- Medical Weight LossWeight loss surgeries/procedures fall into several different categories. Some surgeries/procedures fall into more than one category. They are as follows...
- Nutritional CounselingAllison Roach is a registered dietitian with 21 years of experience. Her experience includes GI, Renal, long term care and her special interest is nutrition counseling. Allison loves being a dietician because she is able to help people achieve their health and wellness goals. In her free time, she enjoys exercising, reading and also makes time for being an advisor for Kapp Alpha Theta.
- Primary CareMost individuals will want skin removal after massive weight loss. For sleeve and gastric bypass patients we can start the process for trying to obtain insurance approval about a year out from surgery. For Duodenal Switch patients the process can typically be started 1.5 years out from surgery as there is typically more weight that is lost for them. Any issues with skin fold irritation or infection should be documented by the primary care provider with documentation of prescriptions so that information can be gathered and sent to the insurance along with pictures documenting the amount of excess skin and the irritated skin folds. Not all insurance cover skin removal however the ones that do will typically want to see that the excess belly skin hangs below the pubic bone. If it does not, then they will not approve surgery. Even if it does, they sometimes will not approve the surgery and the process can take some time. Medicare never approves skin removal. There are self-pay options that can be discussed with my office staff that include medical loans and different payment options if you choose to pursue skin removal on a self-pay basis. It is not vain to want to have your excess skin removed. Now that you have accomplished your weight loss and improved health goals, there is nothing wrong with wanting to look better and have your clothes fit properly and to not have your excess skin be cumbersome during exercise or daily activities. Don’t feel ashamed or judge yourself for wanting to have your excess skin removed. It is perfectly natural and acceptable.
- High Cholesterol
- Urinary Incontinence
- Female Infertility
- Gastroenterology
- Endoscopy5. ASGE/ASMBS Task Force on Endoscopic Bariatric Therapy. Preservation and Incorporation of Valuable Endoscopic Innovations (PIVI) on Endoscopic Bariatric Procedures. Gastrointestinal Endoscopy 2012;74:943-53.
- Depression
- Diabetes Care
- General Surgery
- Minimally Invasive SurgeryThe sleeve gastrectomy is now the most commonly performed bariatric surgery worldwide. Approximately 70% of the stomach is removed laparoscopically (minimally invasive surgery with small incisions and belly is filled with gas) so that the stomach is reshaped from being like an oblong football to being like a thin tube or banana. There is no bypassing of the intestine with the sleeve. The advantage of the sleeve is that there is less risk for vitamin deficiency and there is no restriction in the types of medications that can be taken after sleeve surgery. The disadvantage of the sleeve is that there is less weight loss and long-term success compared to Gastric Bypass or Switch surgery. The other disadvantage is that there is a slight chance of worsening or new-onset reflux (heartburn) after sleeve surgery (your risk for this will be determined at the time of your evaluation).
- Vascular SurgeryVASCULAR SURGERY RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP, St Lukes/Roosevelt Hospital Center, University Hospital of Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons
- Robotic SurgeryDr. Syn grew up in California and went to medical school and completed surgical training in New York. Since finishing his training in 2002 he has been practicing bariatric surgery in Lubbock, TX. He loves Texas and it is his home now and he has no plans for relocating from this great state. He is very passionate about his patients and his practice and in innovating to ensure the very best most up to date care for his patients. He has performed approximately 5,000 primary (first time) bariatric operations and over 1,000 revisional (redo) operations (most revisions by a single surgeon world-wide). Dr. Syn was trained in bariatric surgery during his residency and in practice has been trained additionally in robotic surgery and incisionless bariatric surgeries (EBTs, Endoscopic Bariatric Therapies). He performs minimally invasive Sleeve gastrectomies, Gastric Bypasses, Duodenal switch surgeries (standard and loop) and incisionless surgeries such as ESG (Endoscopic Sleeve gastroplasty) and has performed some of the most complex revisional operations possible. Dr. Syn also performs body contouring surgeries for his patients after massive weight loss. Dr. Syn has served as medical director for bariatric surgery at all the major hospitals in Lubbock and has advocated for better access for his patients at all levels. Dr. Syn is constantly looking at ways to improve surgeries and delivery of care, to make them safer and more effective and has multiple patents pending pertaining to such improvements.
- Laparoscopic Surgery
- Body Contouring
- Bariatric SurgeryTake a step toward a healthier life right now by contacting The Advanced Bariatric Surgery Center today. From incisionless sleeves, sleeve gastrectomy to gastric bypass and switch surgery, the goal of The Advanced Bariatric Surgery Center in Lubbock, Texas, is to get you on track to enjoying a healthier lifestyle and reducing your health risks.
- UlcerCombination procedures refer to operations in which the stomach is made smaller and less than 50% of the small intestine is bypassed. Gastric Bypass or Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB), is the best example. In a gastric bypass a very small stomach pouch is made from the upper most part of the stomach. The remainder of the stomach and the top 10% of the small intestine is then bypassed. The bottom 90% of the small intestine is then connected to the pouch. Nothing is typically removed and the bottom of the stomach and the upper 10% of the small intestine drain by a connection lower down to join the food. The stomach and upper 10% contain important enzymes and juices that the body needs to properly digest so they are not removed. RYGB is especially good for treating people with Heartburn as there is a 100% success rate with resolving acid reflux after RYGB. The down side of a RYGB is that the pylorus is not part of the food channel anymore and therefore patients can get ulcers right after the pouch if they take in the medications that can cause an ulcer which are called NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs). NSAIDs include such medications as Aspirin, Motrin, Advil, ibuprofen, Naprosyn, Aleve. Tylenol is not an NSAID, therefore can be taken by patients that choose RYGB. Since the pylorus is not part of the food channel in a RYGB the food is not slowed down as much and RYGB patients are less tolerant to sugars and fats. Sugars and fats in the diet can cause significant discomfort with bloating, cramping, sweating, flushing and this effect is called Dumping Syndrome.