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Health Services

Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence

About

The Evans Army Community Hospital Bariatric Surgery Program is an accredited Comprehensive Center of Excellence. The accreditation is through the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP).
 MBSAQIP Accreditation logo
 

Services

Is weight loss surgery the answer for you or your patient?
  • New Updated Criteria for Bariatric Surgery:
    • BMI ≥ 35 (no comorbidity requirement)
    • BMI 30-34.9: with Type 2 Diabetes
    • Age: 18-65, >65 case by case
    • Healthy enough to undergo a major operation
    • Failed attempts at medical weight loss
    • Absence of drug and alcohol problems, No nicotine use 
    • No uncontrolled psychological conditions
    • Consensus by multi-disciplinary team
    • Understands surgery and risks
    • No untreated potential medical causes of morbid obesity
    • MUST BE DEDICATED TO A LIFETIME OF LIFESTYLE CHANGE AND FOLLOW-UPS

Who Can Be Seen Here

  • Patients can now self-refer! Call the Tricare Appointment line (719) 524-2273 and request to schedule for the: “Bariatric Introductory Class.” This is a virtual group appointment intended to give patients an overview of our Center of Excellence program. It is offered every other Tuesday at noon.
     
  • Patients can also obtain a referral from their primary care provider to “General Surgery: Bariatric Program.
  Links* *The links above to external/non-Department of Defense resources are provided for information purposes only and should not be considered as endorsement by Evans Army Community Hospital, the U.S. Army, or the Defense Health Agency.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Q1: Who should consider bariatric surgery?
A1: Obesity is a common disease in the United States and the world. When a person has severe obesity, as with many other medical problems like heart disease and kidney disease, surgery can be the most effective treatment.

Many patients with obesity have tried to treat this on their own, with diet and exercise. Many have had some success, only to have weight regain. More often, patients have little to no success with diet and exercise alone. This is not a result of lack of willpower or the wrong diet. When a patient has a body mass index (BMI) greater than 35, their chances of reaching a normal body weight for a lasting period of time is less than 1%. That’s why surgery is an option for patients with severe obesity. Unfortunately, many patients who could benefit from surgery don’t know if surgery is right for them. Only about 1% of people who qualify actually get surgery in any given year.
 
Read more here:  https://asmbs.org/patients/benefits-of-metabolic-and-bariatric-surgery/
 
 
Q2: What are the benefits of doing this, rather than just improving your lifestyle?
A2: Our Center of Excellence Bariatric Program preoperative pathway for Metabolic and Bariatric surgery entails focusing on lifestyle changes, while preparing you for surgery. Surgery gives you the best chance at not only losing more weight than you could with lifestyle modifications/ weight loss medications, but also give you the best chance of preventing weight regain. Surgery more importantly increases your chances of improving weight related comorbidities. To assess remission of comorbidities patient can visit https://riskcalculator.facs.org/bariatric/.
 
Weight loss surgery does not just treat the disease of obesity, but it treats other conditions like diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, arthritis, and acid reflux. In addition, surgery greatly reduces the risk of death from cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and other diseases.” - https://asmbs.org/patients/benefits-of-metabolic-and-bariatric-surgery/
 
 
Q3: Who is the ideal candidate?
A3: An ideal candidate not only meets the requirements but is also committed to a lifestyle of change. They are dedicated to their health and have made their health a priority.
 
 
Q4: What are the success rates for people who get the surgery?
A4: Around 90% of patients after bariatric surgery lose 50% of excess body weight and keep this extra weight off long-term.” Patients can also use https://riskcalculator.facs.org/bariatric/ to assess expected weight loss post operatively.
When patients start to lose weight after surgery, they also feel more energetic, less pain, and more enthusiasm for doing things they have not done in years. The significant and rapid weight loss after surgery can lead to changes in hormones and lead to even more weight loss. Staying consistent with an exercise routine can improve weight loss and weight stability after surgery. Read more here: https://asmbs.org/patients/benefits-of-metabolic-and-bariatric-surgery/
 
 
Q5: What should people know before considering Bariatric/Metabolic Surgery?
A5: The wonderful aspect of our Bariatric Center of Excellence is that patients can go through our preoperative pathway without committing to surgery. I encourage patients who qualify to participate in our program as our preoperative pathway will educate you on so many aspects of lifestyle to include consults with our Dietitian Team, Wellness Center Team, Behavioral Health team and Pharmacy Team as well as an Orientation presented by one of our Bariatric Surgeons.  Before patients commit to any surgery, they first get to meet their multidisciplinary healthcare team, receive meaningful education which in turn prepares them for surgery. At the end of the pathway, if patients feel like surgery is right for them, they can elect to proceed.
 
 
Q6: What can I do to help ensure I achieve my weight loss goals after surgery?
A6: Educate yourself throughout our preoperative process and be ready and motivated for surgery. You have to work hard to maintain a strong positive mentality through the whole process and be dedicated to the lifestyle changes after surgery.  All patients in our program are given resources and support to give them the best opportunity to have a successful post operative journey. And we love helping our patients through this journey to improved health!
 
 
Q7: How does someone get a referral to the bariatric surgery center?
A7: Patients now can self-refer! Call the Tricare Appointment line (719) 524-2273 and request to schedule for the: “Bariatric Introductory Class.” This is a virtual group appointment intended to give patients an overview of our Center of Excellence program. It is offered every other Tuesday at noon.
 
Patients can also obtain a referral from their primary care provider to “General Surgery: Bariatric Program.”
 

Contact Us

Surgery

Hours

Monday - Friday from 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Closed: All Federal Holidays and Selected Training Holidays

Phone

719-524-4166

Address

Surgery
Evans Army Community Hospital
1650 Cochrane Cir
BLDG 7500 , Second Floor , Room 2201
Fort Carson, Colorado 80913

Get Directions

 

Once Inside

The General Surgery Clinic is located on the second floor of the Main Hospital. Patients should park in the “A” parking lot (red signs) just west of the main hospital; enter the main entrance of the hospital; go up the stairs or take the elevator located next to the vending machines to the second floor. At the second floor, cross the walkway and turn right. The clinic is the last clinic at the end of the hallway.
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