Learn more about the current bariatric surgical options available, find out if you are a candidate for surgery and discover ORMC's approach. Each free 90 minute session provides details about weight loss surgery and provides you with the opportunity to speak with a bariatric surgeon and other healthcare providers involved with the program. Call 321.8HEALTH or click here to sign up.

• Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass
• Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy
• Upcoming Information Sessions
• Our Team of Experts
• See a Before & After Photo

The Weight Loss (Bariatric) Program at Orlando Regional Medical Center

It's always best to lose weight through a healthy diet and regular physical activity. But if you're among those who have tried and can't lose the excess weight that's causing your health problems, minimally invasive weight loss surgery may be an option.

At Orlando Regional Medical Center (ORMC) our dedicated multidisciplinary team of specially trained individuals are available to assist you with all aspects of weight loss surgery. Led by highly skilled, board certified surgeons with extensive training in performing laparoscopic bariatric procedures, our team includes an experience nurse directing the program, a registered dietitian to provide long-term weight management and two patient/family counselors, starting at the time of consultation and lasting for life.

Bariatric Surgery: Is this weight loss surgery for you?

Generally bariatric surgery is for people who are unable to achieve or maintain a healthy weight through diet and exercise, are more than 100 pounds overweight, and who have health problems as a result. You may want to consider surgery if:

• Your body mass index (BMI) is above 35*
• You have two serious health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, or osteoarthritis.

*ORMC sees patients with a BMI up to 65.

How do you prepare for Bariatric Surgery?

Candidates for bariatric surgery go through an extensive screening process. Your willingness and ability to follow through with recommendations made by your health care team help determine your readiness. Also, the team identifies which aspects of your health are expected to improve as well as any aspects of your health which may present risks. Only after all these factors are considered will you be considered for approval.

What to expect after Bariatric Surgery

The estimated weight loss with sleeve gastrectomy is approximately 65% of one's excess weight. With Bariatric Surgery estimated weight loss is approximately 40-50% of one’s excess weight, which may be achieved over two years.

Keep in mind that weight loss surgery is not a quick fix. To be successful, your surgery must be followed by lifestyle changes in eating and behavior.

Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery is the most common and successful combined procedure in the United States. It is considered the ‘gold standard’ of bariatric surgery.

First, we create a small stomach pouch to restrict food intake. Next, a Y-shaped section of the small intestine is attached to the pouch to allow food to bypass the lower stomach, the duodenum (the first segment of the small intestine), and the first portion of the jejunum (the second segment of the small intestine). This reduces the amount of calories and nutrients the body absorbs.

Most patients lose weight quickly and continue to lose for 18 to 24 months after the procedure. With the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, many patients maintain a weight loss of 75 to 85 percent of their excess weight for 10 years or more. Because combined operations result in greater weight loss than restrictive operations, they may also be more effective in improving the health problems associated with severe obesity, such as hypertension (high blood pressure), sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes, and osteoarthritis. Combined procedures are more difficult to perform than the restrictive procedures. They are also more likely to result in long-term nutritional deficiencies. This is because the operation causes food to bypass the duodenum and jejunum, where most iron and calcium are absorbed. That is the reason why long time replacement as well as follow up with your surgeon is essential.

Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy

With the potential for greater weight loss and less complication than gastric bypass sleeve gastrectomy is now offered at ORMC. Sleeve Gastrectomy is the most recent addition to bariatric surgery. Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy generates weight loss by restricting the amount of food that can be eaten by removing 85% of the stomach without bypassing the intestines or causing gastrointestinal malabsorption, a common complication with traditional gastric bypass. The stomach is restricted by dividing it vertically and removing a large portion of the stomach. The stomach that remains is shaped like a long narrow tube that measures between two and five ounces.This procedure greatly reduces Ghrelin-hormone production which helps reduce appetite and the hunger sensation. Results based on a five-year and three-year case study suggest the Vertical Gastrectomy, also known as Sleeve Gastrectomy, has weight loss similar to other procedures with lower risk of complication. 

