Is Surgery for You?

If you have been overweight or obese for many years and have tried to lose weight -- maybe with a commercial program, a nutritionist, a doctor or just by doing it yourself -- you know how difficult it is to lose weight. And for many people, the moment you stop your diet, you gain back all the weight you've lost.  Sometimes, you even gain more.

By the time people come to us for weight loss surgery, they already have existing obesity-related medical problems like diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, high cholesterol, heart disease, acid reflux, joint problems, shortness of breath, asthma, menstrual problems, urine incontinence, swollen ankles, depression, and cancer.

Weight loss surgery (also known as bariatric surgery) may improve or cure many of these medical problems.  The Weight Loss Surgery team at Roger Williams Medical Center, under the leadership of surgeon Dr. Dieter Pohl, has been performing bariatric surgery for 19 years.  In that time, our team has operated on more than 3,000 bariatric patients, most of who experienced excellent outcomes.  Since 2005, our program has been designated as an MBSAQIP-Accredited Center. 

Weight loss surgery/Bariatric Surgery is a great way to lose weight and to keep it off. Just ask our patients, many of whom have improved their quality of life and seen complications from obesity improve or even disappear.

To be eligible for weight loss surgery, you have to meet certain criteria.  These qualifications are similar for all hospitals across the country. 

• The minimum age is 18. There is no maximum age.
• If you have no serious medical problems, your Body Mass Index (BMI) needs to be 40 or higher than 40.
• If you do have medical problems that are caused by obesity (diabetes, etc) then the BMI only needs to be 35 or higher than 35.
• If you have Type 2 Diabetes you qualify for surgery if you're BMI is higher than 30 however currently insurance is not covering the cost.

Want to learn more?  Our informational meetings are held every second Wednesday of the month in Kay Auditorium at Roger Williams Medical Center.  

View our seminar online: Click here

For an appointment or to learn more call, 401-521-6310.