Riverside Community Hospital Announces the Opening of The Center for Surgical Weight Loss
July 11, 2011
July 11, 2011) Riverside, CA – Riverside Community Hospital announces the opening of a new Bariatric Program for people suffering from obesity. The Center for Surgical Weight Loss at Riverside Community Hospital offers three procedures for surgical weight loss: Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding, Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass and Sleeve Gastroplasty, for those seeking a more permanent weight loss solution.
Bariatric surgery is intended for individuals who are diagnosed with severe or "morbid" obesity. These patients have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher (or approximately 100 lbs or more of excess weight), or have a BMI of 35 or greater with a health issue associated with weight such as diabetes, hypertension, etc. The Center for Surgical Weight Loss at Riverside Community hospital is comprised of a team of dedicated professionals, which includes Board Certified physicians with expertise in laparoscopic and minimally invasive weight-loss surgery, program coordinator, dieticians, and exercise therapists, whose objective is to help patients achieve their weight loss goals and maintain a healthier and more active lifestyle.
Monthly informational seminars will be available for those considering surgery, and support groups are being offered for those who have already had surgery. The new program will be under the direction of Dr. John L. Coon, who has been appointed Medical Director of Bariatric Surgery Services at RCH, and Latanya Davidson-Wilson, MSN, CNS, RN, Bariatric Program Coordinator.
While Riverside Community Hospital offers a number of specialized services, the addition of the Center for Surgical Weight Loss comes in response to the growing prevalence of obesity in the Inland Empire. The rate of obesity in the United States has grown over the last 30 years. 65% of Americans are considered overweight. That is nearly 7 out of 10 people. Obesity is not just a weight issue, but also a life-threatening health problem which often leads to major health concerns, such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. Studies have shown that bariatric surgical procedures provide much more than cosmetic benefits. They have also been proven to reduce these major health risks.
"Our new weight loss surgery center brings advanced capabilities for bariatric surgical care to the Inland Empire", said Patrick Brilliant, President and CEO of Riverside Community Hospital. "In an environment where obesity is a significant factor in many life-threatening diseases, we are offering patients the opportunity for a life changing experience and a pathway to better health."
"At Riverside Community Hospital, we have a comprehensive program that encompasses surgery and provides superb pre and post surgical care." says Dr. Coon, Medical Director for the Center for Surgical Weight Loss at Riverside Community Hospital.
