About the Center

The Obesity Treatment Center is a state-of-the-art surgical therapy program dedicated to the care and treatment of patients with morbid obesity that does not respond to non-operative treatment. The Center provides a full array of pre- and post-surgical support services to assist patients.

Morbid obesity describes an individual who is 100 or more pounds overweight or has a body mass index of 40 or more. The treatment goal for morbid obesity should be an improvement in health achieved by a durable weight loss that reduces life-threatening risk factors and improves performance of the activities of daily living.

Surgical treatment is medically necessary because it is the only proven method of achieving long-term weight control for the severely obese. This surgical treatment is not a cosmetic procedure and does not involve the removal of fat by suction or excision. The surgery involves a 90 percent reduction in the capacity of the stomach, which ensures that the patient practices behavior modification by eating small amounts slowly, thereby reducing his or her calorie intake. Therefore, the key to success after surgery is strict adherence to an appropriate diet and regular exercise.

The Center offers a holistic team approach. All patients undergo careful preoperative psychological screening, including consultation with highly qualified psychiatrists, to ensure that they are able to handle the psychological stress of gastric bypass surgery.