April, 2008 - St. Petersburg, Florida

Palms of Pasadena Hospital in St. Petersburg, FL is the first program on the West Coast of Florida to perform bariatric surgery utilizing the Realize™ Adjustable Gastric Band, a device that is surgically implanted around the stomach to help people with morbid obesity lose weight and improve or resolve obesity-related health conditions including type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea and high cholesterol.


April, 2008 - St. Petersburg, Florida

Palms of Pasadena Hospital in St. Petersburg, FL is the first program on the West Coast of Florida to perform bariatric surgery utilizing the Realize™ Adjustable Gastric Band, a device that is surgically implanted around the stomach to help people with morbid obesity lose weight and improve or resolve obesity-related health conditions including type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea and high cholesterol.

Unique to the Realize™ band, an interactive tool provides support to help patients successfully achieve long-term weight loss. Through the REALIZE mySUCCESS™ program, patients and physicians at Palms of Pasadena Hospital can set goals and continuously watch the patient's progress together, especially for the first three years, as the patient adjusts to his/her new lifestyle so healthcare providers can step in precisely when needed to keep patients on track.

In the clinical trial that led to its FDA approval, REALIZE Band patients lost an average of 50 pounds or 40 percent of their excess body weight within the first year of surgery and maintained that weight loss over three years. More than one-third of patients lost 50 percent or more and about 10 percent lost 75 percent or more of their excess weight.

"Gastric band patients are able to lose a significant amount of weight and improve their overall health status in a relatively short period of time, considering many have been morbidly obese for years prior to surgery," said Dr. Ernest Rehnke, Medical Director of Palms of Pasadena Hospital's Bariatric Program, selected as a Center of Excellence by the American Society for Bariatric Surgery. "And while the surgery is among the most effective treatments for morbid obesity, it is just one stop along the patient's journey. Patients must make changes to their diet and lifestyle after surgery to help achieve long-term success."

With the REALIZE mySUCCESS™ program patients establish a tailored progress plan, to develop new health habits in the areas of physical activity, nutrition, and emotional well- being.

"REALIZE mySUCCESS works closely with our bariatric team," said Susan Kay R.N., program coordinator and bariatric patient. "The information provided is comprehensive specific to the needs of a gastric band patient. Our patients are really benefiting from having this added support that is available online day and night."

About the Realize™ Band

The REALIZE Adjustable Gastric Band is a device intended for use in weight reduction for patients with morbid obesity and is indicated for individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of at least 40 kg/m2, or a BMI of at least 35 kg/m2 with one or more co-morbid conditions. It is for use in morbidly obese adult patients who have failed more conservative weight-reduction alternatives, such as supervised diet, exercise and behavior modification programs.

Realize™ Band patients in the U.S. clinical study experienced a 22% increase in good cholesterol (HDL) and a decrease in bad cholesterol (LDL), total cholesterol and triglycerides 36 months after surgery. In addition, patients experienced a statistically significant reduction in the key indicator for type 2 diabetes (HbA1c).

The REALIZE Band, which is marketed under the name Swedish Adjustable Gastric Band (SAGB) outside the U.S., has been commercially available outside the U.S. since 1996 and has been used by more than 100,000 patients worldwide to help manage their weight.

Palms of Pasadena Hospital was founded in 1963 and over the years has expanded services and facilities to meet the healthcare needs of St. Petersburg and surrounding areas. Our mission is to provide quality healthcare by a team committed to value and continuous improvement. As a 307-bed acute care hospital, Palms of Pasadena offers a full range of medical/surgical and specialty services, with full accreditation by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Heath Care Organizations. Over 350 physicians, 700 employees and 200 volunteers share in the hospital's dedication to advanced care, improved technologies and leading edge physician expertise.

To read more about the Program at Palms of Pasadena Hospital, visit www.ObesityNoMoreFL.com or call 1-866-931-THIN.

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Designated with a National Award for Bariatric Surgery

January, 2006 -St. Petersburg, Florida -


Palms of Pasadena Hospital (POPH) has been named an American Society for Bariatric Surgery (ASBS) Center of Excellence by the Surgical Review Corporation (SRC), an organization dedicated to pursuing surgical excellence in the delivery of bariatric surgical care.


Designated with a National Award for Bariatric Surgery

January, 2006 -St. Petersburg, Florida -


Palms of Pasadena Hospital (POPH) has been named an American Society for Bariatric Surgery (ASBS) Center of Excellence by the Surgical Review Corporation (SRC), an organization dedicated to pursuing surgical excellence in the delivery of bariatric surgical care.

