Published: September 06, 2006 11:33 pm         

Doctor to present session about bariatric surgery

Uretz J. Oliphant, M.D. of Carle Foundation Hospital will present a community education program on bariatric surgery Sept. 20 at 7 p.m. in the Visiting Specialists Clinic (former Family Medical Center) at Paris Community Hospital/Family Medical Center.

Dr. Oliphant, who notes that bariatric surgery is now an accepted medical procedure for controlling morbid obesity, will explain the different surgical options available. In American society, 55 percent of adults are obese with 5 percent of those classified as morbidly obese. Also, 25 percent of children are overweight. Anyone with a body mass index (BMI) over 30 is a likely candidate for bariatric surgery.

According to Dr. Oliphant, many health factors result from obesity, and some of them are life-threatening. The good news is that obesity can be controlled, thereby reducing the number of deaths and other health problems.

Dr. Oliphant is expected to discuss the three forms of bariatric surgery, the positive outcomes, and the risks of the procedures. He also will address conditions, including weight and attitude, that make a person a likely candidate for one of the procedures.

A graduate of the Medical School of the University of Minnesota, Dr. Oliphant is board certified in General Surgery and is currently an attending surgeon in the Carle Foundation Hospital Department of Surgery, head of the hospital’s Division of Trauma, and Medical Director of the Bariatric Program.

In addition, he serves as head of the Department of Surgery at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Urbana/Champaign.

Dr. Oliphant recently presented a program on bariatric surgery for the Paris Community Hospital/Family Medical Center staff. According to Debbie Griffin, R.N., B.S.N., manager of Community Health and Disease Management, “Dr. Oliphant is an excellent speaker. Although he provides a significant amount of medical information, he does so in a way that the average person can understand. Attendees will leave the program understanding bariatric surgery options and what they involve. All people with interest in medical procedures designed to reduce obesity — either for themselves or for friends or family members — are encouraged to come to this program.”

Those attending the program are asked to park in the east lot, which is by the hospital emergency entrance.