Department of Surgery News | Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University

<BIG>NEW BARIATRIC SURGERY INPATIENT UNIT IS OPENED — SPECIALLY TAILORED FOR PATIENTS</BIG>
 
Dedicated Unit Enhances Resources Available to Bariatric Patients

<DIV class=photobox2><IMG title="Opening Ceremony of New Bariatric Inpatient Unit at Stony Brook" alt="Opening Ceremony of New Bariatric Inpatient Unit at Stony Brook" src="/sdmpubfiles/New%20Bariatric%20Unit.png" width=180 height=220> </DIV>
STONY BROOK, NY, July 27, 2012 — The <A href="http://bariatrics.stonybrookmedicalcenter.org/" target=_blank>Bariatric and Metabolic Weight Loss Center</A> at Stony Brook University Hospital has opened a dedicated patient unit located on the hospital's ninth floor designed to accommodate the unique needs of the bariatric patient population. As it nears its first anniversary, Stony Brook Bariatric and Metabolic Weight Loss Center currently has 400 patients enrolled. The new unit was created to support the rapidly growing program. 
According to <A href="/surgery/people/faculty/dr-aurora-d-pryor" target=_blank>Aurora D. Pryor, MD</A>, professor of surgery and chief of general surgery, and director of the Bariatric and Metabolic Weight Loss Center, the bariatric unit is an added and important resource to her team of bariatric surgeons who perform advanced, minimally invasive weight loss surgery.
The new private bariatric inpatient rooms are furnished with special beds and chairs for the comfort of larger patients. These spacious accommodations are designed to provide patients with more room to get up and start walking, allowing for a quicker recovery time. Glass-tiled bathrooms are spa-like in design and equipped with larger showers and high-quality, safety-conscious grab bars and fixtures. The rooms also have lift systems and air-inflated hover mats for safe and easy transfer to a bed or stretcher.
"Patients are excited by our comprehensive medical and surgical programs within our center and the array of procedures we can do laparoscopically," says Dr. Pryor. The new unit reflects Stony Brook's commitment to helping bariatric surgery patients feel comfortable, recover faster, experience a smoother stay and receive the highest quality care."

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<img src="/sdmpubfiles/cckimages/page/baritaric-room-animated.gif" width="500" height="333" alt="Our new customized room for bariatric patients" title="Our New Customized Room for Bariatric Patients" />
<div class="caption">Stony Brook's new private bariatric inpatient rooms are furnished with special beds and chairs for the comfort of larger patients. These spacious accommodations are designed to provide patients with more room to get up and start walking, allowing for a quicker recovery time.</div>
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Patient Success Story
Gastric bypass patient Kathleen Johnson is a typical example. Johnson, age 46, is a critical care emergency medical technician and Port Jefferson's volunteer ambulance chief. She had her first weight loss surgery 12 years ago at another facility when she was 365 pounds. Multiple complications, severe infections, additional open surgeries and lengthy hospitalizations over the next decade left her in chronic pain and struggling with obesity again, when she was referred to Dr. Pryor.
"Because of all the problems I had with my weight loss surgery before, I developed a great deal of internal scar tissue that was causing severe pain," Johnson says. "Equally important, I needed help with my weight. In all honesty, I thought I was going to have to have another large, open surgery. I didn't believe Dr. Pryor could remove the scar tissue as well re-do my gastric bypass using just a laparoscope and a couple of tiny incisions. Not only did she do so successfully, but soon afterward I was pain-free for the first time in years."
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Kathleen Johnson once weighed 365 pounds and now, following her surgery here at Stony Brook in February after problems with surgery done elsewhere, she feels great and is just 14 pounds from her goal weight.</DIV>
Johnson, whose surgery at Stony Brook was performed on Feb. 7, is now just 14 pounds from her goal weight. She is working and volunteering 60 to 80 hours a week, and in her spare time, walking her neighborhood in Mount Sinai, NY, camping with her friends and enjoying time with her extended family. "I credit the programs and people at Stony Brook," she says.
Another addition to the program will occur on Aug. 1, when bariatric surgeon <A href="/surgery/people/faculty/dr-dana-a-telem" target=_blank>Dana A. Telem, MD</A>, joins our faculty. Dr. Telem will enhance the bariatric center's multidisciplinary team that includes anesthesiologists, diabetes specialists/endocrinologists, dietitians/nutritionists, gastrointestinal specialists, nurse practitioners, occupational therapists, orthopedic surgeons, physical therapists, physician assistants, plastic surgeons, program coordinators, psychologists, and sleep specialists.
Learn more about our Bariatric and Metabolic Weight Loss Center by watching an online webinar at <A href="http://bariatrics.stonybrookmedicine.edu/webinar" target=_blank>www.bariatrics.stonybrookmedicine.edu/webinar</A>.

Or join the program's physicians and staff at a free community seminar held regularly. Call HealthConnect at 631-444-4000 to register.
For more information about the Bariatric and Metabolic Weight Loss Center, call Catherine Tuppo, program coordinator, at 631-444-BARI (2274).
<A href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77316074@N05/sets/72157630759837006" target=_blank>Click here</A> to see photos of the new private bariatric inpatient rooms and our staff.