The Brigham and Women’s Program for Weight Loss Surgery at Faulkner Hospital is a comprehensive weight loss surgery program offering the latest in surgical and dietary treatment for those interested in achieving and maintaining a healthier weight.

Designated as a level 1A Bariatric Center, the highest accreditation from the American College of Surgeons, the program offers the latest treatments for those individuals who struggle with obesity, including laparoscopic and open procedures, which are known to provide safe, effective weight loss surgery.

Weight loss surgery can benefi t appropriate patients in many ways. According to Dr. Ali Tavakkolizadeh, a bariatric surgeon at both Faulkner Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, weight loss surgery has proven to be more effective than dieting in achieving long term weight loss because individuals who lose weight by dieting often regain their excess weight over time. “In addition to weight loss, patients may experience an improvement in existing medical conditions, a decrease in medications, improved fertility and an improvement in quality of life,” states Dr. Tavakkolizadeh.

Choose the procedure that’s right for you:

Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

This operation involves separating a small pouch at the top of the stomach and sewing the new pouch to a segment of the small intestine. Food enters the small pouch, goes directly into the small intestine and thus bypasses the majority of the remaining stomach and the fi rst several feet of the small intestine.

Following this procedure, weight loss occurs because food intake is limited by the small size of the new stomach pouch and patients on average lose 60-70 percent of their excess body weight after two years.

Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding

Adjustable Gastric Banding involves the placement of a small band around the upper part of the stomach. The band contains an infl atable chamber that is attached to a catheter that sits underneath the skin.

This catheter allows the band to be tightened or loosened using an injection of saline solution into the catheter.

“On average, patients lose 40-45 percent of their excess body weight after two years with this procedure,” continues Dr. Tavakkolizadeh. One of the primary benefi ts to this procedure is that it can be done with a single incision near the belly button, reducing pain, risk of infection and scarring.

Sleeve Gastrectomy

In this procedure, approximately 85 percent of the stomach is removed. Even though the stomach is drastically reduced in size, this surgical option preserves the functions of the outlet valves and nerves to the stomach.

“Although this procedure is less risky than a gastric bypass, and good results following the surgery have been reported, there are concerns about long term weight regain with this procedure, and it is therefore not offered routinely to everyone,” states Dr. Tavakkolizadeh.

Follow up care

Following any type of weight loss surgery, patients may be referred to Brigham and Women’s Plastic Surgery at Faulkner Hospital. “Patients who have lost a signifi cant amount of weight oftentimes are left with excess skin, which can cause rashes and skin breakdowns,” states Dr. Karl Breuing, Director of Brigham and Women’s Plastic Surgery at Faulkner Hospital. “By using specialized techniques, plastic surgeons at Faulkner Hospital can reshape almost any area of the body to help eliminate excess fat and skin.”

If you’re thinking about weight loss surgery, don’t delay. Call Brigham and Women’s Program for Weight Loss Surgery at Faulkner Hospital today at 617-983-7500 to discuss your weight loss options and fi nd the one that’s right for you.

For those patients who have experienced substantial weight regain after their gastric bypass surgery, there’s a new procedure being performed at Faulkner Hospital that can help them achieve further weight loss and virtually eliminates the need for a scalpel. This high tech procedure is performed using the StomaphyX device, which allows surgeons to enter the body through the mouth.

“This new device is mounted on the end of a scope that goes down the mouth,” says Dr. Ali Tavakkolizadeh, a bariatric surgeon at Brigham and Women’s Weight Loss Program at Faulkner Hospital. “From there, we’re able to reduce the size of the stomach using stitches placed endoscopically, and without making any incisions in the abdomen.”

This procedure drastically reduces recovery time for repeat gastric bypass patients, as well as patient pain and risk of infection. Dr. Tavakkolizadeh is one of about 150 physicians nationwide to use this new procedure.

Using this procedure, it is estimated that patients can lose up to 20 percent of their excess body weight within a year. “This new procedure represents an exciting and minimally invasive option to deal with weight regain in those who have undergone a previous bariatric procedure,” continues Dr. Tavakkolizadeh.

Our compassionate weight loss counselors are waiting to talk to you about this exciting new procedure. Call 617-983-7500 to learn more.

As of January 1, 2009, Massachusetts hospitals, including Faulkner Hospital, have ended the temporary closing of emergency departments due to overcrowding, a practice called diversion, where a patient could potentially end up at a medical facility that they had never been or where their regular doctor doesn’t work.

