Bariatric Surgery - Atlanta Medical Center

Winter 2008
Living Well
Bariatric
Surgery
Help for serious
weight problems
peRipHeRal aRteRial DiSeaSe | ASSESS yOUr rISK. SEE PAGE 7.

[news]
Letter from the CEO
Dear neighbors,
We’re already a month into the new
year, and I’d like to express my sincere
hope on behalf of Atlanta Medical Center
(AMC) that you’ve had a happy and
blessed holiday season and have embraced
the new year with open arms.
I realize this is a time of renewal and
William T. Moore,
President and CEO
of resolutions to do things better—or
perhaps differently—this year. With that
in mind, please remember that AMC
stands ready to partner with you on
your health and wellness goals for 2008.
We were recently recognized by the American Heart
Association for our success in cardiac care. (See photo below).
We’ve also partnered with the March of Dimes to provide an
advanced level of support to our tiniest patients and their
families.
Additionally, AMC offers nationally recognized care in surgical
weight-loss management. We know that diet and exercise
often top the list of resolutions for the new year, but for some
people, bariatric surgery may also be an option. AMC has
been recognized as a Bariatric Center of Excellence by the
American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. find out
more on pages 4 and 5.
this outstanding program has helped many people overcome
one of the greatest challenges of their lives. Whether
it’s weight loss or ongoing wellness challenges, please know
that we are your intown health care partner, and our doors
are always open.
William t. Moore, President and CEO
Thank you to our EMS teams
Emergency Medical Services providers play an important role
in bringing prehospital care to patients treated at AMC. Several
times each year, AMC’s emergency and trauma staff pay tribute
to these EMS teams by hosting a cookout to thank them for
the work they do.
[AMC partners for
NICU Support Program ]
families of babies in the neonatal intensive care unit
(NICU) at Atlanta Medical Center (AMC) now have more
support and educational opportunities, thanks to a partnership
between the medical center and the March of
Dimes.
tuesday, Nov. 6, marked the official kickoff of the
March of Dimes NICU family Support Program, making
AMC only the second hospital in Georgia to have such a
partnership. the family Support Program provides information
and comfort to families of premature and other
critically ill newborns being cared for in the NICU.
Ceremonies marking the beginning of this partnership
included remarks from Lt. Governor Casey Cagle; March of
Dimes State Director Mark Gibson with a NICU graduate
family; and Allison Burkett, MD, former surgical resident
at AMC.
The American Heart Association recognized Atlanta Medical
Center for earning the Annual Performance Achievement Award,
the Initial Performance Achievement Award, and 2006 Program
Awards in coronary artery disease and heart failure.
Lt. Governor Casey Cagle shows off one of Dr. Burkett’s
twins, both NICU graduates, while Sen. Nan Orrock,
left, looks on. Dr. Burkett (shown at right holding her
other twin) and Mr. Cagle spoke during ceremonies
held in the Boulevard Lobby.
2 | living Well

[spotlight]
It’s a family affair:
Why many generations
of one family work at AMC
The Lomboys head to the same place for
work every day. Mother Norma and sons
Eric (right) and Michael all are employed
at AMC. A sister may soon join them.
When you find something you like, you
usually tell your friends and family about
it. Whether it’s a great restaurant, a good
dentist, an entertaining movie or a useful
shortcut—when you’re excited about
something, it’s fun to share it. That’s
exactly how Eric Lomboy, RN, BSN, clinical
coordinator of cardiac services, came to
work at Atlanta Medical Center (AMC).
“My mom’s worked here for over
25 years, since the hospital was called
Georgia Baptist,” Eric says.
Eric’s aunt was the first family member
to work for the hospital, as a nurse in
the Mother-Baby Unit, and she recruited
his mom in the late 1970s. “I actually was
born in this hospital,” Eric says. “It was
like fate.”
In addition to Eric’s mother and aunt,
his brother also works as a respiratory
Health tip
Are you considering a career at
AMC? We would love to have you
be part of our family. Find out
about available job opportunities
by visiting our website, www.atlanta
medcenter.com, and clicking on the
“Careers” tab. Or call Human Resources
at 404-265-4227.
therapist at the hospital. And his sister,
who is about to complete her nursing
degree, has plans to apply to the emergency
room at AMC.
It may seem unusual that all three
siblings are interested in working at
the same place. But Eric says that they
all have “grown up” at the hospital. As
teen-agers, all three worked as Volunteens—volunteers
in AMC’s program
for high schoolers who are interested in
getting medical experience. Later, while
completing his nursing degree at Emory
University, Eric worked at AMC as a
physical therapy aide.
“The environment was really nice,
so I kept this hospital in mind when I
graduated from college,” he says. “They
offer programs like loan payoff or a signing
bonus. And I’d met a lot of really
cool nurses, staff and physicians when I
was working here.”
Eric has now worked at the hospital
for four years. He describes his department
as “close-knit.” “It feels like family
here,” he says. And working in cardiac
care is rewarding. “You know what you’re
doing is instantly helping the patient. You
fix a patient, and you automatically take
away the pain or put the patient in comfort.
It’s instant gratification,” Eric says.
[How working at AMC can benefit you]
Atlanta Medical Center cares about you
both on and off the job. We offer great
benefits to you and your dependents,
such as:
Vacation.
Sick time.
Medical, dental and vision insurance.
Life and AD&D insurance.
» Disability and long-term care
insurance.
401(k) Retirement Savings Plan.
Flexible spending accounts.
Stock Purchase Plan.
» Tuition Reimbursement, Student Loan
Repayment and Loan Consolidation
Program.
» Employee Assistance and Work/Life
Program.
» Leaves of absence.
» Tenet Federal Credit Union.
Wellness Plan.
Free parking.
Food court.
Continuing education.
Employee Recognition Program.
» Tenet Disaster Relief Fund.
» Tenet Children of Employees Scholarship
Program.
» Matching Gift Fund.
» Voluntary Involvement Program.
www.atlantamedcenter.com |

