How To Lose Weight

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Bariatric

Surgery

Help for serious

weight problems

W

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[news]

Lt. Governor Casey Cagle shows off one of Dr. Burkett’s twins, both NICU graduates, while Sen. Nan Orrock, left, looks on. Dr. Burkett (shown at right holding her other twin) and Mr. Cagle spoke during ceremonies held in the Boulevard Lobby.

Letter from the CEO

Dear neighbors,

We’re already a month into the new year, and I’d like to express my sincere hope on behalf of Atlanta Medical Center (AMC) that you’ve had a happy and blessed holiday season and have em-braced the new year with open arms.

I realize this is a time of renewal and of resolutions to do things better—or perhaps differently—this year. With that in mind, please remember that AMC stands ready to partner with you on your health and wellness goals for 2008.

We were recently recognized by the American Heart Association for our success in cardiac care. (See photo below). We’ve also partnered with the March of Dimes to provide an advanced level of support to our tiniest patients and their families.

Additionally, AMC offers nationally recognized care in surgi-cal weight-loss management. We know that diet and exercise often top the list of resolutions for the new year, but for some people, bariatric surgery may also be an option. AMC has been recognized as a Bariatric Center of Excellence by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. find out more on pages 4 and 5.

this outstanding program has helped many people over-come one of the greatest challenges of their lives. Whether it’s weight loss or ongoing wellness challenges, please know that we are your intown health care partner, and our doors are always open.

William t. Moore, President and CEO

[AMC partners for

NICU Support Program ]

families of babies in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Atlanta Medical Center (AMC) now have more support and educational opportunities, thanks to a part-nership between the medical center and the March of Dimes.

tuesday, Nov. 6, marked the offi cial kickoff of the March of Dimes NICU family Support Program, making AMC only the second hospital in Georgia to have such a partnership. the family Support Program provides infor-mation and comfort to families of premature and other critically ill newborns being cared for in the NICU.

Ceremonies marking the beginning of this partnership included remarks from Lt. Governor Casey Cagle; March of Dimes State Director Mark Gibson with a NICU graduate family; and Allison Burkett, MD, former surgical resident at AMC.

William T. Moore, President and CEO

The American Heart Association recognized Atlanta Medical Center for earning the Annual Performance Achievement Award, the Initial Performance Achievement Award, and 2006 Program Awards in coronary artery disease and heart failure.

Thank you to our EMS teams

Emergency Medical Services providers play an important role in bringing prehospital care to patients treated at AMC. Several times each year, AMC’s emergency and trauma staff pay tribute to these EMS teams by hosting a cookout to thank them for the work they do.

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Atlanta Medical Center cares about you both on and off the job. We offer great benefits to you and your dependents, such as:

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Vacation.

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Sick time.

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Medical, dental and vision insurance.

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Life and AD&D insurance.

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Disability and long-term care insurance.

[How working at AMC can benefit you]

HealtH tip

are you considering a career at aMC? We would love to have you be part of our family. Find out about available job opportunities by visiting our website, www.atlanta medcenter.com, and clicking on the “Careers” tab. Or call Human Re-sources at 404-265-4227.

When you find something you like, you usually tell your friends and family about it. Whether it’s a great restaurant, a good dentist, an entertaining movie or a use-ful shortcut—when you’re excited about something, it’s fun to share it. that’s exactly how eric lomboy, RN, BSN, clinical coordinator of cardiac services, came to work at atlanta Medical Center (aMC).

“My mom’s worked here for over 25 years, since the hospital was called Georgia Baptist,” Eric says.

Eric’s aunt was the first family mem-ber to work for the hospital, as a nurse in the Mother-Baby Unit, and she recruited his mom in the late 1970s. “I actually was born in this hospital,” Eric says. “It was like fate.”

In addition to Eric’s mother and aunt, his brother also works as a respiratory

therapist at the hospital. And his sister, who is about to complete her nursing degree, has plans to apply to the emer-gency room at AMC.

It may seem unusual that all three siblings are interested in working at the same place. But Eric says that they all have “grown up” at the hospital. As teen-agers, all three worked as Volun-teens—volunteers in AMC’s program for high schoolers who are interested in getting medical experience. Later, while completing his nursing degree at Emory University, Eric worked at AMC as a physical therapy aide.

“The environment was really nice, so I kept this hospital in mind when I graduated from college,” he says. “They offer programs like loan payoff or a sign-ing bonus. And I’d met a lot of really cool nurses, staff and physicians when I was working here.”

Eric has now worked at the hospital for four years. He describes his depart-ment as “close-knit.” “It feels like family here,” he says. And working in cardiac care is rewarding. “You know what you’re doing is instantly helping the patient. You fix a patient, and you automatically take away the pain or put the patient in com-fort. It’s instant gratification,” Eric says.

