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REMINDER: OR-Live.com Presents: Gastric Bypass Surgery

Live Webcast: Tuesday, November 15, 2005 at 5:00 pm EST (22:00 UTC)

Surgeons at Pitt County Memorial Hospital (PCMH) in Greenville, N.C. will perform a gastric bypass surgery to treat morbid obesity live, via webcast, Tuesday, Nov. 15 at 5 p.m. Dr. Kenneth G. MacDonald will moderate the surgery, as Dr. William H. Chapman, III performs the procedure.

"As more and more patients learn about the potential benefits of gastric bypass surgery, we hope that this webcast will encourage potential candidates to talk to their doctors about whether the procedure is appropriate for them," said MacDonald.

Gastric bypass, a type of bariatric surgery, is a non-reversible treatment option for morbidly obese patients. Individuals who weigh at least 100 pounds above their ideal body weight, have a body mass index of 35, and suffer from associated health problems -- such as hypertension, diabetes, sleep apnea and joint pain -- are ideal candidates. Patients who have a body mass index of 40 with no associated health conditions also are considered to be candidates for the procedure.

During the procedure, surgeons create a small stomach pouch with less than one ounce capacity. They then attach a portion of the small intestine to the pouch, leaving a small hole through which food can pass. After surgery, a patient will experience a full sensation after eating only a small amount of food and will stay full longer after a meal. Because the small hole between the pouch and small intestine prohibits food from exiting the stomach too quickly, patients experience less hunger between meals.

The bariatric surgery program at PCMH and the Brody School of Medicine began in 1978, with the pioneering work of Dr. Walter Pories. Together with Dr. Adrianus Van Rij, Pories standardized the dimensions of a new surgery -- the gastric bypass -- to produce the Greenville Gastric Bypass. The operation, which proved to be a success, launched the bariatric surgery program to a new level of surgical excellence. The program has since grown quickly, attracting patients not only from North Carolina, but also from the surrounding states of Virginia, Tennessee and South Carolina. The team of bariatric surgeons at PMCH has treated patients from numerous other states, as well as from Spain, France, and Japan.

Visit http://www.or-live.com/PittCounty/1510 now to learn more. VNR: http://www.or-live.com/rams/pic-1510-mkw-q.ram

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