[healthy weight]
Check these out!
atlanta Medical Center
Bariatric Seminars
» third Saturday of each month,
1 p.m., AMC Wellness Center
Bariatric Support Groups
» Second thursday and third
Saturday of each month, AMC
Wellness Center
Call 888-457-5204 to register.
Bariatric surgery
AN OPTION WHEN THE WEIGHT HAS TO GO
Titus D. Duncan, MD,
Medical Director of
Bariatric Surgery
Some people want
to lose weight to
look a little better
or to fit into a
smaller pair of
jeans. But for
others, shedding
extra pounds is a
very real health
concern.
For some
people who aren’t able to lose weight in
other ways, bariatric—or weight-loss—
surgery may be helpful.
4 | living Well
HealtH tip
Medical insurance coverage for
weight-loss surgery varies by
insurance provider. if you’re
considering surgery, check with
your insurance provider to find
out if the procedure is covered.
Is it for me?
“Not everyone is a candidate for weightloss
surgery,” says Titus D. Duncan, MD,
AMC’s Surgical Weight Loss Program
director. “Complications can occur, and
a few of them may be serious.” However,
he adds, “People who undergo this
procedure can lose important weight—
In exercise, as in life, it’s good to set
goals. they can help you get on the
course to better health.
your goals should be:
» Realistic. If you can’t achieve your
exercise goals, you may become
disheartened and give up. Be reasonable
and start slowly—even five or
10 minutes of daily activity can steer
enough to possibly alleviate health problems
that stemmed from weight gain.”
Generally, surgery is reserved for
people who are seriously obese—about
100 pounds or more overweight—notes
the National Institutes of Health. A
candidate must have a body mass index
(BMI) of 40 or above or have a BMI of
[Setting exercise goals]
you in the right direction.
» Specific. Don’t just say, “I’ll start
exercising.” Instead, you might say
you will take 15-minute walks on four
days of the week. then you can work
your way up to 0-minute walks, five
days a week.
» Forgiving and flexible. Some days,
for various reasons, you may not

How does your BMI measure up?
Are you overweight? Just right? Not sure? to find out, calculate
your body mass index, or BMI.
this number is a good indicator of your body fat, notes
the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Knowing
your BMI can help you determine if you might need to lose
some weight.
Using your height and weight, you can calculate your BMI
with this formula.
1} Multiply your weight in pounds by 700.
2} Divide that number by your height in inches.
} Divide that number by your height in inches again.
the result is your BMI.
Next, see how your BMI stacks up. Weight categories
are as follows: » Less than 18.5: Underweight. » 18.5 to
24.9: Normal. » 25.0 to 29.9: Overweight. » 0 or higher:
Obese.
Because BMI doesn’t directly measure body fat, it may not
be an accurate reflection of overweight for some people,
including those who are extremely muscular. Whatever your
result, it’s always important to ask your doctor what a healthy
weight for you would be.
your doctor can give advice on how to reach a healthier
BMI.
35 or above with a serious obesity-related
condition, such as diabetes, high blood
pressure or obstructive sleep apnea.
Know your options
If you’re considering weight-loss
surgery, you may be able to choose from
different options.
Restrictive operations, which include
the use of gastric bands, limit the
amount of food the stomach can hold.
Combined restrictive and malabsorptive
operations both restrict
the amount of food the stomach can
hold and enable food to bypass part of
the small intestine, which limits calorie
absorption. Gastric bypass surgery is
one example.
Just the start
Regardless of the type you choose,
weight-loss surgery requires a lifelong
Bariatric surgery can lead to significant weight reduction
that may improve many weight-related health problems.
be able to exercise. take this into
account, and don’t be too hard on
yourself. Just get back on track the
next day.
Ask for your doctor’s help in planning
a safe exercise program and
setting appropriate goals.
Sources: Arthritis foundation; National Institutes
of Health
commitment to healthy eating and
exercise and ongoing medical checkups.
It’s important to talk to your doctor
about the risks and benefits so that you
can make an informed decision.
You can learn more by
visiting the Weight-control
Information Network on the website
of the National Institute of Diabetes
and Digestive and Kidney Diseases at
www.win.niddk.nih.gov.
Top-notch care
Atlanta Medical Center (AMC)
has been designated a Bariatric
Center of Excellence by the
American Society of Metabolic
and Bariatric Surgery.
Doctors performing bariatric
surgery at AMC include:
Celio Burrowes, MD
titus D. Duncan, MD
Clarence Hixon, MD
Larry Hobson, MD
» Qammar rashid, MD
www.atlantamedcenter.com | 5

