OKC Named Unhealthiest Major City in the US

June 10, 2011

Unfortunately, Oklahoma City has been named the least healthy city in a survey of the 50 largest United States metropolitan areas according to a USA Today article: http://yourlife.usatoday.com/fitness-food/story/2011/05/Twin-Cities-deemed-healthiest-in-USA/47469970/1. The statistics were gathered for the American Fitness Index compiled annually by the American College of Sports Medicine. The rankings are based on various factors including obesity rates, percentage of smokers and the percentage of city residents that exercise. These findings highlight the obesity and overweight epidemic that Oklahoma City faces despite efforts by local healthcare programs and a strong push by the mayor’s office to curb obesity. To fight this ever present problem, diet and exercise is always the first and best option to lose weight. Sometimes it’s hard for a person to do this on their own. For that reason, the Weight Loss Center of Oklahoma offers physician supervised medical weight loss programs that can help residents in Oklahoma City improve their health through improved diet and by developing a good exercise plan.

Weight loss surgery is also a possibility for those suffering from obesity, but should only be considered when all other potential weight loss options have been exhausted. To measure obesity and to see if they may qualify for weight loss surgery, prospective patients can use a Body Mass Index calculator at our website: www.weightlosscenterok.com.

To learn more about our medical weight-loss program please contact Siggi Ming at our office. For more information on the bariatric program, prospective patients can attend one of our free monthly bariatric seminars held at Integris Baptist Medical Center or Deaconess Hospital in OKC.

Leave a Comment » | About Us, Bariatric Surgery | Permalink
Posted by weightlossok

You May Not Have Known

March 4, 2011

You may not have known how Dr. Gornichec got to where he is, performing weight loss surgery in Oklahoma City. Back in college, Dr. Gornichec wanted to become a professional football player before a knee injury sidelined his collegiate career. He dropped out of college after two years and became a firefighter/paramedic in Dallas, Texas. Trained in swift water rescue and hazardous material management, Dr. Gornichec also completed an Associates Degree in Fire Protection technology.

During this time, Dr. Gornichec met two trauma surgeons, Drs. Purdue and Thal who suggested that he go to medical school, great advice that Dr. G took. After completing his undergraduate degree, he attended UT Southwestern Medical School and completed surgical training at Baylor University Medical Center.

Dr. Gornichec moved to Oklahoma and became a general surgeon, on active duty for the Air Force until 2003 when he separated from the armed forces. At that point a local physician asked him to help start a laparoscopic weight loss practice where, in 2003, he performed the first laparoscopic gastric bypass in Edmond.

Dr. Gornichec’s desire to recreate a hospital based weight loss surgery program like the one at Baylor led him to join forces with Integris Baptist Medical Center in 2006. Now the medical director of the program, the weight loss center has improved every year, most recently receiving an American College of Surgeons Center of Excellence designation.

1 Comment | About Us | Permalink
Posted by weightlossok

Medical Weight Loss

February 23, 2011

I am frequently asked if medical weight loss is an option for surgical weight loss patients. The short answer is yes, absolutely. Surgical weight loss is a great tool to help someone lose weight and keep it off. Anyone who has had a surgical weight loss procedure understands better than anyone that it is only a tool and does not guarantee a person to reach “normal” body weight. Each procedure is unique and offers variable “success” rates from 30-80% excess body weight loss.

So what if you had a procedure but have not reached your personal goal weight? Many patients will attempt to use pre-procedural weight loss tricks and programs that may not be suited for their current anatomy. Some patients from other programs have informed me that their surgeon’s clinic does not offer any additional weight loss support beyond surgery and so they go to weight loss centers that are unfamiliar with their altered anatomy. I decide 2 years ago to offer both surgical and medical weight loss options to everyone. I realize there is a need to assist both surgical and non-surgical patients to achieve reasonable weight loss goals.

When a patient has undergone a surgical procedure and desires additional reasonable weight loss but has been having difficulty in success there can be various reasons that need to be identified.

First the procedure needs to be identified and the anatomy confirmed. This means researching records on what procedure was done and when and defining if that procedure is intact (radiographic or endoscopic analysis). Each procedure has its strengths and weaknesses so the patient is reminded of these and a food journal is helpful is deciding if eating behavior is appropriate for the anatomy (food journals are tedious and compliance is a big issue. Smart phone applications like “lose it!” can be very helpful and it’s free). A visit with one of the providers or our dietician can be beneficial in reinforcing good eating behavior and identifying behavior that is counter-productive.

Appetite control with each procedure is also variable and many patients complain that hunger issues are the main reason for their inability to maintain a recommended eating behavior pattern. Appetite suppressants are safe after surgical weight loss but may not be as effective as they were before surgery. Some suppressants are contraindicated after certain types of procedures as well. Prescription and non-prescription formulas are available after proper consultation but be ready to change to another formula if the first regime is ineffective (follow up is important).

