Dear Surgical Weight Loss Candidate, On behalf of everyone at the OSF Saint Francis Weight Loss Center, congratulations on reaching out and taking your first step toward living a healthier lifestyle! Starting your weight-loss journey is an exciting and difficult decision to make, but know that the team at the OSF Surgical Weight Loss Center will be with you every step of the way to help you achieve your weight-loss goals. We know that a successful weight-loss program needs to cater to the specific needs of every participant. At OSF we have a variety of weight-loss resources—from personal coaching and group support to medical management and weight-loss surgery—to create a weight-loss plan designed to give you the best possible results. The first steps on your journey to better health can often be the hardest, but we’re here to help. q Step One: Request an information packet – Congratulations – this step is complete! ✓ q Step Two: Review the enclosed information about the opportunities that await you with surgical weight loss. It’s important to make sure that surgical weight loss is the right fit for you. q Step Three: Attend a surgical weight loss information meeting at the Peoria Riverplex. Meetings are held the first and third Mondays of each month at 5:30 - 7:30 pm. Preregistration is not required to attend these meetings. If you have any questions, feel free to call 309-282-1614. (For driving directions to the RiverPlex, enter 600 NE Water Street, Peoria into your GPS) If you feel like surgical weight loss may not be the best option for you, remember that the OSF Weight Loss Center has variety of resources to help you lose weight. For more information on how to change your eating, exercising, and thinking habits, visit us online at osfsaintfrancis.org/ weightloss. We look forward to working with you on your weight-loss journey! Sincerely, Your OSF Saint Francis Weight Loss Center Team 530 N.E. Glen Oak Avenue, Peoria, Illinois 61637 Phone (309) 655-2000 The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis OSF Surgical Weight Loss Center of Excellence Partners with Peoria Surgical Group and University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria. OSF Saint Francis Surgical Weight Loss Center of Excellence would like to thank you for choosing us to help you begin your new life! As a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence we have developed a complete program to help you through your weight loss journey. Together, OSF Saint Francis Medical Center and Peoria Surgical Group is certified as a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence. The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) gives this title to programs that provide quality care and maintain excellent short and long term outcomes. We have a highly trained team of surgeons, nurses, nutritionists, pharmacists, exercise specialists, and psychologists who will guide you through your transformation to a new healthy lifestyle and share your life journey. Surgery is not a miracle cure; it is simply a way to help you change your eating habits in a more healthy way. To understand the lifestyle changes you will have to make, you must attend our surgical weight loss program. We want this surgery to work for you, and experience has taught us that a patient who is educated will do much better than one who is not. Are You a Candidate? The Surgical Weight Loss Center of Excellence Program follows the National Institute of Health criteria for weight loss surgery. You are a candidate for weight loss surgery if... •You have a BMI of 35-39 with medical problems, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or sleep apnea (stop breathing as you sleep), OR you have a BMI of 40 or greater with or without medical problems. •You have realistic expectations from surgery. •You understand the possible risks of surgery. •You understand the way your life will change after surgery. •You are willing to actively participate in making a lifestyle change. •You are willing to visit your surgeon for long-term follow-up. •You have tried other diets under the supervision of a doctor and failed. This is a surgery of last resort. You are NOT a candidate for weight loss surgery if... •Your BMI is less than 35, OR •Your BMI is between 35-39 and you have no medical problems. •You are over the age of 70. Brief overview of the required steps for candidates in the Surgical Weight Loss Center of Excellence Program. 1.You must attend a free Surgical Weight Loss Informational meeting. Registration is not required. For a complete list of information meeting dates, visit osfsaintfrancis.org/weightloss. 2. You must have a referral letter from your family doctor. 3.After the informational meeting, you must schedule your Initial Weight Loss Center Consultation at the Riverplex. This visit will include a Bod Pod® (body measurement) to discuss your plans to pursue weight loss surgery. 4.You must meet with the surgeon to discuss the surgery. He will determine which surgery is best for you. 5. You must have approval from your insurance company. 6. You must attend a First Steps Class. 7. You must visit our psychologist to make sure you are ready for surgery. 8.You must come to a surgical weight loss support group meeting one time each month. We have support groups in many areas of the state. 9. You must attend a pre-op class right before surgery. Options for Surgical Weight Loss Duodenal Switch The Bilio-pancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch results in less absorption of food. The stomach is formed into a sleeve and the duodenum is stapled. Then the intestine is brought up and attached to the stomach. By doing this your body will not absorb all the nutrients or food you eat. This may result in gas/diarrhea if the wrong foods are eaten. Close follow up is a must. Gastric Sleeve The Gastric Sleeve limits the food intake. The stomach is formed into a sleeve without any intestine detachment (re-routing). When you eat less food your body draws on its own fat to get the energy it needs. The result is you lose weight. Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass The Roux-en-y Gastric Bypass limits intake and absorption of foods to cause weight loss. With this surgery, most of the stomach and part of the intestines are bypassed. With the Roux-en-y Gastric Bypass, the stomach is stapled to make a smaller pouch. Then a part of the intestines is attached (usually stapled) to the small stomach pouch. The result is that you cannot eat as much and you absorb less nutrients and calories from your food. You will be given more information at the Surgical Weight Loss Informational Meeting on how to finish all the steps of the program. With You Every Step of the Way Our program is designed to help you succeed in your weight loss journey. Our staff is with you every step of the way. J. Stephen Marshall, MD, FACS Medical Director Medical School: Southern Illinois University, Springfield Internship and Residency: Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center, Chicago Certifications: American Board of Surgery Certificate of Added Qualifications, Surgical Critical Care James R. DeBord, MD, FACS Medical School: University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago Internship and Residency: University of Illinois Hospitals, Chicago Certifications: American Board of Surgery Certificate of Special Qualifications, General Vascular Surgery Thomas R. Rossi, MD, FACS Medical School: Chicago Medical School, North Chicago Internship and Residency: Cook County Hospital/University of Illinois Hospital, Chicago Certifications: American Board of Surgery 530 NE Glen Oak Ave. • Peoria, Illinois 61637 • osfsaintfrancis.org 755-0008 (12/14)