Why many generations

of one family work at aMC

It’S A fAMILy AffAIr:

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401(k) retirement Savings Plan.

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flexible spending accounts.

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Stock Purchase Plan.

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tuition reimbursement, Student Loan repayment and Loan Consolidation Program.

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Employee Assistance and Work/Life Program.

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Leaves of absence.

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tenet federal Credit Union.

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Wellness Plan.

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free parking.

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food court.

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Continuing education.

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Employee recognition Program.

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tenet Disaster relief fund.

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tenet Children of Employees Scholar-ship Program.

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Matching Gift fund.

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Voluntary Involvement Program. The Lomboys head to the same place for

work every day. Mother Norma and sons Eric (right) and Michael all are employed at AMC. A sister may soon join them.

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[healthy weight]

Bariatric

surgery

HealtH tip

Medical insurance coverage for weight-loss surgery varies by insurance provider. if you’re considering surgery, check with your insurance provider to fi nd out if the procedure is covered.

Some people want to lose weight to look a little better or to fi t into a smaller pair of jeans. But for others, shedding extra pounds is a very real health concern.

For some people who aren’t able to lose weight in other ways, bariatric—or weight-loss— surgery may be helpful.

AN OPTION WHEN THE WEIGHT HAS TO GO

Titus D. Duncan, MD, Medical Director of Bariatric Surgery

In exercise, as in life, it’s good to set goals. they can help you get on the course to better health.

your goals should be:

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Realistic. If you can’t achieve your

exercise goals, you may become disheartened and give up. Be reason-able and start slowly—even fi ve or 10 minutes of daily activity can steer

you in the right direction.

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Specifi c. Don’t just say, “I’ll start

exercising.” Instead, you might say you will take 15-minute walks on four days of the week. then you can work your way up to 0-minute walks, fi ve days a week.

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Forgiving and ﬂ exible. Some days,

for various reasons, you may not Is it for me?

“Not everyone is a candidate for weight-loss surgery,” says Titus D. Duncan, MD, AMC’s Surgical Weight Loss Program director. “Complications can occur, and a few of them may be serious.” How-ever, he adds, “People who undergo this procedure can lose important weight—

enough to possibly alleviate health prob-lems that stemmed from weight gain.”

Generally, surgery is reserved for people who are seriously obese—about 100 pounds or more overweight—notes the National Institutes of Health. A candidate must have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or above or have a BMI of

Check these out!

atlanta Medical Center Bariatric Seminars

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third Saturday of each month, 1 p.m., AMC Wellness Center

Bariatric Support Groups

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Second thursday and third Saturday of each month, AMC Wellness Center

Call 888-457-5204 to register.

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Combined restrictive and mal-absorptive operations both restrict

the amount of food the stomach can hold and enable food to bypass part of the small intestine, which limits calorie absorption. Gastric bypass surgery is one example.

Just the start

Regardless of the type you choose, weight-loss surgery requires a lifelong

Are you overweight? Just right? Not sure? to fi nd out, calculate your body mass index, or BMI.

this number is a good indicator of your body fat, notes the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Knowing your BMI can help you determine if you might need to lose some weight.

Using your height and weight, you can calculate your BMI with this formula.

1

} Multiply your weight in pounds by 700.

2

} Divide that number by your height in inches.

} Divide that number by your height in inches again.

the result is your BMI.

Next, see how your BMI stacks up. Weight categories

are as follows:

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Less than 18.5: Underweight.

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18.5 to

24.9: Normal.

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25.0 to 29.9: Overweight.

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0 or higher:

Obese.

Because BMI doesn’t directly measure body fat, it may not be an accurate reﬂ ection of overweight for some people, including those who are extremely muscular. Whatever your result, it’s always important to ask your doctor what a healthy weight for you would be.

your doctor can give advice on how to reach a healthier BMI.

How does your BMI measure up?

Top-notch care

Atlanta Medical Center (AMC) has been designated a Bariatric Center of Excellence by the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.

Doctors performing bariatric surgery at AMC include:

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Celio Burrowes, MD

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titus D. Duncan, MD

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Clarence Hixon, MD

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Larry Hobson, MD

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Qammar rashid, MD

Bariatric surgery can lead to significant weight reduction

that may improve many weight-related health problems.

35 or above with a serious obesity-related condition, such as diabetes, high blood pressure or obstructive sleep apnea.

Know your options

If you’re considering weight-loss surgery, you may be able to choose from different options.

Restrictive operations, which

in-clude the use of gastric bands, limit the amount of food the stomach can hold.

commitment to healthy eating and exercise and ongoing medical check-ups. It’s important to talk to your doctor about the risks and benefi ts so that you can make an informed decision.

You can learn more by visiting the Weight-control Information Network on the website of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases at

www.win.niddk.nih.gov.

[Setting exercise goals]

be able to exercise. take this into account, and don’t be too hard on yourself. Just get back on track the next day.

