Area’s First Robotic Bariatric Surgery Completed at Lutheran Downtown Hospital
3/7/2023
The area’s first robotic-assisted bariatric procedure was recently completed by the surgical team at Lutheran Downtown Hospital.
Emanuel Nearing II, M.D., a board-certified surgeon specializing in weight loss surgery and trained in minimally invasive and robotic-assisted surgical techniques, completed the first robotic sleeve gastrectomy procedure on a patient alongside the surgical team at the downtown Fort Wayne hospital.
“Our team is excited to bring minimally invasive robotic-assisted surgery options to bariatric patients in our area, ” said Dr. Nearing. “This option can mean less pain and scarring and a quicker recovery for patients.”
A sleeve gastrectomy procedure involves removing a portion of the stomach, leaving a slender stomach “sleeve.” The new stomach is about one-third of its original size, helping patients feel full or satisfied after eating smaller amounts of food. This surgery also causes changes in hormones that work to promote a feeling of fullness.
Robotic-assisted surgery is a minimally invasive approach that can be the most-effective, least-invasive option for certain procedures. Surgery requires a few small incisions, rather than one larger one, and surgeons use special instruments that bend and rotate, a tiny camera and a 3D high-definition vision system to help guide and provide a magnified view resulting in enhanced vision, precision and control.
“The majority of patients who have bariatric surgery permanently lose more than half of their excess weight while also eliminating or reducing the risk of other chronic conditions,” said Dr. Nearing. “This is not a shortcut to weight loss but a lifesaving surgery that improves a patient's quality of life.”
Lutheran Downtown Hospital holds monthly free in-person weight loss seminars for people interested in finding out more about surgical options available where Dr. Nearing outlines next steps for those considering surgery and answers questions they may have.
To learn more about Lutheran Downtown Hospital’s robotic bariatric surgery program and upcoming seminars, visit lutherandowntownhospital.com/bariatric-weight-loss or call (260) 458-3410.
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