Advantages:

• Minimally invasive procedure
• Shorter hospital stays – Most patients stay overnight and are discharged the next day
• No implantable devices are used
• Potential greater weight loss
• There is no need for adjustments – no needles
• No risk of internal hernia
• No risk of marginal ulcers 

Advantages:

• Minimally invasive procedure
• No cutting or stapling of the stomach or bypassing the intestines
• Shorter hospital stays – most patients stay overnight and are discharged the next day
• Reduced pain
• Removable band – If for any reason the band needs to be removed, the stomach generally returns to its original form 
  
  

Bariatric & Metabolic Surgery Information Sessions and Support Groups

Learn more about the current bariatric surgical options available, find out if you are a candidate for surgery and discover ORMC's approach at a free 90-minute information session, where you will be provided with details about weight loss surgery. You will also have with the opportunity to speak with a bariatric surgeon and other healthcare providers involved with the program.

You can also attend a bariatric and metabolic surgery support group to meet with other bariatric surgery patients and clinical staff to discuss any questions or concerns you may have.
Please call 321.8HEALTH

All medical professionals involved in the surgical treatment of clinical obesity agree on at least one thing about successful bariatric surgery: weight loss is easier and faster when patients can access personal help through local support groups. Post-operative patients are strongly encouraged to attend. We welcome pre-operative patients that are interested in learning more about the lifestyle changes necessary to be successful with weight loss to stop by as well.

CALL 321.8HEALTH For More Information on Seminars and Support Groups

Our Team of Experts

The Bariatric (Weight Loss) and Metabolic Team at ORMC

Surgical Team:

• Muhammad Jawad, MD
• Andre F. Teixeira, MD

• Jill D. Bertrand, BSN, RN, CCRN

Muhammad A. Jawad, MD

Medical Director, Bariatric Program at Orlando Regional Medical Center

An expert in the laparoscopic field since 1989.
Has performed more than 4,000 laparoscopic bariatric cases since the year 2000.
Specializes in both laparoscopic gastric bypass and the adjustable Lap-Band procedures

Board Certification: American Board of Surgery

Internship: Surgical Internship; Cook County Hospital; Chicago, Illinois

Medical School: Ain Shams University; Cairo, Egypt; graduated with honors

Appointment: Former Chief of Surgery, Ocala Regional Hospital
Former Chief of Staff, Monroe Regional Hospital
Served as a member of the Board of Trustees for Ocala Regional Hospital

Affiliation: Fellow, American College of Surgeons
Member, American Society of Bariatric Surgery
Member, Florida Medical Association
Member, Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons
Member, Florida Physicians Association

Research: Has presented more than 45 presentations on laparoscopic and bariatric surgery

Andre F. Teixeira, MD

Andre F. Teixeira, MD, serves a bariatric physician for the Bariatric Program at Orlando Regional Medical Center.

Dr. Teixeira finished his undergraduate studies in biology at Augusta State University. He received his medical degree at Morehouse School of Medicine and completed his internship in general surgery at Orlando Regional Medical Center.

Following his internship, Dr. Teixeira completed his residency training at Orlando Health, where he also served as general surgery chief resident. Following his residency, Dr. Teixeira completed his bariatric and advanced MIS fellowship at Cleveland Clinic Florida.

Dr. Teixeira has been published in multiple journals including The Journal of Reproductive Medicine and The American Surgeon. He also has published book chapters. He has presented as many local and national conferences on various topics relating to general surgery and bariatric surgery.

Dr. Teixeira is tri-lingual in Portuguese, English and Spanish. He is a member of the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons, the Florida Medical Association, the American College of Surgeons, the American Medical Association, the Morehouse School of Medicine Chapter, the American Medical Student Association and the Morehouse School of Medicine Chapter.

Jill D. Bertrand, BSN, RN, CCRN

Description: Bariatric Surgery Program Coordinator, Orlando Regional Medical Center

Certifications: Florida Board of Nursing
American Association of Critical Care Nurses

Master: Master of Science in Nursing - Adult Clinical Nurse Specialist, University of Central Florida; Anticipated graduation year of 2011

BS: Nursing, St. Petersburg College; Graduated on the President's Honor List

Affiliation: Member, National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists
Member, Sigma Theta Tau International Society of Nursing, Theta Epsilon
Member, Society of Critical Care Medicine
Member, American Association of Critical Care Nurses National and Metro-Orlando Chapter

Research: 2010, Principle Investigator for current practices and documentation of airway management
2009, Sub-Investigator for oropharyngeal secretion volume in intubated patients.