News from Parkwest, West Knoxville’s Healthcare Leader
If you’re on the fence about weight-loss surgery or have tried shedding pounds with diet and exercise alone to no avail, consider looking into a weight loss seminar and learning about the options available at Parkwest Center for Bariatric Surgery in Knoxville. K. Robert Williams,
Jr., MD, with the New Life Center for Bariatric Surgery office at Parkwest, has been performing bariatric procedures for more than a decade and has helped hundreds of people rid themselves of the burden of the weight they’ve been carrying.
Dr. K. Robert Williams, Bariatric Surgeon
“Weight-loss surgery, or bariatric surgery, is a tool. It’s not a quick fix,” says Dr. Williams. “Once a patient has surgery, it is in their hands to use the tools and resources we provide. We are here to give them support and guidance to succeed as well.”
During informational bariatric seminars at Parkwest Medical Center, Dr. Williams reviews the four types of bariatric surgery and the risks and advantages of each. He answers questions and gives one-on-one time to attendees.
Prior to surgery, the medical team members at Parkwest Center for Bariatric Surgery aim to educate patients about their individual procedures and instructions for lifestyle changes, including diet and exercise. Dr. Williams stresses the importance of patients understanding and following the recommended regimen. He says if a patient does not adhere to both pre-op and
post-op instructions, it can affect the amount of weight lost. Obesity-related diseases may linger, too.
For this reason there is close patient follow-up in the first six months following surgery to help ensure patient success.
More Than Image
“It’s a common misconception that weight-loss surgery is cosmetic,” says Dr. Williams. “There is a stigma that some people have it done to improve their image, when really the reason we do this is to make medical problems go away.”
Dr. Williams says that some studies show that 90 percent of patients with adult onset or Type 2 diabetes no longer suffer from the disease after bariatric surgery.
Life-Saving Choice
Dr. Williams says that for many of his patients, a burden seems to be lifted after surgery. “It is rewarding as the surgeon to treat a patient who may initially be dependent on 150 units of insulin per day, and following surgery, be off the insulin within a week or two.”
The research indicates that patients who have a BMI of 35 or higher or are 100 pounds over their recommended weight need medically supervised care, such as weight-loss surgery. Studies show that in these extreme cases, a weight-loss regimen of diet and exercise alone has a long-term success rate of just one percent. In comparison, Dr. Williams says the success
rate for bariatric surgery is about 70-80 percent.
Stella Mouzon, RN, Bariatric Coordinator
Why Parkwest?
“Treating patients is not a one-man job,” says Dr. Williams. “There are talented specialists in the hospital, so when you’re treating someone with kidney disease or other comorbidities, they may require care from a pulmonologist or nephrologist. The team is strong and cares for every patient,” he says. “Parkwest is a great place to practice because we span the gamut of specialties and offer excellent patient care.”
Stella Mouzon, RN, BSN, MSM, is the Bariatric Coordinator at Parkwest Center for Bariatric Surgery. Mouzon is responsible for staff education, including training Parkwest’s clinical nurses on how to treat post-op bariatric patients most effectively. Mouzon also coordinates the bariatrics program’s monthly support group.
Considering Bariatric Surgery? Attend a free informational seminar hosted by Dr. Williams at Parkwest each month. For upcoming dates and details call (865) 541-4500 or CLICK TO visit our INFO SESSIONS page!