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Centegra Health System > Services and Centers of Excellence > Weight-Loss Surgery Center > Centegra Weight-Loss Surgery Center
Join us for a free informational session! This is a decision that will change the rest of your life, and we are here to help. Your weight is not your fate. Many of our patients who have made this same decision want to share their experiences and their fantastic results. Check out our patient's stories! See below about how to sign up for our free monthly informational session to learn much more. The Centegra Weight-Loss Surgery Center Program The Centegra Weight-Loss Surgery Center offers a multi-disciplinary approach to significant weight loss for individuals when all other forms of dieting have failed. This is a comprehensive approach to the whole person combining surgery with behavior-based counseling, exercise, and nutritional counseling to achieve the most effective results possible. Following surgery patients are encouraged to participate in a support group that further encourages sticking to the program and achieving weight loss goals. The Bariatric program is located at Centegra Hospital – Woodstock (formerly Centegra Memorial Medical Center). Our program is unique in its approach to the care of the morbidly obese patient. What sets Centegra apart is the personalized continuum of care provided to patients through our multidisciplinary clinic. Our bariatric services program includes a team of nutritionists, mental health clinicians, exercise physiologists and other healthcare professionals. We provide comprehensive support services designed to meet all your needs. We are a center committed to the long-term management, support and care of our patients. Our extensive bariatric services program offers everything you need - from informational meetings and pre-operative testing to postoperative support and exercise programs. Our commitment to you does not end after surgery. Our life-long support system will monitor your long-term health status and weight loss success. Our minimally-invasive surgery procedures include:
Meet Amir J. Heydari, MD, FACS
Dr. Amir Heydari is passionate in his belief that the disease of obesity and the alarming rise in individuals who are overweight demand the attention of the community, as well as the expertise of medical specialists to treat this serious health condition from both a surgical and non-surgical fashion. Dr. Heydari is a practicing board certified, general, bariatric, oncologic and laparoscopic surgeon. He has held privileges for the last 13 years at Centegra Hospital – McHenry (formerly Centegra Northern Illinois Medical Center), Centegra Hospital – Woodstock (formerly Centegra Memorial Medical Center). He has served in a variety of medical staff positions, including medical staff president and the Chairman of Department of Surgery. Dr. Heydari received his Medical Doctor degree from the University of Colorado Health Science Center, in 1990, while holding the position of Class President for 3 consecutive years. He completed his internship and General Surgical Residency at the University of Iowa, Hospitals and Clinics, where he served as Chief Administrative Resident in 1995. While at the University of Iowa, he trained under Dr. Edward E. Mason, the father of Bariatric Surgery, and pioneer of operations such as Gastric Bypass and Vertical Banded Gastroplasty (VBG). Among his many awards, are included the two he is most proud of: The Edward E. Mason Award, and Teacher of the Year Award. Over the past 5 years, Dr. Heydari has dedicated a great part of his practice to minimally invasive weight loss (bariatric) surgeries, and care of overweight patients. Due to his commitment and strong conviction toward winning the battle against obesity, he has expanded his bariatric surgical practice to include a medically managed weight loss program, BMI Weight Busters, Inc. His desire and vision is to cater to the individual needs of any person who wishes to live a healthier life. Additional Memberships Include:
When Diet and Exercise Alone Are Not Enough Traditional weight loss methods such as diets and exercise programs are the first steps to developing a healthier lifestyle. Unfortunately, when these methods have failed the result can lead to a progressive, serious and debilitating disease called morbid obesity. Some researchers consider morbid obesity to be the second leading preventable cause of death in North America with an estimated 10-15 million Americans who are considered morbidly obese. These people have increased risks for serious diseases and the likelihood of shorter life expectancy because of being so overweight. Some of the serious health problems include:
Now, you can find a way to achieve substantial long-term weight loss and put an end to morbid obesity through Bariatric Surgery that includes Gastric Bypass and LapBand surgery. Bariatric Surgery is recognized by the American Heart Association and the American College of Surgeons and endorsed by the National Institutes of Health as the most effective treatment for morbid obesity. The Centegra Weight-Loss Surgery Center Team Our bariatric team, headed by specially-trained surgeon, Amir Heydari, MD, includes physicians, nurses, psychotherapists, exercise physiologists and dietitians who have a singular interest in the problems caused by morbid obesity. The team is dedicated to the improvement of lifestyle and health of overweight people through weight loss from surgery, while recognizing the contributions of mental health, nutritional support and physical activity to this process. We work together to provide