PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release

April 20, 2007
Contact: Kristin Reinhardt
Phone: (619) 686-3787
Email: reinhardt.kristin@scrippshealth.org

Back to Press Overview

Weight Loss Patients Often Battle Addiction

SAN DIEGO – Food addictions often fuel rapid weight gain. Many individuals find great comfort in food and the social aspects of eating. But for some, this addiction proves too powerful, and their health begins to suffer the results of extreme obesity.

For individuals who are morbidly obese, gastric bypass surgery is a proven, long-term solution to help in losing extra pounds that might endanger an individual’s health. However, it cannot be stressed enough that gastric bypass surgery is not a quick fix; rather it is a single tool in the quest to improve a person’s health and quality of life. Lifestyle modification is an essential component to safe, healthy and long-lasting weight loss.

At Pacific Bariatric Surgical Medical Group, we require that before surgery each patient make a commitment to improving and maintaining his or her health by fully participating in our aftercare programs. We consider strict adherence to a gastric bypass diet and a tailored exercise plan absolutely essential to the overall success of the procedure.

For many patients, our support network is one of the most valuable aspects of our program. In addition to monthly group meetings, members support each other informally by phone, and we provide a newsletter that includes recipes, news, success stories and other general information.

Surgeons at Pacific Bariatric have performed almost 10,000 procedures on adult and adolescent patients at Scripps Mercy Hospital. As a result of outstanding aftercare programs and support groups, patients at Pacific Bariatric see a success rate of slightly higher than the national average.

Pacific Bariatric Surgical Medical Group, Inc. and Scripps Mercy Hospital are nationally designated by the American Society for Bariatric Surgery as a Center of Excellence for Bariatric Surgery. Pacific Bariatric Surgical Medical Group, also known as Hillcrest Surgical Medical Group, Inc., has an 80-year tradition of surgical excellence and leadership in San Diego County. For more information, visit www.pacificbariatric.com.

Established in 1890 by the Sisters of Mercy, Scripps Mercy Hospital serves the San Diego and Chula Vista communities. With 700 licensed beds, more than 3,000 employees and 1,300 physicians, Scripps Mercy Hospital is San Diego’s longest established and only Catholic hospital. With two campuses, Scripps Mercy Hospital is the largest hospital in San Diego County and one of the 10 largest in California. For more information, visit www.scripps.org.

Back to Press Overview