Dorothy DeNoto now works as a Level 2 Personal Trainer after Lap-Band surgery

At a news conference today where Syosset Hospital celebrated its designation as a Bariatric Center of Excellence, a Suffolk County woman thanked her doctors—and her mother—for providing the inspiration that allowed her to shed more than 250 pounds after a laparoscopic weight loss surgery that she says saved her life.

At her heaviest, Dorothy DeNoto, a mother of two from Huntington Station, NY, weighed nearly 400 pounds. After a divorce that left her feeling lonely and afraid (she had custody of her two sons), she was sick, tired and unable to walk any measurable distance. “I felt awful,” said Ms. DeNoto, who had always struggled with her weight. “I thought I was going to die.”

With her mother Carol DeNoto by her side, Dorothy DeNoto, second from right, of Huntington Station, displays the size 36W dress she used to wear before losing 250 pounds, thanks to Lap-Band surgery performed by Alan Geiss, MD, left, of Syosset Hospital, which was recently designated as a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence.

In 2006, Ms. DeNoto’s mother, Carol DeNoto, nearly died from a heart attack. Her brother, who was also morbidly obese, suffered a heart attack at about the same time. Those two events changed Ms. DeNoto’s life. “I have two sons, and I don’t want them to go through the pain of almost losing their mother. It was time to make a change,” she said.

At the suggestion of another brother, George DeNoto, MD, a surgeon at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, NY, Ms. DeNoto sought help from Alan Geiss, MD, director of the Laparoscopic and Bariatric Center at Syosset Hospital, which was recently designated as a Bariatric Center of Excellence by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS), placing it among the best hospitals nationally for the treatment of morbidly obese patients.

Dr. Geiss performed the laparoscopic adjustable gastric band (Lap-Band®) procedure on Ms. DeNoto in 2006. Afterwards, Ms. DeNoto went back to school and received two certifications in fitness training, one in basic fitness and the other in working with people with health issues. She is now a very successful personal trainer/fitness instructor, who also does house calls for morbidly obese individuals who can’t get to the gym.

The Lap-Band® is an adjustable silicone band that is surgically placed around the stomach, which limits food intake. “After the band is installed, doctors make periodic adjustments depending on the patient’s weight loss, food cravings and physical reactions to the band,” said Dr. Geiss, who recently performed his 2,000th Lap-Band ® procedure, the highest volume of any surgeon in the country.

“Morbid obesity is associated with many health problems and is a risk factor that can see remarkable improvements through weight loss,” Dr. Geiss said. “Bariatric surgery has proven to be a successful long-term treatment where other short-term means, such as dieting and exercise, have failed.” In addition to his record number of procedures, Dr. Geiss is one of only 20 physicians in the country certified to use the new Johnson & Johnson Realize™ Personalized Banding Solution. The Realize™ band was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in November of 2007 and boasts maximum comfort, adjustability and safety.

To receive its “center of excellence” designation, Syosset Hospital had to go through a stringent review process that examines the short- and long-term results experienced by bariatric patients, the training of surgeons and staff, the availability and quality of equipment, and clinical and support services, among other factors. With the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery’s certification, Syosset Hospital now ranks among a select group of approximately 300 hospitals nationwide that are recognized as Bariatric Surgery Centers of Excellence. The center of excellence designation also allows the hospital and its certified surgeons to receive Medicare reimbursement for bariatric surgeries.

“This center of excellence designation signifies an extraordinary achievement of quality outcomes in gastrointestinal surgery,” said Deborah Tascone, RN, MS, regional executive director for Syosset Hospital, part of the North Shore-LIJ Health System. “Our surgeons and clinical staff, led by Dr. Geiss, continue to raise the bar for bariatric care by employing new technologies and treatments that achieve superior outcomes for our patients.”

Another factor contributing to the success of Syosset’s bariatric patients is the counseling and support they receive before and after surgery. “There is so much more to lap banding than the physical aspect of the procedure,” said Willo Wisotsky, PhD, a psychologist who specializes in treating patients living with weight issues. “We want to make sure that all our patients receive the guidance and support they need to make the decision to undergo surgery. We know that post-surgery, a significant weight loss will affect the way patients view themselves, and how significant others see them---relatives, friends, co-workers. We work very closely with our patients to help guide them through these changes.”

Ms. DeNoto credits Dr. Geiss, Dr. Wisotsky – and her mother – with saving her life. In addition to her weight loss, she has inspired members of her family to trim their waistlines as well. Her advice to people who are currently on the face about the lap band procedure: “Go for it! You have nothing to lose—except all that unhealthy weight.”

To make an appointment or learn more about the physicians and procedures at Syosset Hospital’s Laparoscopic and Bariatric Center, call 516-496-2752.

Media Contact: Michelle Pinto/Terry Lynam
516-465-2649/2600
(Cell) 917-327-3898