Surgical Weight Management | Print |

Overview

Catawba Valley Medical Center's Surgical Weight Management Program offers medical assistance, including bariatric surgery and support, to provide treatment options aimed at improving health and prolonging life.

Bariatric surgery can be an option for those individuals who are over 18, weigh more than 100 pounds over recommended weight, have a documented Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or greater, and have exhausted all efforts to lose weight through diet and exercise.

Program Acceptance

Weight loss surgery is major surgery and is viewed first and foremost as a method for alleviating debilitating, chronic disease. Because of this, candidates for surgical weight management are required to complete a series of protocols for acceptance into the program, including the following:

  • Completion of a detailed questionnaire about weight issues and medical history
  • Mandatory participation in an educational seminar about the program and its surgical options
  • Referral letter from your primary care physician
  • A comprehensive physical exam from your primary care physician, which includes thyroid panel testing
  • A psychological evaluation from a board certified psychiatrist or psychologist
  • Compilation of  medical history from the past five years, including weight documentation

Medical Team

Our Surgical Weight Management team consists of three board-certified surgeons from the Hickory Surgical Clinic, including the clinic’s director, Dr. Monty Cox.  He is joined by L. James Cook, MD, Jonathan Hata, MD, and Libby Shaver, RN, a certified Bariatric nurse and Catawba Valley Medical Center’s Surgical Weight Management Coordinator.

Services

Our program features the following elements:

  • Comprehensive care coordination by an RN both before and after surgery
  • Operative education, support and follow-up for the patients and family
  • Nutrition counseling and education by a clinical dietitian prior to and after surgery
  • Monthly support group meetings
  • Lifetime follow-up care
  • Commitment to the long-term management, support and care of our patients