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Surgical Weight Loss Significantly Improves Diabetic Status, Advise Centers for Obesity Related Illness (CORI)

Posted on: Monday, 1 November 2004, 15:00 CST

BANNOCKBURN, Ill., Nov. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- The prevalence of obesity has reached 20 percent or more of the adult population in most states (Centers for Disease Control), posing serious health implications as a harbinger of a type 2 diabetes epidemic and complications of the disease in those already diagnosed. The Centers for Obesity Related Illness (CORI) call for a reverse of this trend with increased awareness of surgical weight loss as a realistic path to achieving normal blood sugar levels and reducing or mitigating the need for medication to control type 2 diabetes.

"Ninety percent of type 2 diabetics who undergo successful surgical weight loss and shed 75 percent of their excess weight within one year can look forward to near normal blood sugar levels and discontinued use of insulin or other medications," says James A. Sapala, M.D., physician co-founder of CORI and chief of bariatric surgery at St. Vincent's Hospital-Manhattan in New York City. "The outlook for the remaining 10 percent of patients who fall short of this weight loss goal can also be positive, since most will significantly reduce the amount of pills or insulin necessary for controlling the disease."

With obesity figures garnering nationwide attention, there has been increased focus on the relationship between body fat and the escalating risk for diseases such as coronary heart disease and diabetes.

"The CDC reports that at least 41 million Americans have pre-diabetes, a condition where blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not yet high enough for a diabetes diagnosis," explains Dr. Sapala, adding that most people with pre-diabetes will develop type 2 diabetes within 10 years. "Just weeks ago, the government expressed surprise with the 104 percent increase in cases of kidney failure, attributing obesity as an important factor."

According to the CDC, obesity is a life-or-death struggle in America and was the underlying cause of 400,000 deaths in 2000, a 33 percent jump from 1990. If current trends persist, it will become the nation's No. 1 cause of preventable death.

Dr. Sapala says that the pervasiveness of obesity and type 2 diabetes is a public health threat that mandates recognition of weight loss surgery as the only effective, long-term solution for morbid obesity. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) advise that surgical weight loss is the most effective lasting solution for losing 100 pounds or more.

The CORI Team is dedicated to working with each person to create the best weight loss surgical plan for that individual. To that end, CORI offers open and laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery, as well as laparoscopic adjustable gastric band (LAP-BAND(R)) surgery.

Dr. Sapala and Michael H. Wood, M.D., physician co-founder of CORI, recently received a United States patent publication for the Sapala-Wood Micropouch(R), an open Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery with a very small pouch, which, to date, has not required a revision. The physicians have performed more than 7,000 gastric bypass surgeries for the morbidly obese with compelling patient results and reduced hospital length of stay.

More than 90 percent of Micropouch patients lose 75 percent of their excess weight within two years of the surgery -- equaling or surpassing weight reduction achieved with the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery without the Micropouch.

For those patients looking for a less invasive procedure, the laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedure may be the best option. This procedure requires smaller incisions, which means smaller scars long-term. Other benefits the laparoscopic patient enjoys may include less post-op pain, fewer pain medications, and a somewhat faster recovery than patients who have undergone open gastric bypass surgery.

The LAP-BAND(R) procedure uses the same laparoscopic tools and techniques as laparoscopic gastric bypass; however, during LAP-BAND(R) surgery, an adjustable band is placed around the upper portion of the stomach to create a small pouch that restricts how much the stomach can hold. The average weight loss is typically 36-38 percent of excess weight two-three years after surgery. LAP-BAND(R) shares all of the other benefits of laparoscopic weight loss surgery. Unlike either open or laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedures, the LAP-BAND(R) procedure is reversible.

To help people understand the impact of obesity on diabetes and health, CORI is sponsoring a series of info sessions in conjunction with local hospitals. During each CORI-sponsored program, CORI surgeons and professionals provide individualized obesity screening using the body mass index (BMI) guidelines and information that will assist people who are a minimum 80 to 100 or more pounds over their ideal body weight learn their options for weight reduction, surgical intervention and insurance reimbursement.

To find the nearest CORI hospital info session, call 800-578-CORI (2674) or visit http://www.coricenters.com/ for program dates and locations.

About CORI

CORI Centers are operated by MSO Medical, Inc. with its corporate office located in Bannockburn, Illinois (Chicago suburb). MSO Medical contracts with acute care hospitals to establish Bariatric Surgery Centers of Excellence under the brand name CORI (Centers for Obesity Related Illness). CORI has established centers in Illinois, Michigan, New York and Florida. For more information, call 800-578-CORI (2674) or visit http://www.coricenters.com/.

Centers for Obesity Related Illness

CONTACT: Jessica Wolfe of CPRi Communications for CORI, +1-201-641-1911,ext. 51, jwolfe@cpronline.com

Web site: http://www.coricenters.com/

Source: PRNewswire

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