On Friday, November 15, Woman’s Hospital became a classroom for surgeons from around the world. Local bariatric surgeon Dr. Drake Bellanger, Medical Director of
Woman’s Bariatric Program, performed
laparoscopic vertical sleeve gastrectomy surgery live for medical colleagues at
ObesityWeek, a collaboration of the American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery and The Obesity Society on November 11-16 in Atlanta.
Dr. Bellanger is the only Louisiana physician chosen to broadcast a live surgery.
The procedure highlights Bellanger’s unique techniques, allow him to discuss various clinical scenarios and encourage audience interaction from colleagues throughout the procedure. Bellanger said he chose Woman’s for the broadcast based on “Woman’s highly experienced surgical staff in combination with the new facility’s advanced equipment.”
For the individual seeking weight loss surgery, the “Sleeve” is currently one of the most common and effective procedures in the region. Bellanger was the first surgeon in Baton Rouge to perform laparoscopic gastric bypass. He has performed more than 2,000 weight loss surgical procedures, including laparoscopic and open gastric bypass, laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding and gastric plication surgery.
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, a registered nurse who guides patients every step of the way in achieving weight loss goals.