The award is peer reviewed by the most competent doctors in the industry and the hospital receives the designation in collaboration with bariatric surgeon, Ernest Rehnke, M.D.

“We are extremely proud of this designation,” said Kelly Adams, chief executive officer of Palms of Pasadena Hospital. “It is important because it allows patients to know that we have a program with a demonstrated track record of excellence. We are honored to work with Dr. Rehnke.”

Becoming a Designee
To earn a Center of Excellence designation, the Bariatric Program at Palms of Pasadena Hospital underwent a site inspection from the SRC during which all aspects of the program’s surgical processes were closely examined and data on health outcomes was collected. Palms of Pasadena Hospital and other centers receiving the Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence designation agree to continue to share information on clinical pathways, protocols and outcomes. To be eligible for ASBS designation, hospitals must perform at least 125 bariatric surgeries annually, and individual surgeons must do at least 50 surgeries a year.

Why the Designation Was Created
Bariatric surgery is a complex and challenging undertaking. Many of the patients, who are typically afflicted with serious co-morbidities in addition to the burdens of excessive weight, present sharply increased surgical risks. Psychosocial challenges and the uncontrolled complications of morbid obesity require highly competent and compassionate support. Furniture, hospital equipment, instruments and imaging resources must be suitable for massive patients who often exceed their ideal body weight by 100 pounds or more.
Especially important is a well-trained staff, capable of dealing with the physical and emotional demands of the morbidly obese.

Faced with these issues, the ASBS identified the need to recognize the centers that perform well and to help surgeons and hospitals reach optimal levels of performance. The program was created to recognize bariatric surgery centers, while helping hospitals and surgeons continue to improve the quality and safety of care provided.

“We are pleased that the medical community is recognizing hospitals that excel in surgical weight loss,” said Adams. “The number of weight loss surgeries increases each year, and we believe individuals choosing weight loss surgery should have information about the programs they are considering as well as affordable access to these procedures. Our designation reaffirms our commitment to providing quality care and services to our patients.”

Obesity in America
According to the SRC, obesity is America’s most serious health epidemic. Over two thirds of US citizens are overweight; a frightening statistic that continues to increase each year. Of even greater concern, over 23 million Americans are morbidly obese, which means that they have a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 35, exceeding their ideal body weight by at least 100 pounds. One third of these, a population equal to that of North Carolina, attain BMI’s greater than 40.

Those afflicted by these severe forms of obesity are not only burdened by their bulk, that are also confronted with life-threatening diseases that may include diabetes, hypertension and severe pulmonary compromise. Morbid obesity is closely correlated with a number of serious conditions that severely undermine the health of overweight patients, including heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes.

According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the number of US bariatric surgeries more than quadrupled between 1998 and 2002 – from 13,386 to 71,733. Bariatric surgery helps many people who are morbidly obese lose weight when all other methods have failed.

About Our Program
The Bariatric Program at Palms of Pasadena Hospital performs approximately 200 surgeries annually. Its program is designed to help patients lose weight and keep it off. The program’s goal is to go beyond surgery by providing a life-changing program that includes nutritional guidance, support groups and coordination of counseling services.

The program is affiliated with experienced, board-certified surgeons who specialize in the surgical treatment of morbidly obese patients. We offer the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass both open and laparoscopic as well as the less invasive adjustable Lap Band. For more information visit www.ObesityNoMoreFL.com.

About Our Hospital
Palms of Pasadena Hospital, fully accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, was founded during 1963 and, over the years, has gradually expanded services to meet the needs of our community. Currently, Palms of Pasadena Hospital provides a broad array of inpatient and outpatient services along with specialty programs such as the Continent Ostomy Program, Baraitric Care, Radiation Oncology, Sleep Disorder Program, Wound Health and Home Health care. Its mission is to provide quality healthcare by a team committed to value and continuous improvement. Dedicated to this mission are over 300 physicians, 900 full and part-time healthcare professionals and over 175 volunteers. For more information, visit the hospital’s website at www.palmspasadena.com or call 727.341.7706.

Contact:
Susan Kay R.N., Dir. Specialty Surgical Services
Phone: 727.341.7706

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Keith always has been proud of his reputation as one of football's biggest fans, but he wasn't proud of how big his body had grown. "Lap band surgery was the best investment I made for myself."

See Keith's interview on Fox13 News