Obesity surgery center earns U.S. recognition

It wasn't long ago that Greg Nickles couldn't fit in a restaurant booth.
Or sit comfortably on an airplane without a seat belt extension. Or use anything other than the larger, wider handicapped stalls in public restrooms.
Life at 383 pounds was a "constant nightmare" for Nickles, who would often wake up more than 10 times during the night because of his weight-induced sleep apnea.
Then, on June 4, 2004, Nickles' daughter was born - and Nickles underwent gastric bypass surgery the same day and was "reborn," he said.
Three years later and 193 pounds lighter, Nickles is now a distance runner and triathlete who dropped 19 pant sizes and went from wearing XXXL shirts to medium ones. "I had my surgery and never looked back," he said.
Nickles is one of several formerly obese patients who shared their stories Thursday at St. Mark's Hospital, as the hospital celebrated two national accreditations for excellence in bariatric surgery.
The hospital's Center for the Surgical Treatment of Obesity was named a "center of excellence" by the American Society of Bariatric Surgery. It also was recognized by Regence BlueCross BlueShield Association as a "blue distinction center" for bariatric surgery - the only hospital in the state to receive the honor.
The hospital's program underwent a series of inspections and provided
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data on patient outcomes to be considered for the designations.
As a result of the new accreditations, most Medicare patients' bariatric surgeries will now be paid for by the agency. Previously, they had to travel out-of-state to accredited centers to ensure their surgeries were covered.
Patients also can expect a high level of care, said surgeon Rodrick McKinlay, a member of Rocky Mountain Associated Physicians.
Located on the fourth-west floor of the hospital, the Center for the Surgical Treatment of Obesity is equipped with special over-sized chairs, wheelchairs, beds and operating tables to accommodate its patients, McKinlay said. Nurses and technicians also receive sensitivity training to ensure the patients are well treated.
As a "multifactorial" health problem, obesity is typically caused by a combination of environmental and psychological factors, genetics, lifestyle and hormonal imbalances, McKinlay said.
With this in mind, the obesity center not only performs all types of bariatric surgeries for its patients but it also re-educates them on how and what to eat. There are support groups, a newsletter, chat rooms and follow-up visits to try to ensure their success as well, McKinlay said.
Bariatric surgery and follow-up treatment can be life saving for morbidly obese patients, who are more likely to suffer from other health issues such as diabetes, asthma, cardiopulmonary failure and infertility, according to the National Institutes of Health.
With 57 percent of Utah adults considered overweight or obese, according to the Utah Department of Health, the demand for such treatment programs is only poised to grow. A 2007 report by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality shows that the number of bariatric surgeries has surged from 16,000 in 1992 to 70,000 in 2005.
For patients such as Merrilee Jewell, who has lost 140 pounds since undergoing a gastric bypass on Sept. 7, 2006, it was her best option.
"I just wanted to be able to be healthy - tie my own shoes, go for a walk with my kids, see my daughter graduate from high school," said Jewell, who at her heaviest weighed 330 pounds. "Every pound, every 5 pounds, makes such a difference on you."
Perhaps Jewell's biggest problem now, she said, is having to buy new clothes as she continues to shed weight.
"It's really fun," she said with a smile.

source:www.sltrib.com