Foothills Weight Loss Specialists Performs First Robotically Assisted Gastric Bypass Surgery in East Tennessee
Monday, January 11, 2010
Using the latest in surgical robotic technology, Foothills Weight Loss Specialists medical director and bariatric surgeon Dr. Mark A. Colquitt recently performed the first robotically assisted, laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery in East Tennessee. The da Vinci system, a four-armed robot that mimics the hand and finger motions of the surgeon, provides more surgical precision than typical laparoscopic surgery and is much less invasive than traditional "open" surgery.
"Being the first to use this method for gastrointestinal surgery in East Tennessee, my top priority was a successful patient outcome," Dr. Colquitt said. "The da Vinci system is a tremendous breakthrough in surgical technology and will provide outstanding patient outcomes."
Gastric bypass surgery, designed to help morbidly obese people lose weight by reducing the size of the stomach, can be performed through a single large incision or laparoscopically, and laparoscopic eligibility is determined based on a number of patient factors. Laparoscopic surgeries involve several small incisions, just large enough for the instruments to pass through. This method usually results in fewer complications, shorter recovery times, less post-operative pain and a quicker return to normal activities than the single-incision method.
The unique da Vinci Robotic Surgical System affords the surgeon a better view than standard laparoscopic surgery, using high definition, three-dimensional imaging in contrast to standard two dimensional view. In addition, the robotic mechanism offers more precision, greater magnification and easier manipulation, making the operation less tiring for surgeons. Recent studies at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center indicate robotically assisted surgery results in the least post operative complications for bariatric surgery and the quickest recovery times.
"The robotic technology makes hand sewing much easier by allowing surgeons better access to some of the hard-to-reach abdominal and gastrointestinal areas. This allows us to perform the delicate and challenging bypass procedure with even greater precision," Dr. Colquitt noted. "The most important advantage is the ability to make very precise incisions and sutures, resulting in the most effective surgical outcomes for our patients. I believe this state-of-the-art method will soon become the preferred technique for bariatric and many other surgical specialties."
Since 2002, Foothills Weight Loss Specialists board-certified surgeons Dr. Mark Colquitt and Dr. Jonathan Ray have helped more than 1,000 patients lose a total of over 75,000 pounds - over 37 tons - through bariatric surgery. Foothills offers a range of surgical weight loss options, including gastric bypass, Realize adjustable gastric band, LAP-BAND®, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, and the ROSE procedure.
Foothills Weight Loss Specialists offers free informational seminars. For a list of upcoming seminars or to register, visit http://www.foothillsweightloss.com or call 1-866-300-8644.
Located in Maryville, Tenn., Foothills Weight Loss Specialists has been designated a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. Foothills Weight Loss Specialists is a division of Premier Surgical Associates and works in partnership with the Blount Memorial Weight Management Center. For more information and to read the practice's "Weighing In" blog, visit http://www.foothillsweightloss.com. For more information about Premier Surgical Associates, visit http:// www.premiersurgical.com.