“This new practice is really aimed at benefi ting the patient,” says Dr. Richard Larson, Chief of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Faulkner Hospital. “Patients want to go to an emergency department that they’ve been to before or where their primary care doctor practices and this will ensure that patients will have more say in their medical care based on where they feel most comfortable.”

One of the fears heading into this year was that some emergency departments would end up being even more overcrowded, leading to longer wait times. “Faulkner Hospital took many steps to ensure that we diagnose and treat patients in a timely manner well before this policy went into effect,” continues Dr. Larson.

In fact, wait times in Faulkner Hospital’s Emergency Department have not increased and, in fact, are trending down.

In addition to emergency department procedures, Faulkner Hospital also revised its admitting policy last year, which helps to speed up the process by which a patient can go from the emergency department to an inpatient fl oor. “We’re really working hard to ensure that we can best meet the needs of our patients during a medical crisis,” continues Dr. Larson. “The policies and procedures we’ve put in place in the last year will ensure that people who come to us for medical care in an emergency are seen in the most timely and effi cient manner possible.”

If it’s a medical emergency, remember that Faulkner Hospital is ready to receive and treat you 24/7.

A decade long relationshipbenefi ts community with world class care

Your Health H e a l t h n e w s f r o m y o u r c o m m u n i t y h o s p i t a l

New help for those who have gained weight since having gastric bypass surgery

Is weight loss surgery for you?Faulkner Hospital’s ER is open 24/7

Logging on and fi nding a local doctor is now easier than ever with Faulkner Hospital’s new online physician directory. Simply log on towww.FaulknerHospital.org and click on the ‘Find A Doctor’ link on the top toolbar.

From there, you’ll be able to search Faulkner Hospital’s updated directory by physician name and specialty, as well as location and language preference.

“This online tool will really allow the public to pick the health care provider that’s right for them

based on their personal preferences,” states Dr. Stephen Wright, Chief of Medicine at Faulkner Hospital. “We all know that having physicians we feel comfortable with is an important part of any medical relationship and now the public can tap into this important resource from the comfort of their own home.”

To fi nd a doctor in your area who’s affi liated with Faulkner Hospital, log ontowww.FaulknerHospital.org and search ‘Find A Doctor.’

Looking for a pediatrician, a primary care doctor or a specialist?

1153 Centre StreetBoston, MA 02130

More than a decade ago, Faulkner Hospital, highly regarded as one of the region’s most respected community teaching hospitals, joined with Brigham and Women’s Hospital, one of the country’s premiere teaching and research hospitals, to integrate services and share resources to best meet the growing patient needs in their communities.

Since joining with Brigham and Women’s Hospital, access to a wide range of services at Faulkner Hospital have been expanded to ensure that patients receive the right care at the right location at the right time.

Today, Faulkner Hospital provides its patients with the some of the most advanced medication safety technology by utilizing a combination of computerized order entry, administration records, infusion pumps and automated drug dispensing machines. In fact, later this year the hospital will implement a Bedside Medication Verifi cation system, known as barcoding, that will automatically check

a patient’s medical record to ensure that they’re receiving the correct medicine and the correct dosage at the proper time.

Faulkner Hospital also received full accreditation from The Joint Commission, which accredits and certifi es more than 15,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States.

“We’re very proud of the services we’re able to offer here at Faulkner Hospital,” says David J. Trull,

benefi ts community with world class carebenefi ts community with world class care

community teaching hospitals, joined with Brigham and Women’s Hospital, one of the country’s premiere teaching and research hospitals, to integrate services and share resources to best meet the growing

Hospital, access to a wide range of services at Faulkner Hospital have been expanded to a patient’s medical record to ensure that they’re

benefi ts community with world class carebenefi ts community with world class care

Continued Inside

From left: Dr. Ali Tavakkolizadeh, Dr. Edward Mun, Dr. Malcolm Robinson, Dr. Ashley Vernon and Dr. David Lautz of Brigham and Women’s Program for Weight Loss Surgery at Faulkner Hospital.

In addition to expertise in Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery, Brigham and Women’s Plastic Surgery at Faulkner Hospital also offers a full array of Laser and Skin Care Services including:

• Skin Care Analysis / Consultation

• Laser / Intense Pulse Light Services

Acne treatmentSpider veinsLeg veinsScar treatmentMelasmaRosaceaHair RemovalSun spotsTelangiectasia

• Skin RejuvenationNon ablative skin resurfacingSkin tone and smoothnessMicrodermabrasionSkin tighteningHydrafacial MD™Facial Peels

• Pharmaceutical Skin Care Products including Obagi®

• Botox®, Juvederm™, Radiesse®, and Restylane®

If you’re interested in looking and feeling younger, contact Brigham and Women’s Plastic Surgery at Faulkner Hospital at 617-983-7500.

