Patient Education

DR. LEONARDO INTERACTIVE WEBSERVICES would like to be your partner in health care. Feel free to ask your questions and share your concerns with us. We will work with you to develop a wellness program for the care and treatment you need.

We welcome you to our practice and look forward to caring for you.

DR. LEONARDO INTERACTIVE WEBSERVICES provides a full range of medical services including the following:

Back Lift

While losing weight is a positive event and dramatic weight loss results in numerous benefits to a person's health, after weight reduction surgery, or any substantial amount of weight loss, many parts of the body may have unsightly sagging skin. After extensive weight loss, the skin and tissues of the back often lack the elasticity to conform to the reduced body size, and therefore the skin may sag or appear as "rolls". A surgical procedure known as a back lift, or upper body lift, can address the issue of excess skin and fat on the back. A back lift is a surgical procedure that focuses on recontouring and tightening up the back by removing excess skin and fat. ...

Bariatric Revision Surgery

Bariatric surgery is usually a successful procedure that helps a patient achieve significant weight loss. In addition, there are normally minimal to no complications associated with the surgery. However, some patients may experience problems with the surgery or they may not succeed in losing the expected amount of excess weight. In these situations, a follow-up bariatric revision surgery is sometimes necessary. The revision may be recommended for individuals who have been experiencing complications, had poor weight loss results from the initial procedure or recently gained a substantial amount of weight, increasing the risk of developing obesity-related diseases. ...

Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric surgery is a surgical treatment for patients who are seriously obese, or obese and have another dangerous medical condition. There are several types of bariatric surgery, each of which makes surgical changes to the stomach and digestive tract that limit how much food can be ingested, and how much nutrition can be absorbed. All types of bariatric surgery are performed to promote weight loss. ...

Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch

Like other bariatric procedures, a biliopancreatic diversion (BPD) is a surgical operation performed to promote weight loss in obese, usually morbidly obese, patients. It works by structurally shrinking the size of stomach and by keeping food to be digested out of most of the small intestine. ...

Binge Eating Disorders

A binge eating disorder is an eating disorder where people consume unusually large amounts of food in one sitting. Many people who are binge eaters feel a lack of control over their eating and may feel extremely depressed and guilty after a binge eating episode. Binge eaters may be overweight or obese, but can also be of normal weight. Binge eaters are twice as likely to be women than men. There is no specific cause for binge eating but it may be a result of family history, biological factors, long-term dieting and psychological issues. Binge eating may be caused by depression or anxiety or may be the result of painful childhood experiences or family problems. ...

Body Mass Index

Body mass index, or BMI, is a calculation of total body fat based on height and weight. It is used to determine whether a patient is underweight, at a healthy weight or overweight. A high BMI can alert both doctor and patient to potential health risks associated with obesity, such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, breathing difficulties, severe sleep apnea or certain cancers. A low BMI can help to diagnose various illnesses which lead to or are precipitated by malnutrition, such as anemia, eating disorders or other types of cancer. ...

Brachioplasty

Brachioplasty (arm lift) is a surgical procedure performed to remove the loose, hanging skin that often develops on the underside of the upper arm as a result of aging, weight loss or weight gain. Brachioplasty is ideal for patients who have an excessive amount of hanging skin and/or fat that does not respond to diet and exercise; maintain a stable weight; do not smoke; and have realistic expectations for surgery. Patients must also be healthy overall, with no major medical conditions that can be affected by surgery. ...

Colonoscopy

A colonoscopy is a diagnostic procedure performed to examine the inside of the colon and rectum; it is used to determine causes of abdominal pain; rectal bleeding; and changes in bowel activity. It is also used to detect early signs of cancer. Colonoscopies are recommended every 10 years for everyone between the ages of 50 and 75. They may be recommended more frequently, or at a younger age, for people at elevated risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC), typically patients with certain medical conditions or with a family history of the disease. Colonoscopies are also performed as follow-ups to other screening tests with positive results, such as a fecal occult blood tests. ...

Diet and Exercise

Developing a healthy diet and regular exercise regimen are equally important. Many people only consider improving their diet and exercise routine when they want to lose weight. Diet and exercise, however, should not be forgotten once weight loss goals are achieved since they are important health factors even in individuals who are at an optimal weight. ...

Gastric Banding

Gastric banding is a restrictive operation in which a band is surgically inserted in the stomach to decrease the organ's size in order to restrict food intake and promote weight loss. This procedure has been FDA approved since 2001 to assist obese patients who require major weight loss and to help relieve their obesity-related health problems. Gastric banding is a commonly performed type of bariatric surgery. ...

Gastric Plication

Candidates for Gastric Plication

Bariatric surgery is not always an appropriate choice for every obese patient. Certain criteria must be met before such surgery is performed to ensure that the patient will reap its full benefits. To determine eligibility, patients are be screened for: ...

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), also known as acid reflux, occurs when stomach acid, used for digestion, regurgitates or refluxes into the esophagus, causing inflammation and damage to the lining of the esophagus. GERD is a complication of gastroesophageal reflux, also known as GER, a less serious form of GERD. Most people have occasional episodes of GER, but when GER becomes more frequent, occurring more than two times a week, it is classified as GERD. The stomach acid causes pain or burning in the chest or throat, known as heartburn. ...

Gastroparesis

Gastroparesis, also known as delayed gastric emptying, is a medical condition that causes the movement of food to slow down or stop, as it moves from the stomach to the small intestine. The stomach muscles do not function properly and the stomach's ability to empty is reduced. As a result, people with gastroparesis are at risk for dehydration, electrolyte imbalances and malnutrition. ...