[spine specialists]
Hope for
back pain
No more excuses. today is the day for you to confront
your back pain head on. and the good news
is that atlanta Medical Center is here to help. We
know you’re busy. We know that you have a
meeting to run, kids to pick up and a
life to lead. But we also know that we
can help you ease that nagging pain
in your back. So stop hiding, denying
or masking your pain.
Call 866-SpiNe-55 (866-
774-6355) and find out how
the Spine Specialists of atlanta
Medical Center can help you today.
learn about ways to
keep your back healthy!
Request your free Back
Basics booklet today by
calling 866-SpiNe-55
(866-774-6355).
6 | living Well

[your health]
PAD: Your legs
could be telling
you something
Sometimes warnings about your health
can come from an unexpected source:
your legs.
You shouldn’t dismiss leg pain,
numbness or other symptoms as the
normal aches and pains of aging because
they could signal the narrowing of vessels
that carry blood away from the heart.
Plaque, a substance made up of fat and
cholesterol, can build up on the inside
walls of the arteries and restrict normal
blood flow. This can affect arteries anywhere
in the body.
When it affects the arteries of the
heart, it can cause a heart attack. When
it affects the arteries supplying the brain,
it can lead to a stroke. Plaque buildup
in the arteries that supply blood to the
kidneys, stomach, arms, legs or feet is
called peripheral arterial disease (PAD).
The risks of PAD are serious. Compared
with the rest of the population, a
person with PAD is six to seven times
more likely to have coronary artery
disease, heart attack, stroke or ministroke.
In the advanced stages of PAD,
blood flow to a leg or foot can be severely
blocked, causing tissue death that
may result in amputation.
Risk factors for developing the
condition include: » Age. » Being African
American. » Smoking. » Having diabetes.
» Being overweight. » Having elevated
blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Pinpointing PAD
Early diagnosis and treatment of PAD
is important to not only protect your
health, but also to decrease your risk of
heart attack or stroke.
One of the first signs of PAD can be
painful cramping or fatigue in the legs
and buttocks that occurs during activity
but stops during rest. However, approximately
half of people with the disease
have mild or no symptoms.
PAD can be diagnosed through an
[Free screening for
peripheral vascular disease]
AMC will host free ankle-brachial index (ABI) screenings in March, which includes
blood pressure checks at the arm and ankle, at its Inman Park Physicians practice
on N. Highland Avenue. Come in for a basic circulation check. Call 888-457-5204
to schedule an appointment.
ankle-brachial index test that compares
blood pressure levels in your ankle with
that in your arm. Another option is angiography,
an imaging test that uses a dye
injected into the blood vessels to allow
doctors to watch blood flow through the
arteries. A medical history, physical exam
or ultrasound may also be used to diagnose
PAD.
The next step
People diagnosed with PAD can
usually be treated with lifestyle changes,
medications or a combination of both.
Lifestyle changes include quitting
smoking, managing diabetes, controlling
blood pressure, exercising and eating a
healthy diet.
Medications may be prescribed to
lower cholesterol or blood pressure,
control blood sugar for people with
diabetes, prevent blood clots, or relieve
certain symptoms.
If lifestyle changes and medication
aren’t enough, surgery may be necessary
to open vessels. Surgery options include:
» Using a balloon catheter, a small, hollow
tube, to open vessels.
» Bypassing the blocked vessel using a graft.
» Directly injecting a clot-dissolving
drug into the artery.
In some cases, a mesh tube called a
stent is inserted to keep the vessel open.
To find out more about PAD,
talk to your doctor or call
888-888-1872 to find a physician
near you.
www.atlantamedcenter.com | 7

[wound care center]
Wound care at its best
the Wound Care Center of atlanta Medical Center offers skilled physicians
who use the latest treatments and technology to treat wounds.
Our specialized wound care may be covered by most insurance plans
and Medicare. Come out of hiding and come here for help. talk to your
doctor or call us today.
to find out more, call 404-265-Heal (404-265-4325).
LIVING WELL is published as a community service
for the friends and patrons of ATLANTA MEDICAL
CENTER, 303 Parkway Drive N.E., Atlanta, GA 30312,
404-265-4000, www.atlantamedcenter.com.
William T. Moore | Chief Executive Officer
Jeff Freygang | Chief Development Officer
Kendra Gerlach | Public Relations/Marketing Director
ATLANTA MEDICAL CENTER
303 Parkway Drive N.E.
Atlanta, GA 30312
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Information in LIVING WELL comes from a wide range
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questions about specific content that may affect your
health, please contact your health care provider.
Models may be used in photos and illustrations.
Copyright © 2008 Coffey Communications, Inc.
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BaCK paiN? | tHE SPECIALIStS At AMC CAN HELP. SEE PAGE 6.