LOSE WEIGHT, GAIN HEALTH

Contrary to popular belief, bariatric surgery isn’t performed strictly for cosmetic reasons. Sure, losing weight and looking thinner is one of the wonderful byproducts, but the surgery also helps patients achieve superior health.

“I’ve performed bariatric surgery on patients, and afterwards they’ve been able to get off their medications for diabetes and blood pressure,” said Dr. Reginald Griffin, who opened Concierge Bariatrics in Ocala two years ago. “Their quality of life is greatly improved, and the risk for stroke, heart attack, and kidney disease is greatly reduced.”

A lifelong Ocala resident, Dr. Griffin is fellowship-trained in bariatric and metabolic surgery and board-certified in general surgery. He performs two types of weight-loss surgeries: gastric sleeve surgery, which involves removing 85 percent of the stomach, and gastric bypass surgery, where food no longer enters the majority of the stomach.

While the procedures are different, both produce an important change in a patient’s body. That change is a significant reduction in the levels of a hormone known as ghrelin, which stimulates appetite.

“Ghrelin is at its highest levels in morbidly obese people,” said Dr. Griffin, who completed his surgical residency at the University of Florida. “But after gastric bypass surgery and gastric sleeve surgery, ghrelin levels decrease dramatically and as a result people are not as hungry anymore.”

Bariatric surgery has provided other health benefits, as well. For instance, many of Dr. Griffin’s patients undergoing gastric bypass surgery have been cured of Type 2 diabetes and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

“It’s so satisfying for me to see patients come back and no longer are on medications or suffer from diabetes,” he said. “Surgery can fix medical problems that medication cannot fix.”

In addition to bariatric surgery, Dr. Griffin also performs minimally invasive robotic surgery for gallbladder removal, hernia repair, and colon surgery. The robotic system features high-definition, 3D visualization, providing him with accurate visualization within the body cavity and improving both quality of the operation and patient safety. Patients benefit from smaller incisions, less blood loss, and less post-operative discomfort.

“Thanks to robotic surgery, patients can undergo a complex hernia repair and go home on the same day,” he said. “Patients who have robotic surgery are pleasantly surprised by the lack of pain they have post-operatively.”

Dr. Griffin also prides himself on operating a practice that provides highly responsive, personalized care.

“I can attend to all surgical needs of a patient and tailor a plan from one patient to the next. Therefore, my practice is a one-stop shop. Patients also have direct access to me, and that is very important for patients to be able to contact their surgeon. Every time they visit the office they’re going to see me directly.”

CONCIERGE BARIATRICS

1630 SE 18th St. Suite #103, Ocala FL 34471 352.236.5809

ConciergeBariatrics.com