Most restrictive procedures do not provide for maintaining adequate basal metabolic rates (BMR) when decreased caloric consumption is better tolerated after the procedure. This can result in weight loss plateaus and severe frustration. Realize that BMR can be measured and in my experience a BMR below 1700 Kcal/day will make it extremely hard for that patient to lose any further fat storage. If a patient has a low BMR than a program designed to raise metabolism is going to be more effective than continuing to decrease caloric intake. Please ask for and review the “Metabolic Story”, an article I wrote for a national journal that I reproduced on my website and have copies for distribution at my office.

Understand that whether you had surgery or not various factors are in play to prevent your body from “burning” your adipose tissue stores (fat cells). Each individual will have unique barriers to reducing this tissue and one program is not going to work for everyone. Don’t spend a lot of money on fad diets and products that have little to no research evidence (HCG diets) for success. These very low calorie diets are another type of starvation and result in muscle wasting rather that fat burning and that kind of weight loss is not sustainable over the long term. For more information contact our office at 405-713-4450.

Leave a Comment » | About Us, News, Nutrition, Procedures, Weight Loss, Weight Loss Tools | Permalink
Posted by weightlossok

Updating the Website

February 23, 2011

Each year I like to update the look and feel of the www.WeightLossCenterOK.com website. The site received a fresh new look last year and a new address. Many patients have commented on their desire to be featured on the testimonial page. With the New Year I have again provided access to this process. Any interested patient can go to Picture People at Penn Square Mall in Oklahoma City and receive a prepaid photo shoot (similar to a glamour shoot) provided by my clinic. A free 8X10 selection will be provided from the shoot. An additional discounts have been provided if a patient desires to have other family members involved or desires to acquire additional photos packages. I will contact patients that participate to get consent and a few statements that will be attached to their “before and after” photos before placing them on the website. Contact Kim at 713-4450 if you have any questions or problems with the process. We usually use the clinic “before” photos but can accept other “before” pictures that are provided if a patient desires. I will also be contacting the Integris Weight Loss site to inquire if they would also like to add this feature to their site.

Leave a Comment » | About Us, News | Permalink
Posted by weightlossok

Medical Weight Loss Staff – Siggi Ming

July 27, 2010

Our Weight to Go medical weight loss program was created in 2009 and has become a very successful program for those needing to lose significant weight but who do not qualify for bariatric surgery.

Siggi Ming is the leading provider of our Weight to Go program. Siggi is an Adult Nurse Practitioner (ANP) and boasts a Master of Science degree from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. Siggi obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from the University of Siegen, Germany and she is certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. Prior to becoming a Nurse Practitioner, she was a First Assistant in an OR.

Through the use of dietary management, eating behavior modifications, appetite suppressants, and supervision, she is able to provide a good chance at long term success with a non-surgical weight loss program. Siggi also works with patients who have had previous surgical intervention who are having difficulty with weight regain after successful weight loss.

Siggi derives a sense of enjoyment from bariatrics as it is a very tangible way to make an impact on patients’ lives. By helping bariatric patients lose weight safely and maintain the weight loss over a long period of time, her efforts are validated every day.

—

Related Post: Weight Loss Surgeon

Leave a Comment » | About Us, Nutrition, Weight Loss | Tagged: , , | Permalink
Posted by weightlossok

Our Weight Loss Facilities

July 23, 2010

Integris Baptist Medical Center: 3300 Northwest Expressway, Oklahoma City, OK 73112

With Dr. Gornichec as the new medical director The Integris Surgical Weight Loss Program was re-established in 2006 to great success. Baptist Hospital and Dr. Gornichec teamed up to offer gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy and gastric banding – including Lap-Band and Realize Band procedures for residents across Oklahoma. The facility is located on Northwest Expressway at the Hefner Parkway intersection. Integris Baptist Medical Center is a proud ACS Bariatric Center of Excellence facility which is one of the most rigorous certification programs in the medical industry. In order to achieve this designation, our facility had to undergo a rigorous peer tested examination of bariatric procedures to ensure the highest level of quality.

Deaconess Hospital: 5501 North Portland Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73112

The Surgical Weight Loss Program at deaconess hospital was formally launched in January of this year. Offering gastric bypass, gastric sleeve gastric banding procedures, Deaconess Hospital offers the lowest priced self –pay weight loss surgery procedures in the Oklahoma metroplex. The program is open to insured and self-pay patients.

Lakeside Women’s Hospital: 11200 N. Portland, Oklahoma City, OK 73120

Lakeside Women’s Hospital has been offering a medical weight loss program for over two years and has recently started the the surgical weight loss program. Initiated in 2010, the surgical weight loss program offers the gastric banding (Lap-Band) procedure to patients in the Oklahoma City area. the program is open to self-pay and insured patients.

Lakeside specializes in private, comfortable and luxuriously furnished accommodations.

Leave a Comment » | About Us, Bariatric Surgery, Weight Loss | Tagged: , , | Permalink
Posted by weightlossok

Weight Loss Surgeon

July 19, 2010

We’d like to introduce you to our weight loss surgeon, Dr. Russell Gornichec, the Director of Weight Loss Center of Oklahoma and  and Medical Director of Integris Surgical Weight Loss Center at Baptist Medical Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. We pride ourselves on providing not only the most up-to-date and effective procedures available but also on top notch patient care. Dr. Gornichec oversees our program to make sure that indeed this is the case.

