va palo alto health care system move time clinic and ... · •jessica lohnberg, phd –health...

VA Palo Alto Health Care System MOVE TIME Clinic and Bariatric

Surgery Program

Welcome!

VA Palo Alto Bariatric Program

• Consists of:

– Multidisciplinary MOVE TIME clinic

• Obesity Medicine

• Behavioral Medicine/Psychology

• Physical Therapy

• Nutrition/Dietitian

– Bariatric Surgery

Obesity Medicine at the Palo Alto VA

• Cheryl Bates, MD – Director, MOVE TIME clinic

– Diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine

– Staff Physician, Medicine Service, VA Palo Alto

• Susan Frayne, MD – Professor of Medicine, Stanford University

– Staff Physician, Medicine Service, VA Palo Alto

• Patricia Nguyen, MD – Assistant Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University

– Staff Cardiologist, VA Palo Alto

Behavioral Medicine/Psychology at the Palo Alto VA

• Jessica Lohnberg, PhD – Health psychologist in the Behavioral Medicine program at the VA Palo Alto.

– Conducts mental health evaluations for patients undergoing medical medical procedures, works with patients making health behavior changes (ex. losing weight or smoking cessation) and helps patients cope with and manage chronic medical conditions.

• Psychology Interns & Postdoctoral Fellows

Physical Therapy at the Palo Alto VA

• Daniele Guzman, PT, DPT – Physical therapist with experience working with patients with a variety of

orthopedic, neurologic and cardiac impairments.

– Has spent many years as of part of the MOVE TIME team assisting in the development of exercise programs and weight loss guidance.

– Earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy from Samuel Merritt University and is American Physical Therapy Association Credentialed Clinical Instructor.

• Eric Hardin, DPT – Physical therapist with experience working with patients with neurologic

impairments and assisting patients with weight management

Nutrition/Dietitian at the Palo Alto VA

• Evelyn Shinoda, RD – Registered Dietitian, Ambulatory Care, VA Palo Alto

• Lindsey Proctor, RD – Registered Dietitian, Ambulatory Care, VA Palo Alto

VA Bariatric Surgery at the Palo Alto VA

• Dan Eisenberg, MD, MS – Director, Bariatric and Minimally Invasive Surgery, VA Palo Alto – Fellow, American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery – Associate Professor of Surgery, Stanford School of Medicine

• Janey Pratt, MD – General Surgeon with experience in advanced laparoscopy, and bariatric surgery – Member, American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery – Clinical Associate Professor of Surgery, Stanford University

• Nina Bellatorre, CNS-BC, MS – Nina has 39 years of nursing experience and has been working with Bariatric

Surgery Patients for 15 years – Holds a certification in Bariatric Nursing from the American Society for Metabolic

and Bariatric Surgery – She is committed to assisting Bariatric Patients in their journey to regain their

health and quality of life


• How do I get started? – You will need to speak to your Primary Care

Physician first

– If you are a patient IN the VA Palo Alto system your PCP will need to review the MOVE TIME consult for more information regarding referral

– If you are a patient from OUTSIDE the VA Palo Alto system your PCP will need to review the referral information on the consult entitled: IFC Bariatric Surgery Palo Alto


• When will I have weight-loss surgery?

– All patients who are Bariatric Surgery candidates will come to the MOVE TIME clinic for screening for readiness for surgery

– Multiple visits with MOVE TIME clinic providers may be necessary based on individual patient needs

– The MOVE TIME team meets monthly to discuss MOVE TIME clinic patients and their readiness for surgery. Operations are scheduled after this meeting.


• How long will I wait for weight-loss Surgery?

– The wait time is dependent upon completion of all required preoperative evaluations.

– This may take a few weeks or a few months.

– Our commitment to YOUR success is the basis for all preoperative requirements.


• General Preoperative Requirements – 3 months of MOVE program involvement with

progress made toward healthy lifestyle changes

– Completion of medical screening

– Psychological screening • This includes:

– Alcohol/drug cessation for at least 1 year

– Tobacco-free for at least 6 months

– Stable living situation and support system

– View the web-based Bariatric Program Informational Presentations


• Once you are approved for Bariatric Surgery

– The surgery date is usually within 1-2 months of MOVE TIME team clearance

– You will be contacted and given a PRE-OPERATIVE appointment in the General Surgery clinic at the Palo Alto VA, to talk with the Surgeons and Anesthesiologists.


• Once you are approved for Bariatric Surgery

– If you live >50 miles away and you have a support person(s) who wish(es) to be with you, lodging will be arranged

– Check with your local VA travel office to determine if you are eligible for travel benefits to the VA Palo Alto


• Average Hospital length of stay is 2-4 days

• Day of Surgery

– You will be admitted to the hospital on the day of your surgery.

– If you have sleep apnea: Be sure to bring your CPAP machine!


• Postoperative Recovery

– You will wear special leg “boots” to prevent blood clots

– You will be asked to get out of bed the night of surgery and either sit in the chair or walk around

– Once ready to drink liquids you will be given water first to see how you tolerate this (usually the day after surgery)


• Once you are ready to return home, you will be discharged from the hospital.

• When returning home from the VA Palo Alto, written and verbal instructions will be given to guide your diet and medication changes.

• Contact numbers will be provided upon discharge so that if questions arise at home you will have someone to call.


• We look forward to meeting you and working with you in the future!

va palo alto health care system move time clinic and ... · •jessica lohnberg, phd –health...

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