HERRIN - Celebrities such as "American Idol's" Randy Jackson and "The Today Show" personality Al Roker have helped make bariatric surgery a mainstream term.

The weight loss procedure was, however, unavailable to Southern Illinoisans who didn't want to drive to Paducah or St. Louis on a regular basis. But a drive that could take several hours has dwindled to minutes now that Herrin Hospital will have the region's first bariatric surgery practice, the New Life Weight Loss Center.

Dr. Alex Argotte, who has been practicing bariatric surgery since 2001, will begin seeing patients out of Herrin Hospital on Jan. 20. He previously had a private practice in Paducah. Argotte will offer three types of surgery.

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass uses staples to create a stomach pouch that empties directly into the lower portion of the intestine, bypassing calorie absorption.

Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding creates a small pouch in the stomach with a band of silicone rubber. The band is inflated with a salt solution through a tube which connects to an access port placed under the skin.

The final surgery is a sleeve gastrectomy, in which the surgeon creates a sleeve-shaped stomach about the size of a banana.

The procedures have shown to reduce the risk for conditions including hypertension, coronary heart disease and strokes. They have even been known to end Type 2 diabetes in some patients.

Barbara Clemens, New Life's practice manager, said since word has spread about the new facility, there has been a steady flow of phone calls from interested residents.

"There's just a general interest because it's the first program of its kind in Southern Illinois," Clemens said.

According to a news release from Southern Illinois Healthcare, 25.6 percent of the population in the market area is considered obese, compared to 24.2 percent of the Illinois population.

But those looking to get the surgery will not be in for a simple visit to the hospital. Preparation can take months. And, after the surgery, patients will have to make regular checkups with the doctor. Argotte said after surgery, he sees patients once a month for a year, then once every two months the second year and once every three months every year after that. He said the procedure is not a simple exit from obesity.

"Trust me, it's not the easy way out," Argotte said.

He also stressed that it is not a surgery for someone looking to lose 15 pounds so they can fit into a swimsuit by summer.

"The operation is not a cosmetic procedure," Argotte said.

He said it is a major choice that will affect patients for the rest of their lives.

There will be information sessions from 7 to 9 p.m. beginning Thursday at Herrin Civic Center. There will also be a support group from 7 to 9 p.m. beginning March 19 at the hospital to help patients cope with the changes.

Heather Meyers, program coordinator, will oversee the group meetings. She said having others to talk to after the surgery can make the process easier to deal with.

Patients will also have to spend a decent amount of time meeting with dietician Jeannine Hutchcraft. She said they will be encouraged to lose weight before the surgery and will also have to make major alterations to their diets, including giving up soda. She said the process leading up to the surgery can be laborious for some patients.

"Some are required to have monthly checkups for six months," Hutchcraft said.

But the fact that it is a long process that requires a lot of visits to the doctor's office is why Herrin Hospital Administrator Becky Ashton felt it was so necessary to have a practice of its kind in the region.

"It's not a one-time medical operation," Ashton said. "For that reason, it's crucial that patients have a choice closer to where they live."

codell.rodriguez@thesouthern.com / 351-5804

MORE INFO

For more information on bariatric surgery, information sessions or support groups, call 988-6171.