Find a Stomach Bypass Surgeon
Greeley, Colorado
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Location and Contact Details
Banner Health Bariatric Surgery
1800 15 th Street
Suite 200
Greeley, Colorado 80631
Phone: (970) 378-4433
Fax: (970) 378-4400
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Weight Loss Surgeons
Dr. Johnell is an advanced laparoscopic bariatric surgeon, specializing
in the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (15 cc micro-pouch), and the Adjustable
Lap-Band® procedure. Bariatric surgery constitutes 98% of his practice.
He has 21 years of general surgery experience, 15 years of advanced laparoscopic
surgery experience, and 4 years of laparoscopic bariatric surgery experience.
Types of Bariatric Surgery Performed
1. Gastric Bypass Roux-en-Y
2. Lap-Band® Adjustable Gastric Banding Procedure
3. Laparoscopic or Minimally Invasive Surgery
Gastric Bypass Roux-en-Y
In recent years, better clinical understanding of procedures combining
restrictive and malabsorptive approaches has increased the choices of
effective weight loss surgery for thousands of patients. By adding malabsorption,
food is delayed in mixing with bile and pancreatic juices that aid in
the absorption of nutrients. The result is an early sense of fullness,
combined with a sense of satisfaction that reduces the desire to eat.
According to the American Society for Bariatric Surgery and the National
Institutes of Health, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is the current gold standard
procedure for weight loss surgery. It is the most frequently performed
weight loss procedures in the United States. In this procedure, stapling
creates a small (15 to 20cc) stomach pouch. The remainder of the stomach
is not removed, but is completely stapled shut and divided from the stomach
pouch. The outlet from this newly formed pouch empties directly into the
lower portion of the jejunum, thus bypassing calorie absorption. This
is done by dividing the small intestine just beyond the duodenum for the
purpose of bringing it up and constructing a connection with the newly
formed stomach pouch. The other end is connected into the side of the
Roux limb of the intestine creating the "Y" shape that gives
the technique its name. The length of either segment of the intestine
can be increased to produce lower or higher levels of malabsorption.
Lap-Band® Adjustable Gastric Banding Procedure
A Gastric Band procedure is a purely restrictive surgical procedure in
which a band is placed around the upper most part of the stomach. This
band divides the stomach into two portions, one small and one larger portion.
Because food is regulated, most patients feel full faster. Food digestion
occurs through the normal digestive process.
Laparoscopic or Minimally Invasive Surgery
For the last decade, laparoscopic procedures have been used in a variety
of general surgeries. Many people mistakenly believe that these techniques
are still "experimental." In fact, laparoscopy has become the
predominant technique in some areas of surgery and has been used for weight
loss surgery for several years. Although few bariatric surgeons perform
laparoscopic weight loss surgeries, more are offering patients this less
invasive surgical option whenever possible.
When a laparoscopic operation is performed, a small video camera is inserted
into the abdomen. The surgeon views the procedure on a separate video
monitor. Most laparoscopic surgeons believe this gives them better visualization
and access to key anatomical structures.
The camera and surgical instruments are inserted through small incisions
made in the abdominal wall. This approach is considered less invasive
because it replaces the need for one long incision to open the abdomen.
A recent study shows that patients having had laparoscopic weight loss
surgery experience less pain after surgery resulting in easier breathing
and lung function and higher overall oxygen levels. Other realized benefits
with laparoscopy have been fewer wound complications such as infection
or hernia, and patients returning more quickly to pre-surgical levels
of activity. Laparoscopic procedures for weight loss surgery employ the
same principles as their "open" counterparts and produce similar
excess weight loss. Not all patients are candidates for this approach,
just as all bariatric surgeons are not trained in the advanced techniques
required to perform this less invasive method.
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