On December 6, Woman’s Hospital became a classroom for surgeons around the world as local bariatric surgeon Dr. Drake Bellanger performed Laparoscopic Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy surgery Live for medical colleagues at the 4th Annual International Consensus Summit for Sleeve Gastrectomy. Held December 6-8 in New York City, this international summit focuses solely on the Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy weight loss technique by bringing together the world’s best known bariatric surgeons.
Dr. Bellanger was the only U.S. physician selected to broadcast the classic laparoscopic sleeve. The Baton Rouge procedure was broadcast live alongside similar procedures from France and Spain, highlighting unique techniques and various clinical scenarios. Audience members were invited to interact with Dr. Bellanger during the procedure through the advanced video equipment located in Woman’s operating rooms.
Dr. Bellanger, Medical Director of
Woman’s Bariatric Program, chose the new hospital’s operating rooms because of, “the strong surgical staff, which is dedicated and highly experienced, in combination with the
new facilities advanced equipment,” says Dr. Bellanger. “Not all operating rooms have the technical hardware to transmit a live operation in a reliable fashion,” said Bellanger.
For the individual seeking weight loss surgery,
the “Sleeve” is currently one of the most common and effective procedures in our region. The first surgeon in Baton Rouge to perform the Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass procedure, Dr. Bellanger has performed more than 950 Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy procedures, as well as, Laparoscopic and Open Gastric Bypass, Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding and Gastric Plication Surgery. Bellanger graduated from the LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans and completed his general surgery training at the University of South Alabama Hospitals.
Woman’s offers the area’s only comprehensive surgical weight loss program solely for women with a team of health experts committed to following them before, during and after surgery. Unique to Woman’s is a personal
Weight Loss Surgery Coordinator, who is a Registered Nurse that guides each patient every step of the way in achieving her goals.