LAP-BAND® Adjustable Gastric Banding System

The LAP-BAND® Adjustable Gastric Banding System is designed to reduce the size of the stomach so it will hold less food, facilitating weight loss in morbidly obese patients.

Candidates for the LAP-BAND Procedure

While many obese patients can benefit from LAP-BAND surgery, it is not always an appropriate choice for every obese patient. Certain criteria must be met before LAP-BAND surgery is performed to ensure that the patient will reap its full benefits. Patients, between the ages of 18 and 65, will be evaluated in terms of the following criteria. ...

Laparoscopic Weight Loss Surgery

As technology has advanced, laparoscopic techniques have become available for a wide range of surgical procedures, including most weight loss surgeries. Laparoscopic weight loss surgery provides accurate and effective results through minimally invasive techniques. Traditional bariatric surgery, performed through large incisions in the abdomen, results in visible scarring, heavy bleeding and relatively long periods of recovery. While positive results may be obtained through traditional surgery, laparoscopic procedures have many advantages for both patients and doctors. ...

Nutrition

Proper diet is essential to maintaining good health. Keeping the body well-nourished and at a healthy weight has been proven to improve mood, quality of life and longevity. It may also go a long way in preventing or controlling many serious illnesses. Obesity, which has now reached epidemic proportions in the United States, and an enemy of good health, can be kept at bay through proper nutrition along with a program of healthy exercise. ...

Obesity

Obesity is a chronic condition defined by an excess of body fat. Body fat has several important functions in the body, such as storing energy and providing insulation. Excess body fat, however, may interfere with an individual's health and well-being, particularly if a patient becomes morbidly obese. Not only does obesity interfere with everyday activities, it also increases the risk of developing serious medical conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Obesity is a serious health issue presently reaching epidemic proportions in society. It results in medical complications and early morbidity for a great many people. Other health conditions caused or exacerbated by obesity may include heart disease, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, high cholesterol and asthma. The good news is that obesity is a treatable ailment and that modern medicine provides more remedies for the condition than previously existed. ...

Panniculectomy

A panniculectomy is performed to remove a panniculus, which is an "apron" of excess skin and fat hanging from the lower abdomen. Panniculectomy is different from abdominoplasty, which, in addition to removing excess skin and fat, tightens the abdominal muscles. Abdominoplasty is considered a cosmetic procedure; panniculectomy is not, because a panniculus can cause medical problems and interfere with everyday activities. Candidates for panniculectomy have typically lost a large amount of weight through gastric- or intestinal-bypass surgery, or changes in nutrition and fitness habits, or are normal-weight women who have excess skin post-pregnancy. ...

REALIZE® Adjustable Gastric Band

REALIZE® Band is an adjustable gastric band designed to assist patients with weight loss. Originally created in Sweden, the Realize Band has had over 100,000 satisfied patients worldwide and has quickly grown in popularity in the United States as a comfortable and effective method of weight loss. More than 20 years of data confirm the successful performance of the REALIZE Band. ...

Restorative Obesity Surgery, Endolumenal

Restorative obesity surgery,endolumenal, commonly known as ROSE, is an innovative procedure used to treat patients who have regained weight in the years after their gastric bypass operations. This procedure is designed to redefine the limited contours of the stomach pouch created during the previous bariatric operation, and by doing so to decrease food consumption and assist patients in regaining control of their weight. ...

Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery is performed to help severely obese patients lose significant amounts of weight. The surgeon uses suture-like staples to separate a portion of the top of the stomach and create a pouch which is then connected directly to a section of the small intestine called the Roux limb. The name of this procedure derives from the surgical connection to the Roux limb and from the Y-shaped junction between stomach and small intestine. ...

Sleeve Gastrectomy

A sleeve gastrectomy, sometimes known as a gastric reduction or a vertical gastroplasty, is a restrictive form of bariatric surgery that effectively shrinks the stomach to approximately 15 percent of its original size. During the procedure, the surgeon sutures the stomach into the shape of a tube, or sleeve. Sleeve gastrectomy is commonly performed on severely obese patients who are not healthy enough to undergo a successful gastric bypass, biliopancreatic diversion or similar weight loss surgery. ...

StomaphyX Surgery

StomaphyX surgery is an incisionless procedure designed to reduce stomach size when the organ has stretched out following previous bariatric surgery. It is performed endoscopically through the mouth. While bariatric surgery is a powerful tool in the fight against obesity, as many as 15 to 20 percent of patients who have undergone gastric bypass surgery begin to regain lost weight within 3 to 5 years. This is because the smaller stomach pouch created by the surgeon, as well as the stoma, the opening connecting the stomach and small intestine, may gradually stretch. ...

The OPTIFAST® Program

The OPTIFAST® program is designed to help its participants, through education, behavior modification and supplied meals, to lose weight. The supplied meals are preportioned, calorie-controlled, nutritious and easy to prepare. The full program, which is medically supervised, typically lasts 6 months, and is recommended only for those with a body-mass index greater than 30. ...

Upper Endoscopy

Upper endoscopy, also known as esophagogastroduodenoscopy or EGD, is a diagnostic procedure used to visually examine and diagnose conditions of the upper gastrointestinal, or digestive tract. The upper gastrointestinal tract includes the esophagus, stomach and duodenum, or upper part of the small intestine. An upper endoscopy is performed using a flexible tube with an attached light and camera, called an endoscope. It is inserted through the mouth and guided along to thoroughly examine the upper gastrointestinal tract. ...