Ask for your doctor’s help in plan-ning a safe exercise program and setting appropriate goals.

Sources: Arthritis foundation; National Institutes of Health

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No more excuses. today is the day for you to con-front your back pain head on. and the good news is that atlanta Medical Center is here to help. We

know you’re busy. We know that you have a meeting to run, kids to pick up and a life to lead. But we also know that we can help you ease that nagging pain in your back. So stop hiding, deny-ing or maskdeny-ing your pain.

Call 866-SpiNe-55 (866-774-6355) and fi nd out how the Spine Specialists of atlanta

Medical Center can help you today.

[spine specialists]

Hope

for

back pain

learn about ways to keep your back healthy! Request your free Back Basics booklet today by calling 866-SpiNe-55 (866-774-6355).

"!#+

"ASICS #AUSESAIN 0REVENTINGY 4REATINGHE XXXBUMBOUBNFEDFOUFSDPN

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[your health]

PAD:

Your legs

could be telling

you something

AMC will host free ankle-brachial index (ABI) screenings in March, which includes blood pressure checks at the arm and ankle, at its Inman Park Physicians practice on N. Highland Avenue. Come in for a basic circulation check. Call 888-457-5204 to schedule an appointment.

[Free screening for

peripheral vascular disease]

Sometimes warnings about your health can come from an unexpected source: your legs.

You shouldn’t dismiss leg pain, numbness or other symptoms as the normal aches and pains of aging because they could signal the narrowing of vessels that carry blood away from the heart.

Plaque, a substance made up of fat and cholesterol, can build up on the inside walls of the arteries and restrict normal blood ﬂ ow. This can affect arteries any-where in the body.

When it affects the arteries of the heart, it can cause a heart attack. When it affects the arteries supplying the brain, it can lead to a stroke. Plaque buildup in the arteries that supply blood to the kidneys, stomach, arms, legs or feet is called peripheral arterial disease (PAD).

The risks of PAD are serious. Com-pared with the rest of the population, a person with PAD is six to seven times

ankle-brachial index test that compares blood pressure levels in your ankle with that in your arm. Another option is an-giography, an imaging test that uses a dye injected into the blood vessels to allow doctors to watch blood ﬂ ow through the arteries. A medical history, physical exam or ultrasound may also be used to diag-nose PAD.

The next step

People diagnosed with PAD can usually be treated with lifestyle changes, medications or a combination of both.

Lifestyle changes include quitting smoking, managing diabetes, controlling blood pressure, exercising and eating a healthy diet.

Medications may be prescribed to lower cholesterol or blood pressure, control blood sugar for people with diabetes, prevent blood clots, or relieve certain symptoms.

If lifestyle changes and medication aren’t enough, surgery may be necessary to open vessels. Surgery options include:

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Using a balloon catheter, a small, hollow tube, to open vessels.

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Bypassing the blocked vessel using a graft.

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Directly injecting a clot-dissolving drug into the artery.

In some cases, a mesh tube called a

stent is inserted to keep the vessel open. To fi nd out more about PAD, talk to your doctor or call 888-888-1872 to fi nd a physician near you.

more likely to have coronary artery disease, heart attack, stroke or mini-stroke. In the advanced stages of PAD, blood ﬂ ow to a leg or foot can be se-verely blocked, causing tissue death that may result in amputation.

Risk factors for developing the condition include:

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Age.

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Being African American.

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Smoking.

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Having diabetes.

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Being overweight.

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Having elevated blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Pinpointing PAD

Early diagnosis and treatment of PAD is important to not only protect your health, but also to decrease your risk of heart attack or stroke.

One of the fi rst signs of PAD can be painful cramping or fatigue in the legs and buttocks that occurs during activity but stops during rest. However, approxi-mately half of people with the disease have mild or no symptoms.

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[wound care center]

the Wound Care Center of atlanta Medical Center offers skilled physi-cians who use the latest treatments and technology to treat wounds. Our specialized wound care may be covered by most insurance plans and Medicare. Come out of hiding and come here for help. talk to your doctor or call us today.

to fi nd out more, call

404-265-Heal (404-265-4325).

William T. Moore | Chief Executive Ofﬁ cer Jeff Freygang | Chief Development Ofﬁ cer Kendra Gerlach | Public Relations/Marketing Director

LIVING WELL is published as a community service for the friends and patrons of ATLANTA MEDICAL CENTER, 303 Parkway Drive N.E., Atlanta, GA 30312, 404-265-4000, www.atlantamedcenter.com.

Information in LIVING WELL comes from a wide range of medical experts. If you have any concerns or questions about speciﬁ c content that may affect your health, please contact your health care provider. Models may be used in photos and illustrations.

ATLANTA MEDICAL CENTER 303 Parkway Drive N.E. Atlanta, GA 30312