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Weight Loss Surgery Program

• Treatments & Services

Overview

• Overview
• Obesity
• Treatment
• Our Team
• Seminar
• Support Group
• BMI Calculator

Meet the Multi-Disciplinary Team

Boone Hospital Center’s weight loss surgery program has a team of individuals that will help support you along your journey to a healthy lifestyle. Each team member is committed to helping you succeed. We like to think of ourselves as coaches and trainers that will help guide you to a thinner, healthier self. Our goal is to provide excellent care and education. We have put together a comprehensive team that will be involved with your care both before and after surgery. The following is a list of members of the team.

James Pitt, DO

Dr. James Pitt, DO is an experienced general surgeon and a partner with Columbia Surgical Associates, Inc. and Columbia Bariatric Associates, Inc. Dr. Pitt has specialized training for both the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass and LAP-BAND®operations. He has been performing the Gastric Bypass operation since 2001 and the LAP-BAND® operation since 2004. He is a long-time resident of Boone County and has a great interest and passion for helping those who are morbidly obese.

Walter Peters, MD

Dr. Walter Peters, MD is an experienced general and colorectal surgeon. He is a partner with Columbia Surgical Associates, Inc. and Columbia Bariatric Associates, Inc. Recently, Dr. Peters acquired specialized training for placement of the LAP-BAND® and follow-up patient management. He is very interested in the surgical management for the rising epidemic of morbid obesity in the United States.

Registered Dietitian

Each patient will visit individually with the dietitian both before and after surgery. The dietitian has four main goals for all patients. They are as follows:

1. To promote safe and successful weight loss.
2. To teach eating and lifestyle behaviors that will aid in achieving and maintaining a healthy and desirable body weight.
3. Prevent nutrition deficiencies from reduced intake and absorption of foods.
4. To prevent and alleviate discomfort or intolerance of food

With surgery only being a treatment tool for weight loss, it is very important to follow the recommended diet closely.

Psychologist

Each patient will visit with the psychologist prior to surgery for a clinical interview and testing if indicated. Dr. Laura Brenner, PhD, is a psychologist who works closely with the surgeons and our program. The psychological evaluation is necessary to identify psychological issues that may hinder someone from following the program guidelines after surgery. The evaluation is intended to identify problem areas or psychological issues that may need to be dealt with both prior to and after surgery. As weight loss occurs, you will experience many changes in your lifestyle and relationships that you have formed with others. It is important to have the psychologist involved with your care so that she may help you work through the changes that will occur in your life. You may find that speaking with the psychologist following surgery may be quite helpful in your recovery.

Financial Counselor

A finance counselor is available to speak with you regarding financial concerns associated with weight loss surgery.

updated: July 15, 2008