For the past several years, Brigham and Women’s Hernia Center at Faulkner Hospital has been offering patients the latest therapeutic interventions for the treatment of hernias, including laparoscopic surgery, plastic surgery reconstruction and non-operative management . “A hernia is an abdominal wall defect that results in bulging of the abdominal wall which causes pain and can sometimes lead to serious medical problems,” says Dr. Stephen Ferzoco, Director of Brigham and Women’s Hernia Center at Faulkner Hospital as well as the Associate Chief of Surgery at Faulkner Hospital.

By offering a multidisciplinary approach to the treatment of hernias, Dr. Ferzoco and

his team of general surgeons, plastic surgeons, physical and occupational therapists and pain management specialists are able to treat both common groin hernias as well as the more complex abdominal hernias. “We handle

more than 100 complex hernia cases a year so we really know how to best correct issues that patients have sometimes had for several years,” states Dr. Ferzoco.

In addition, all hernia operations are done in conjunction with a plastic surgeon who handles the reconstruction of the abdominal wall. “It’s vital that this portion of the procedure be done correctly,” states Dr. Karl Breuing, Director of Brigham and Women’s Plastic Surgery at Faulkner Hospital. “If not, there’s the possibility of having to do the procedure again because the abdominal wall is not stable.”

By specializing solely in the treatment of hernias, the Brigham and Women’s Hernia Center at Faulkner Hospital is able to offer patients convenient access to world renowned physicians who offer the latest in advanced technology, as well as the newest biologic or bio-prosthetic materials available, such as mesh and animal skin.

If you’ve been diagnosed with a hernia, you owe it to yourself to call the Brigham and Women’s Hernia Center at Faulkner Hospital. To make an appointment, please call (617) 983-7500.

When people think of plastic and reconstructive surgery, they generally think of breast augmentation, face lifts and techniques aimed at helping people look younger. While Brigham and Women’s Plastic Surgery at Faulkner Hospital offers all of those procedures, many of their patients come to them when they’re facing breast reconstruction due to breast cancer.

For many women, the fear of having breast cancer is just as bad as the fear of looking and feeling incomplete

following breast surgery. But Dr. Karl Breuing, Director of Brigham and Women’s Plastic Surgery at Faulkner Hospital, and his team of highly skilled practitioners are helping women facing the loss of one or both breasts to recover both physically and emotionally by offering an integrated approach to treating each patient.

“The amazing thing about getting treated at Faulkner Hospital is that all of our services are under one roof,” states Dr. Breuing. “You can have your cancer treated here and then we can perform breast reconstruction using the latest in minimally invasive implant based techniques.” These minimally invasive techniques are geared towards helping women recover quicker because there is no loss of skin from another part of the body and there are fewer incisions, which reduces

the risk of infection. In fact, Dr. Breuing is one of the pioneers of this technique, which is widely used in Europe and Canada.

“Our interdisciplinary approach to treating patients is really what sets us apart from other practices,” states Dr. Breuing. “We work with each patient to ensure that they can make an educated decision about their treatment based on the professional options that we present to them. Every step of the way, we’re able to provide patient care right here at Faulkner.”

As the need for their services has grown over the years, so to has the number of staff seeing patients at Faulkner Hospital. “We currently have seven Brigham and Women’s surgeons operating at Faulkner Hospital and another fi ve surgeons who also provide their services to patients.”

In addition to the ease of access at Faulkner Hospital, patients that come to Brigham and Women’s Plastic Surgery at Faulkner Hospital note that having single patient rooms is one of the major benefi ts to a quick recovery. “After surgery, our patients like the fact that they can stay in a single bed room where they’re able to have private discussions with their physicians and family members while focusing on their recovery,” states Dr. Breuing.

If your cancer treatment included breast surgery or if you’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer, it’s time to learn about your options in the fi eld of reconstructive surgery. Call 617-983-7500 to learn more about your breast surgery options.

Don’t let the pain of a hernia slow you down

Looking your best has never been easier or quicker

Does your breast cancer treatment include surgery?

Get expert relief from foot and ankle pain at Faulkner HospitalAs part of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Brigham and Women’s Foot and Ankle Center at Faulkner Hospital has been helping patients maintain an active lifestyle for years by providing expert treatment for a wide variety of disorders, including

• Fractures, sprains and strains • Sports injuries• Diabetic foot care • Foot deformities • Toe disorders • Tendon disorders • Arthritis and joint diseases • Nerve disorders

“The most common ailments we treat are from sports injuries and arthritis,” says Dr. Christopher Chiodo, Chief of the Brigham Foot and Ankle Center Division. “As the population has aged over the last two decades we’ve seen a drastic increase in the number of middle aged individuals coming to us who want to maintain their active lifestyle.”

