Posts Tagged ‘ Bariatric Surgery ’

Dr. Mark A. Fusco, of LifeShape Advanced Bariatric Center of Florida, First Surgeon in Florida to Use EndoFLIP® in Gastric Band Surgery

August 19, 2011
By Ashley

Announced: July 19, 2011
Melbourne, FL

Dr. Mark A. Fusco, founder of LifeShape Advanced Bariatric Center of Florida, is among the first surgeons in the United States to train to use the EndoFLIP® system, and is the first surgeon in Florida to purchase and use the innovative device for his patients.  The EndoFLIP® is used by Dr. Fusco both in the Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric band surgery, and in a new weight loss procedure known as gastric plication. Dr. Fusco is also among the first surgeons in Florida to have performed gastric plication.

“With the EndoFLIP® device we can accurately tighten the band at the time of the patients surgery potentially improving the patients early weight loss. I am very excited to use this device to assist my patients in maximizing the success of their weight loss surgery,” stated Dr. Fusco.

Dr. Fusco has performed over 800 gastric band surgeries and is considered a leader in the field of weight loss surgery. In adjustable gastric banding, a band is placed around the upper stomach, narrowing the passageway through which food passes and limiting the amount a person can consume. This band, which is adjustable, when tightened to the correct size, decreases hunger and allows patients to comfortably eat less. The process of adjusting the band, in the past, has been to slowly increase the tightness of the band over weeks. The gastric plication procedure involves folding the stomach in on itself creating a pleat in the stomach to decrease the size of the stomach thereby assisting in decreasing food volume. “The EndoFlip is critical in confirming that the internal diameter of the stomach is small enough for weight loss, yet not too small to allow for comfortable eating,” added Dr. Fusco.

The EndoFLIP® Device received FDA Approval for U.S. market release in 2010.

As Founder of LifeShape Advanced Bariatric Center of Florida located in Melbourne, Dr. Mark A. Fusco specializes in Laparoscopic Gastric Band surgery. LifeShape Advanced Bariatric Center of Florida is a full service multidisciplinary weight loss center offering physician supervised medical weight loss programs, personalized fitness training in private state-of-the-art gym, and surgical treatment. With a highly trained team of surgeons, internal medicine doctors, nurses, nutritionists, personal trainers, and psychologists, LifeShape is able to provide patients with a safe and effective weight-loss surgery, comprehensive pre- and post-operative education and ongoing aftercare. LifeShape is located at 1223 Gateway Drive, Suite 2B, Melbourne, FL 32901. 321-728-7553.

Dr. Mark A. Fusco, of LifeShape Advanced Bariatric Center of Florida, Announced in Partnership with New Informational Bariatric Surgery Website

May 26, 2011
By Ashley

May 2011

Dr. Mark A Fusco along with selected top bariatric surgeons from around the country have teamed up with Emma Squilace and Dr. Emma Patterson, co-founders of http://www.doctorsofweightloss.com, to provide one of the best available resources for individuals who want to understand the latest research, news, and options for weight loss surgery.

“The popularity of bariatric surgery has increased exponentially. As more individuals choose this option for weight loss, we noticed a lack of quality resources available for people trying to find important information about obesity and bariatric surgery. We created doctorsofweightloss.com and brought together top professionals to give people an opportunity to get the latest news about weight loss, and information on where they can go to find preeminent bariatric surgeons,” says Dr. Patterson.

Dr. Fusco and the leading bariatric surgeons, the Doctors of Weight Loss Inaugural Experts, were personally invited based on their high level of experience, demonstrated leadership, research and publishing, and outstanding commitment to patient success.

“I am very honored to be included in this project. Often it is very difficult to make sense of new information and research in bariatric surgery. I believe this website will be a great resource for patients, physicians and the media to have ready access to high quality credible information,” says Dr. Fusco.

As Founder of LifeShape Advanced Bariatric Center of Florida located in Melbourne, Dr. Mark A. Fusco specializes in Laparoscopic Gastric Band surgery. LifeShape Advanced Bariatric Center of Florida is a full service multidisciplinary weight loss center offering physician supervised medical weight loss programs, personalized fitness training in private state-of-the-art gym, and surgical treatment. With a highly trained team of surgeons, internal medicine doctors, nurses, nutritionists, personal trainers, and psychologists, LifeShape is able to provide patients with a safe and effective weight-loss surgery, comprehensive pre- and post-operative education and ongoing aftercare. LifeShape is located at 1223 Gateway Drive, Suite 2B, Melbourne, FL 32901. 321-728-7553.

Doctors of Weight Loss Inaugural Experts are Drs: Layton Alldredge, Sunil Bhoyrul, Helmuth Billy, Matthew Brengman, James Burhop, Stephen Burpee, Manfred Chiang, Patrick Chiasson, Alana Chock, Daniel Cottam, Scott Cunneen, Robert Cywes, Daniel Davis, David Engstrand, George Fielding, Mark Fusco, Mohamed Gazayerli, Barry Greene, RoseMarie Jones, Gregg Jossart, Ronnie Keith, Marina Kurian, Robert Michaelson, Mona Misra, Kevin Montgomery, Emma Patterson, Eric Pinnar, Jaime Ponce, David Provost, Brian Quebbemann, Christine Ren Fielding, Gregory Schroder, Vafa Shayani, Adam Smith, Robert Snow, and Albert Wetter.

Please direct all inquiries to: Ashley Liparini, ashley.liparini@mima.com or 
Emma Squillace, emmas@doctorsofweightloss.com

Italian Eating Patterns, By: Dr. Mark A. Fusco

March 16, 2011
By Ashley

Recently I had the opportunity to spend some time in Italy with one of the world’s most prominent weight loss surgeons. This surgeon practices in Rome, but has travelled and worked extensively in the United States. At one point during my visit, I observed that the number of obese people you encountered in Italy was less than what is typical in the U.S. Upon revealing my observation, the surgeon stated that Italy did, in fact, have an obesity rate about half of the U.S. It was also noted that obesity was more clustered in Italy among certain groups. Although completely unscientific, the view of this experienced bariatric surgeon, along with his knowledge of both the Italian and American eating patterns, I became extremely interested. I asked the surgeon to describe how the eating pattern of his family and his circle of friends differed from that of U.S. families. Observe as follows:

  • Three meals per day, very light breakfast, large midday meal, small evening meal.
  • Desert is usually fresh fruit in season.
  • No food intake outside of mealtime (except for one after school snack consisting of a fruit or vegetable for the children).
  • Fruit juice counted as a snack, not a drink.
  • They only drank water, coffee, and one glass of wine per day max (usually 2-3 times per week).
  • They only ate French Fries when they were on vacation (French fries, patadini friti, are all the rage in Italy right now. The typical portion when ordered in a restaurant is a huge dinner plate that is usually eaten with ketchup and mayonnaise.)
  • Cake, Ice Cream (Gelato), and Soda is only consumed at parties, special occasions, or on vacation and is never kept in the house.

Although the surgeon did not mention this, I have also observed that Italians walk more, and watch less television.

Something to think about, or better yet, just another reason to go to Italy and experience for yourself!