About:
The Bariatric Surgery Program at our West Roxbury campus provides weight loss surgery for veterans. Our purpose is to help those suffering from obesity to obtain optimal health and wellness. We are a team of professionals dedicated to giving you help, support and encouragement in your weight loss goals.
The Bariatric surgical team evaluates your risk for surgery. We help you to learn how to manage obesity through diet, education, exercise and surgery. We assist you in adopting healthy habits for life.
The Bariatric Surgery Program is one part of the MOVE (Managing Overweight and/or Obesity for Veterans Everywhere) program. This is a larger program that helps you learn new ways to manage obesity through diet, education, exercise and sometimes medication. You must be enrolled in this program for 3-6 months before your application for surgery will be considered.
Application for surgery:
The road to bariatric surgery is not an easy path. It is a commitment to diet, exercise and medical follow up for life. This surgery is only for those patients that meet strict conditions. A lot will be asked of you.
As a team, we are dedicated to making sure that weight loss surgery is the right decision for you. The screening process may take as long as a year. Old habits die hard. This long course allows you to make the mental changes necessary to adapt to a new lifestyle.
You will:
- meet with some or all of the team members.
- be asked to get additional testing.
- receive education about diet, exercise and coping.
- be expected to go to support groups.
The Bariatric Team meets regularly as a group to discuss each patient’s application and decide if you are a good candidate for surgery. Our process allows us to address each person’s unique needs and make a qualified decision about whether bariatric surgery is the right treatment for you. Your safety and well being is our number one priority.
Most Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I apply for Bariatric Surgery?
The application process begins with a referral from your primary care provider to the MOVE program. You must be in the MOVE program for 3-6 months before your application will be considered for Bariatric Surgery.
2. What kinds of Bariatric Surgery does Boston VA provide?
Currently we offer the “Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass” and in special circumstances The Gastric Sleeve. We do not offer Gastric Laparoscopic Bands.
3. How do I know if I qualify for Bariatric Surgery?
Bariatric Surgery is not for everyone overweight. It is used for people who have severe obesity. To measure obesity we use the BMI tool; a BMI of 35 or over may qualify you for weight loss surgery.
4. How does weight loss surgery work?
It creates changes in your digestive system that restrict the amount of food you can take in and also affects the amount absorbed by your body.
5. Where can I get more information about weight loss surgery?
It is very important that you find out as much as you can about weight loss surgery. You will be more successful if you are well informed. At right are a few suggested websites to help you.
VA Boston Bariatric Team:
Vivian Sanchez MD – Bariatric Surgeon
Edward Hatchigian MD – Bariatric Medicine
Beth Johnson MD - Psychologist
Constance Mooney - Registered Dietician
Michael Malvesti – Pharmacist
Telephone: 1-800-865-3384, ext. 36200 (or 857-203-6200 direct).
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