Dr. Chiodo notes that what makes the Foot and Ankle Center so unique is the multidisciplinary approach to treating patients. “We don’t just treat an ailment and send a patient home,” says Dr. Chiodo. “We are orthopedic surgeons who are specially trained in foot and ankle surgery and work with physical therapists, orthotists, bracemakers, radiologists, podiatrist and cast technicians to ensure that each patient is receiving the best possible diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care as possible.”

While treating patients with arthritis and other injuries does oftentimes require some type of surgery, many patients never need to have surgery performed. “Many of our patients have ankle sprains, bruising or some type of soreness associated with over-usage or arthritis,” states Dr. Michael Wilson, who founded the Center and is now Chairman of Faulkner Hospital’s Department of Orthopedic Surgery. “In many instances, these ailments can be corrected with walking boots, casts, physical therapy and custom orthopedic shoe inserts.”

For those patients that can’t avoid surgery, the Foot and Ankle Center offers the latest in surgical procedures, including new minimally invasive ankle fusion procedures that bond ankle bones together. “Not only does ankle fusion have a higher success rate than previous methods, but it also preserves the normal anatomy of the joint,” continues Dr. Chiodo. “In the long term, this type of procedure will help people return to an active lifestyle with minimal restraints for future usage.”

In addition, physicians at the Foot and Ankle Center are now using new techniques to repair tendons and cartilage disorders, which allows for improved function and stability. Earlier this year, Dr. Eric Bluman brought his ground-breaking work in minimally invasive Achilles tendon repair, ankle fusions and ligament reconstruction to the already world renowned team.

For more information about Brigham and Women’s Foot and Ankle Center at Faulkner Hospital or to make an appointment, please call 617-983-7500. Your feet will thank you.please call 617-983-7500. Your feet will thank you.please call 617-983-7500. Your feet will thank you.please call 617-983-7500. Your feet will thank you.please call 617-983-7500. Your feet will thank you.please call 617-983-7500. Your feet will thank you.please call 617-983-7500. Your feet will thank you.please call 617-983-7500. Your feet will thank you.

Dr. Stephen Ferzoco

Dr. Christopher Chiodo

Dr. Karl Breuing

President. “Through our relationship with Brigham and Women’s Hospital, we are able to offer world class health care that is close to where people work and live. This was our goal ten years ago and we have exceeded our expectations.”

Of the many benefi ts of going to Faulkner Hospital is their use of private patient rooms. Private rooms have been shown to increase patient satisfaction, reduce the risk of infections and offer more fl exibility among practioners to best treat patients. With more than 1,600 full and part time employees helping to meet the growing demand for medical services, Faulkner Hospital had 8,400 discharges in 2008. Faulkner and Brigham and Women’s Hospital surgical staff are now performing close to 11,000 surgical procedures this year at Faulkner Hospital.

“Overall, joining with Brigham and Women’s Hospital has been a real benefi t to this community,” continues Trull. “We’re able to offer specialties in cardiology, orthopedics, gynecology, emergency services and so much more.”

Come see what makes Faulkner Hospital one of the leading community hospitals in the state or visit us online atwww.FaulknerHospital.org for more information.

A Decade Long Relationship...Continued From Front Cover

FFaulkner Hospital’s aulkner Hospital’s Faulkner Hospital’s FFaulkner Hospital’s FRehabilitation Services will

keep you on the moveFaulkner Hospital’s Rehabilitation Services provides Physical, Occupational, Hand and Speech Therapy services to all members of the community.

“If you have a muscle ache or pain that needs to be addressed, we can offer a complete treatment plan for returning you to your prior level of activity and wellness,” states Jean Flanagan Jay, Director of Faulkner Hospital’s Rehabilitation Services. “Our Rehabilitation Clinicians will work with you to resolve speech, hand, upper extremity, musculoskeletal, lymphedema and neurological issues that often times keep people from leading a normal life.”

Open Monday through Friday from 7 am to 6:30 pm, treatment is provided in private, state-of-the-art rooms that utilize some of the most current technology available today.

If aches and pains are slowing you down, call 617-983-7500 so that Faulkner Hospital’s Rehabilitation Services can help get you moving again.

Jean Flanagan Jay, PT