Houston Bariatric Surgeons Discuss Increased Demand for the Gastric Sleeve

HOUSTON, TX--(Marketwire - Jul 11, 2012) - While the World Health Organization's recent predictions estimate that 700 million people will be obese by the year 2015, Houston gastric sleeve surgeons Dr. Sherman Yu and Dr. Terry Scarborough of the Texas Laparoscopic Consultants say more patients at their practice are requesting weight loss surgery as a means of combating the growing epidemic. Drs. Yu and Scarborough say the number of gastric sleeve procedures they have performed in the past few years has been steadily increasing as patients become more familiar with its benefits in producing safe and effective results. They say the rising popularity of gastric sleeve and other bariatric procedures is due to a number of factors and indicates several advantages to patients that can ultimately lead to greater satisfaction and an overall healthier population.

According to the most recent statistics from the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS), obesity currently affects over 33% of all adults in the U.S.; however, of those 15 million people, less than 1% of the clinically eligible population underwent a bariatric procedure to correct their condition in the past year. Despite evidence from similar studies that suggest weight loss surgery may increase life expectancy in patients by as much as 89% and even greatly reduce type 2 diabetes, Drs. Yu and Scarborough say the field of bariatrics still has lots of work to do in order to spread awareness about its benefits to obese patients, a challenge they are both excited and inspired by. As the new and innovative gastric sleeve in Houston becomes more popular and insurance companies begin adding the treatment to their coverage, Dr. Yu says patients will continue to benefit from its ability to help them lose a significant amount of weight and avoid serious future health concerns such as hypertension, heart disease, stroke, sleep apnea, or diabetes.

The gastric sleeve, or sleeve gastrectomy, is performed laparoscopically by removing a section of the stomach using several small incisions and staples to reshape the remaining tissue into a tube or "sleeve" and then seal it closed. Drs. Yu and Scarborough say reducing the size of the stomach allows patients to feel fuller more quickly after having consumed smaller portions, so as to aid in the loss of dramatic amounts of weight. Although patients will experience some pain and discomfort, they say medication should be able to alleviate these symptoms and normal activities should resume within one week of the operation. Because it can often be offered to patients who may not qualify for other types of weight loss procedures, Dr. Yu says the gastric sleeve is an effective option that has enormous advantages to offer the future of bariatric surgery.

At the Texas Laparoscopic Consultants, Drs. Yu and Scarborough also say that while weight loss surgery can provide patients with a successful solution to their obesity and health concerns, any surgical procedure such as gastric sleeve should not be taken lightly, and extensive research with a board-certified bariatric surgeon is essential for achieving the highest quality results. Dr. Yu says he cannot stress enough the value and importance of consulting with a properly-trained and dedicated practice and hopes patients continue to pursue the most advanced treatments in their fight against obesity. He says through an educated partnership between surgeon and patient, the future of weight loss treatments will naturally evolve towards the safest procedures and the most desirable outcomes.

About Sherman C. Yu, MD

Dr. Sherman Yu graduated from Baylor College of Medicine and attended the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center to complete his surgical training, serving as Chief Resident in Surgery. He has completed a year-long fellowship in minimally invasive and robotic surgery at the University of Texas Health Science Center, where he stayed on as an Assistant Professor of Surgery. Dr. Yu is board-certified by the American Board of Surgery, a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and a member of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons, and several other professional organizations. He is Park Plaza Hospital's Bariatric Medical Director, the first Houston area surgeon to complete a Single Incision Laparoscopic adjustable gastric band surgery, and recipient of both Newsweek and H-Texas Magazine's selection to the Top Physicians list.

About Terry Scarborough, MD

A graduate of the University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Dr. Terry Scarborough completed his surgical residency at Baylor College of Medicine, where he also continued training during a year-long fellowship in laparoscopic surgery and authored several articles in the field. He has served as a Fellowship Director in laparoscopic surgery at the University of Texas Medical School, in addition to teaching surgeons across the country how to properly perform the REALIZE® gastric banding procedures. Dr. Scarborough has been certified by the American Board of Surgery and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, as well as a member of the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons. He has been selected as a Top Physician by Newsweek and H-Texas Magazine.

Located at 1200 Binz. Suite 950 in Houston, TX, Texas Laparoscopic Consultants can be reached at (713) 493-7700. It can also be contacted online via the websites gastricsleevetx.com, tlcsurgery.com, or the Texas Laparoscopic Consultants Facebook page.