the direction of Sarah Vazquez, RN, who has recently undergone a successful bariatric surgery. Vazquez works with patients to develop nutrition and exercise programs that will help them adapt to the modifications to their digestive tracts caused by the surgery, and ensure they keep the weight off. Vazquez also leads support group meetings held monthly at Eisenhower for anyone who has had bariatric surgery at Eisenhower or elsewhere.

For more information on the Eisenhower Bariatric Center, or to register for a seminar, please call 760-837-8490.