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Belleville, NJ— A surgical and medical option for individuals suffering from obesity is now available at Clara Maass Medical Center. Under the leadership of Naveen
Ballem, M.D., The
Bariatric Center at Clara Maass will provide patients with bariatric surgery services including LAP-BAND™ surgery, Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy, Laparoscopic Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery, and StomaphyX Gastric Bypass Revisional surgery.
The LAP-BAND™ surgery is minimally invasive, requires a shorter hospital stay than standard surgery, and is completely reversible. It involves placing a band around the stomach to create a small gastric pouch, limiting the amount of food that the stomach will hold at any time. The inflatable ring controls the flow of food from this smaller pouch to the rest of the digestive tract. The patient will feel comfortably full with a small amount of food for several hours, reducing the urge to eat between meals.
The Lap-Band system is for patients who are 100 pounds or more above their ideal weight or whose Body Mass Index is greater than 35 with medical comorbidities as recommended by the National Institute of Health (NIH). The Lap-Band is placed laparoscopically, and can be adjusted in an outpatient setting, tailoring it the the specific needs of each individual patient.
“Weight loss surgery is a big commitment and lifestyle change,” said Dr. Ballem. “Patients need to be dedicated to the entire process, which goes beyond surgery. In order to improve their quality of life, patients have to commit to a healthier lifestyle which involves changes in diet, exercise and behavior.”
Certified by the American Board of Surgery, Dr. Ballem will partner with a team of specialized caregivers including nurses, dieticians, behavioral health specialists and a bariatric coordinator to educate and prepare patients for the benefits of bariatric surgery.
“The Clara
Maass Program is unique in that aspect,” added
Dr. Ballem. “Our program follows a multidisciplinary approach
to weight loss that includes pre- and post-surgery education
and counseling. We believe the key to excellent long-term success
is consistent follow-up and support from the entire Bariatric
team. Monthly free informational sessions and support groups
are available to weight loss surgery candidates.”
Dr. Naveen Ballem completed his General Surgery residency in
New York City at the Harlem Hospital Center at Columbia University.
He completed his Fellowship training in Endocrine and Advanced
Laparoscopic Surgery at the Cleveland Clinic and at the University
of Alabama at Birmingham Medical Center. He also served as a
Clinical Instructor at the Cleveland Clinic's Medical School.
He has extensively researched, published, and presented at both
national and international conferences on morbid obesity and
the benefits of Bariatric Surgery.
For more information about weight-loss options available through The
Bariatric Center at Clara Maass Medical Center or to attend a free informational session, please call 1.888.724.7123 or call Maria Rivera, Bariatric Program Coordinator, at 1-973-450-2393.
Clara Maass Medical Center, an affiliate of the Saint Barnabas Health Care System, provides a complete continuum of care to residents of northern New Jersey. Clara Maass Centers of medical excellence include the Women’s Health Center, Nuclear Medicine, The Cancer Center at Clara Maass, Diagnostic Cardiac Services including Cardiac Catheterization, Emergency Angioplasty and Rehabilitation, The Pain Management Center, The Joint & Spine Institute, a Vascular Center, Same Day Surgery, The Wound Center at Clara Maass, The Center for Sleep Disorders, The Bariatric Center at Clara Maass, Rehabilitation Services, Maternity Services and Parent Education, as well as Pediatrics. For a physician referral or more information about Clara Maass, call 1-888-724-7123 or visit www.barnabashealth.org.
Date: January 8, 2009
CONTACT:
Cathy Toscano
July 10, 2008
(973) 450-2996
ctoscano@barnabashealth.org
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