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Achieve and maintain your goal weight for life with weight-loss counseling and bariatric surgery solutions.
Dr. Christopher Finnell of United Regional Physician Group specializes in laparoscopic (minimally invasive) bariatric surgery procedures as part of a holistic program including nutrition and exercise counseling, and support groups to help you lose weight safely – and keep it off. Simply stated, bariatric surgery helps patients eat less by reducing the size of the stomach, using mechanisms that vary by procedure.
To make an appointment please call 940-764-5400.
Christopher Finnell, MD, FACS
Bariatric Surgery
Emily Rusk, FNP-C
Nurse Practitioner
Bariatric Surgery Procedures
What do you stand to gain by losing? Energy, improved health, quality of life — the list goes on. But weight loss is difficult even when the potential gains are kept in mind. When diet and exercise alone aren’t enough to achieve an appropriate weight for overall good health and active life, bariatric surgery may be the answer.
Bariatric surgery provides the longest period of sustained weight loss when all other methods have failed. It has also been shown to improve obesity-related health conditions, including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and joint pain.
Lap Sleeve Gastrectomy
This procedure creates a vertical “sleeve” of stomach, about the size of a banana, using a stapling device. The rest of the stomach is removed. The smaller pouch restricts food intake, and because part of the stomach is removed, hunger hormones are reduced.
Lap Gastric Bypass
Dr. Finnell creates a small stomach pouch using a stapling device and attaches a section of the small intestine directly to the pouch to allow food to “bypass” a section of the small intestine. The gastric bypass changes the body’s normal digestive process by re-routing a section of the small intestine to the newly created stomach pouch. The small size of the pouch restricts food intake while the intestinal bypass reduces the amount of calories absorbed by the body.
Bariatric Surgery Success Stories
Michael Wells’ Story
“Looking back, I can’t wrap my mind around the fact that I was that big. I just never felt that big.” — Michael Wells
Michael went from weighing 320 pounds on the day of his surgery to 197 pounds on the one-year anniversary. He’s also dropped from being a 4XL to XL in shirt size and has gone from size 42 pants to fit into size 32 pants.
For those contemplating about asking a doctor about weight loss options such as the lap sleeve gastrectomy, Wells said they definitely should at least start the conversation.
Read Michael’s story here!
The Dunlap’s Story
“We did this for our two grandchildren we are raising and our other two grandchildren who live nearby and come visit.”
— Debbie Dunlap
Dirk and Debbie Dunlap found themselves overweight and needing help making a change in order to be there for their family. Take a look at the Dunlap’s story, one year after surgery.
The Lambert’s Story
“Dr. Finnell saved my life.” — Jason Lambert
Christy and Jason Lambert discuss the many positive changes they have experienced one year after bariatric surgery – including reduction of medications, improved mobility, and no longer having to rely on a sleep apnea machine. They also talk about the process leading up to, during, and after the surgery.
Bariatric Surgery Resources
Bariatric Surgery Support Group
We understand that your surgical weight loss journey shouldn’t be traveled alone. That is why we maintain our Bariatric Surgery Support Group for those preparing for surgery and those of you who are post-surgical. Click here to learn more.
Using Telemedicine
Bariatric Surgery Guide
Our Bariatric Surgery Guide describes each surgery as well as pre-surgery preparation and post-op care requirements.