you with safe quality care with genuine respect, passionate caring and a joyful spirit. Joins Us for a free Informational Session! If your weight is keeping you from living the life you would like to live, we encourage you to learn more about how Bariatric Surgery can help you set you free. Everyone considering Bariatric Surgery should learn as much as possible about the procedure as well as the other weight-loss options available so that they may make the most informed decision. The Centegra Weight-Loss Surgery Center offers monthly informational sessions to help you decide if Bariatric Surgery is right for you. To sign up for the next FREE informational session call 815-206-3411. A trained professional can assist you with basic informational questions and reserve a place for you at the next session. Upcoming Informational Sessions: Sessions are held at Centegra Hospital – Woodstock (formerly Centegra Memorial Medical Center), 3701 Doty Road, Woodstock, IL on the forth Wednesday of every month from 6 - 8pm. In addition, we have added a monthly Saturday session. Check out upcoming sessions on the Centegra Calendar. Q & A’s What is Bariatric Surgery? How Does it Work? Centegra’s Bariatric Surgeons perform three weight loss procedures using the laparoscopic approach; the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, the Lap Band procedure, and the Sleeve Gastrectomy. The Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass procedure has been performed for the past 20 years more than any other weight loss procedure in the United States. It is also known by the common name of "gastric bypass." The procedure restricts both the food intake and amount of calories and nutrients the body absorbs. A small pouch is created to restrict food intake. Next a "Y" shaped section of the small intestine is attached to the pouch to allow food to bypass the lower stomach and the first portion of the small intestines the duodenum and the first portion of the jejunum. The Lap Band was FDA approved in June 2001. The Lap Band procedure is an adjustable gastric band that is placed around the upper part of the stomach. The band restricts the amount of food the stomach can contain. Adjustments are made through a port that is placed under the skin. It is the only adjustable, reversible obesity surgery that does not require cutting and stapling of the stomach or GI re-routing to bypass normal digestion. The Sleeve Gastrectomy is a restrictive procedure that involves most of the stomach being removed from the body creating a “sleeve” shaped stomach. The patient loses weight because they are only able to eat a small amount of food at a time. How Do I Know if I'm a Candidate for This Procedure? If you are more than 100 pounds overweight and have tried and failed to lose weight, or if you suffer from obesity-related health problems such as heart disease, diabetes or sleep apnea, joint disease or infertility, Bariatric Surgery may be right for you. If you feel that you may be a candidate for Bariatric Surgery call 815-206-3411 to sign up for the next informational session. Come and meet our team and learn more about Centegra's Weight-Loss Surgery Center. What are the Results? Having bariatric surgery is not a guarantee for weight loss. It is designed to be a tool that will allow you to retrain your eating habits and begin to make lifestyle changes necessary to achieve and maintain weight loss. The amount of weight loss depends upon your commitment to adhere to the post-operative diet and exercise recommendations. A measure of success is the loss of 50 percent of an individual's excess body fat. What are the Risks? As with any procedure, there are risks to undergo weight loss surgery and you’ll need to be aware of all major risks and possible complications associated with this type of surgery. Our team will review these with you. How will my Diet and Lifestyle Change Following the Procedure? As previously mentioned, having weight loss surgery is not enough. Your success will depend on your commitment to making the necessary changes in your lifestyle. This commitment to change is a life-long process that begins with the decision to undergo surgery. If you are committed to making the necessary changes, we are here to assist you with your journey to a new life. Some of the necessary changes include life-long medical follow up, changes in your eating habits and inclusion of a daily exercise regime. Our healthcare team will review these with you. Does Insurance Cover this Procedure? Your insurance may cover all or a portion of this procedure and the follow-up treatment. You should check with your insurance company regarding your individual coverage. Our financial counselors will assist you in your efforts. In some cases, not all of the charges will be covered and the individual will be responsible for those costs. Support Group Centegra Bariatric Support Group The Centegra Weight-Loss Surgery Center offers a support group that meets regularly to assist those who have chosen weight loss surgery to help them combat obesity. The support group meets twice each month at Centegra Memorial Medical Center and offers individuals a support group environment on their journey to weight loss and a healthier life. Guest speakers provide insight and assistance. The group is active in hosting events and celebrations throughout the year. For more information check the Centegra Calendar or call 815-206-3411. The Centegra Weight-Loss Surgery Center A trained professional can assist you with basic informational questions and reserve a place for you at the next session. 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