Introductory Seminar
This Surgeon Turns Into Weight Loss Coach at Seminars
A big attraction at sports bars on wintery Monday nights is the televised NFL game. The weekly Monday night seminars conducted by Yves Manigat, M.D., focus on a topic far removed from football, but the crowd has a similarly singular sense of purpose.
They want to win at losing weight. Lots of weight.
Invited to the session are morbidly obese men and women with serious interest in weight loss surgery. Dr. Manigat explains the principles of bariatric surgery, including the two primary types: restrictive (restricting food volume) and malabsorptive (preventing some absorption by the small intestine).
"Many people have researched this and some come in with their mind made up about what procedure to have" said Dr. Manigat. "We tell them that we do both procedures laparoscopically—gastric bypass and adjustable gastric band—and we don't want to persuade them one way or another.
"But we want them to know the specifics of each procedure, how it is done, the benefits, drawbacks and potential complications."
After the one-hour session, Dr. Manigat will physically examine those persons who want to continue the process. He interviews them and provides them with a questionnaire to give the physician insight into the person's lifestyle and eating habits.
"I also reserve the right, if I see them making the absolutely wrong decision, to show them why one procedure—for them—is better than another," he said.
"That's because there is more than one thing to take into consideration—the age of patient, any underlying disease they may have, even their size could be a factor. So there is a lot to consider."
The decision to have a specific type of surgery is by no means the last step in the process. Securing insurance approval for the surgery can take anywhere from three-to-six months, said Dr. Manigat.
While that takes place, the patient maintains contact with the surgeon's office and any outstanding issues are resolved. If the patient's lifestyle questionnaire indicates a need for psychological counseling, the physician refers the patient to a mental health professional, associated with the program, who can provide such services.
And a nutritionist will prepare the patient for the major dietary changes required post-surgery.
To locate a Lourdes Health System bariatric surgeon by phone, call 1-888-LOURDES.