Dr. Gornichec has become a leader in weight loss surgery and medical weight loss management since his graduation from University of Texas, Southwestern and his residency at Baylor University Medical Center, where he specialized in laparoscopic surgery and specifically bariatric surgery. Indeed, laparoscopic surgery requires special attention and training which is why Dr. Gornichec has completed several advanced training courses in bariatric and laparoscopic surgery.

Since his formal education, Dr. Gornichec has placed significant emphasis on continued training and has completed a Preceptorship with Ethicon Endoscopy Bariatric as well as an ASBS Advanced Bariatric Surgery Course. This advanced training and attention to safety and patient care has allowed our program to consistently deliver excellent results for our patients, year in and year out.

In order to learn more about our program and our staff, please attend a free bariatric seminar.

1 Comment | About Us, Bariatric Surgery, Weight Loss | Tagged: , , | Permalink
Posted by weightlossok

Medical Weight Loss

July 5, 2010

We’re very proud to introduce you to our “Weight To Go” medically supervised weight loss program. The Weight To Go program is designed for those individuals who may not qualify for bariatric surgery or do not wish to choose weight loss surgery to lose extra body weight. Our weight loss program includes the use of safe, effective medications if needed, as well as exercise counseling and nutritional guidance. Psychological support also plays a significant role in the weight loss program.

We believe that the National Institute of Health (NIH) guidelines are accurate and they have concluded that people should consult a medical professional if they:

  • are trying to lose more than 15-20 lbs
  • have other health problems
  • are taking any medications
  • plan to take medications to lose weight
We Offer Three Programs: 3, 6 and 12 month

We may ask  to perform basic blood and cardiac tests to ensure your suitability for the exercise program and before using appetite suppressants.

After your initial consultation, depending on the length of the program you choose, dietary and psychological counseling as well as exercise program development will be integral parts of your success in the program. We provide an onsite registered dietician and psychological evaluations to ensure you have all the tools for success. We are also affiliated with Pacer Fitness, Curves, and Jim Thorpe Rehabilitational services to assist with exercise program development which will benefit your well-being both short and long term.

For more information on our medical weight loss, please visit the following link: medical weight loss

Leave a Comment » | About Us | Tagged: , | Permalink
Posted by weightlossok

Visit our Social Media Pages

July 1, 2010

We’d like to introduce you to our brand new social media presence. One of the most important parts of weight loss surgery is information. Before surgery, information is critical in making the decision about whether surgery is right for you. Post-op the right information and communication with our office helps you stay on track and lose weight in a measured and healthy manner. We believe that our social media presence is just another way for you to stay in contact with us and in turn we can help  you both before and after surgery. Plus we love to share in your achievements and we’re always happy to hear how you’re doing.

You can visit us on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/weightlossok

You can also follow us on twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/weight_loss_ok

Finally our YouTube channel is coming soon at: http://www.youtube.com/user/weightlossok

We look forward to seeing you there. Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have and remember please do not post any private or confidential information to any public forum.

Leave a Comment » | About Us, News | Permalink
Posted by weightlossok

Welcome to Weight Loss Center of Oklahoma

June 14, 2010

Thank you for visiting the official blog of the Weight Loss Center of Oklahoma. Led by Dr. Russell Gornichec, our weight loss center offers bariatric surgery for those suffering from obesity related diseases and a medical weight loss program for those who do not qualify for surgery.

Obesity has become an epidemic in the United States and with estimates of up to two thirds of the population overweight and one third considered obese, the health ramifications of excess weight reach far and wide. Bariatric surgery is an effective alternative when diet and exercise simply haven’t worked. Indeed, bariatric surgery is the only successful long term weight loss solution available today. Bariatric surgery, however, is far more than weight loss. It is a vehicle to the improvement or resolution of various diseases that go hand in hand with weight gain.  Some of the co-morbidities that will be improved or resolved include: type-2 diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol and sleep apnea. It is these medical necessities that should drive a patient to consider bariatric surgery.

Our weight loss program offers three major surgical procedures: gastric banding, also known as Lap Band or Realize Band, gastric bypass and gastric sleeve. Each offers different risks and benefits and these can be evaluated on the bariatric procedures page of our website. Dr. Gornichec and his staff will help you decide which procedure is best for your particular situation.

Bariatric Surgery is not for everyone and  in some cases overweight and obese patients will not qualify for surgery. In these cases, we offer a medical weight loss program, also administered from our offices, that will guide you in your journey to weight loss. Siggi Ming, our Adult Nurse Practitioner on staff will guide you through the weight loss process by introducing healthier diets and changing bad habits to good.

Whatever course you eventually choose, we believe in personalized and compassionate care to address a need of the utmost urgency. For more information please visit our website at: http://www.weightlosscenterok.com

Leave a Comment » | About Us, Bariatric Surgery, News | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
Posted by weightlossok

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.