Comprehensive Obesity Disease Care

Medical Weight Loss • Lifestyle Strategy • Long-Term Support

A Structured, Physician-Led Approach to Sustainable Weight Loss

Weight loss is not simply about willpower—it is a complex, chronic disease that requires a structured and personalized approach. Dr. Lough offers comprehensive obesity disease care designed to support patients at every stage of their journey.

A Personalized Plan Built Around You

This program is designed for patients seeking a medically guided path to weight loss, whether as a standalone solution or as part of a broader long-term strategy.

Your care plan includes:

• A customized medical weight loss plan with defined goals
• Integration of lifestyle changes that support sustainable results
• Ongoing accountability and progress tracking

Medication Options When Appropriate

For patients who are candidates, treatment may include:

• GLP-1 injectable medications
• GLP-1 oral medications
• areful monitoring and adjustment based on response and tolerance

Ongoing Support and Expert Guidance

Success in weight loss comes from consistency and support. This program includes:

• Regular follow-up visits alternating between Dr. Lough and a registered dietitian
• Nutritional guidance tailored to your progress and needs
• Adjustments to your plan based on real results—not assumptions

A Continuum of Care—Not a One-Size-Fits-All Solution

What sets this approach apart is the ability to transition seamlessly between medical and surgical options if needed. Dr. Lough provides guidance across the full spectrum of care, ensuring that your treatment evolves with you.

Who This Is For

• Patients beginning their weight loss journey
• Patients currently on GLP-1 medications seeking structured support
• Patients who want medical guidance before considering surgery
• Patients looking for long-term accountability and results

Start with a Plan Built for You

If you are ready for a more structured, supported, and personalized approach to weight loss, this program provides the clarity and guidance needed to move forward with confidence.

Weight Loss Surgery

Gastric Sleeve • Gastric Bypass • Duodenal Switch

A Path to a Healthier, Happier You

For many individuals, achieving lasting weight loss can feel like an insurmountable challenge. Diet and exercise, while crucial for overall health, may not always be enough. This is where bariatric surgery, also known as weight loss surgery, steps in as a powerful tool for those struggling with obesity.

Understanding Bariatric Surgery Procedures

Bariatric surgery encompasses a range of procedures designed to promote significant and sustainable weight loss. Here at Dr. Lough’s practice, we offer three laparoscopic (minimally invasive) weight loss surgery options:

• Sleeve Gastrectomy: This procedure restricts the stomach size, leading to decreased food intake and hormonal changes that promote satiety.
• Gastric Bypass: This surgery reroutes the digestive system, creating a smaller pouch to hold food and bypassing a portion of the small intestine.
• Duodenal Switch (SADI): This complex procedure combines elements of sleeve gastrectomy and biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch, resulting in significant weight loss and improved metabolic function.

Long-Term Weight Loss Solutions

Bariatric surgery offers numerous benefits beyond just the numbers on the scale. Here are some of the most compelling advantages:

• Significant and Sustained Weight Loss: Studies show that bariatric surgery can lead to a weight loss of 50% or more of excess body weight, with long-term success rates exceeding traditional weight loss methods.
• Improved Health Outcomes: Bariatric surgery can significantly improve or even resolve obesity-related health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, and joint pain.
• Enhanced Quality of Life: Weight loss can boost your energy levels, increase mobility, and improve your overall sense of well-being. You may find yourself engaging in activities you once thought impossible.
• Long-Term Health Benefits: By reducing obesity and its associated health risks, bariatric surgery can significantly increase your life expectancy and overall health.

Preparing for Weight Loss Surgery

Success with bariatric surgery hinges on proper preparation. Here are some key steps to take before undergoing surgery:

• Consultation with a Healthcare Professional: Discuss your weight loss goals and medical history with Dr. Lough to determine if bariatric surgery is the right choice for you.
• Researching Different Surgeries: Familiarize yourself with the available procedures, their potential risks and benefits, and what to expect before, during, and after surgery.
• Dietary and Lifestyle Changes: You may be required to make pre-operative dietary changes to prepare your body for surgery and demonstrate your commitment to a healthier lifestyle.
• Building a Support System: Surround yourself with supportive family, friends, and a healthcare team to guide you through your weight loss journey.

Am I a Candidate for Bariatric Surgery?

Several factors determine your suitability for bariatric surgery. Dr. Lough will consider your:

• Body Mass Index (BMI)
• History of weight loss attempts
• Overall health status
• Psychological well-being
• xCommitment to long-term lifestyle changes

Exploring the Different Types of Bariatric Surgery

Dr. Lough’s practice offers a comprehensive range of bariatric procedures to cater to individual needs. From sleeve gastrectomy to gastric bypass and SADI surgery, we provide detailed information on each procedure to help you make an informed decision.

Bariatric Revision Surgery and Adjustable Gastric Band Removal

If you’ve previously undergone bariatric surgery and are experiencing complications or require adjustments, Dr. Lough offers revision surgery and adjustable gastric band removal procedures.

Embrace a Healthier and Happier You

Don’t let weight hold you back from experiencing life to the fullest. Bariatric surgery can be the key to unlocking a healthier, happier you. Contact Dr. Lough, MD, FACS today to schedule a consultation and discuss your weight loss goals.

GLP-1 Medication Complications & Evaluation

Plateau • Side Effects • Weight Regain • Digestive Complications

What Should You Do When Weight Loss Medications Stop Working?

If your GLP-1 medication is no longer effective or causing side effects, the next step is a clinical evaluation to understand why and determine the right path forward.

GLP-1 medications have helped many patients begin their weight loss journey. However, an increasing number of patients are now experiencing challenges that require further evaluation and expert guidance.

If you are taking a GLP-1 medication and feel stuck, unwell, or unsure of your next step, you are not alone—and you are not without options.

Common Challenges with GLP-1 Medication

Patients often seek care when experiencing:

• Weight loss plateau despite continued medication use
• Weight regain after stopping GLP-1 therapy
• Severe acid reflux or worsening GERD symptoms
• Symptomatic gallstones or abdominal pain
• Persistent nausea, vomiting, or intolerance to dose escalation
• Gastroparesis-like symptoms or slowed digestion

For Referring Physicians

If your patient is struggling with GLP-1 tolerance, experiencing complications, or beginning to regain weight, early referral allows for timely intervention and expanded care options.

Take Control of Your Next Step

If your current weight loss approach is no longer working or creating new challenges, Dr. Lough can help you understand what comes next—with clarity, expertise, and a patient-first approach.

Acid Reflux / Heartburn

Hiatal Hernia Repair • LINX Implant • Fundoplication

Finding Lasting Relief from Acid Reflux

Heartburn, a burning sensation in your chest caused by stomach acid backing up into the esophagus, can be a major disruption to your daily life. When medication fails to provide lasting relief, surgery emerges as a viable and effective option to permanently address Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).

Understanding Acid Reflux and Hiatal Hernia

Chronic acid reflux, medically known as GERD, occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), a muscular valve at the base of the esophagus, weakens or malfunctions. This allows stomach acid to flow back up into the esophagus, causing irritation and the characteristic burning sensation.
Hiatal hernia, a condition where a portion of the stomach protrudes through the diaphragm (the muscle separating the chest from the abdomen), can contribute to GERD by further weakening the LES.

Why Choose Surgery for Chronic GERD?

Many patients with GERD find that medication, while initially helpful, loses effectiveness over time. They may still experience:

• Persistent heartburn: Despite taking medications regularly, even at increased doses.
• Acid regurgitation: The unpleasant sensation of stomach contents rising into the throat or mouth.
• Belching and dry cough: Discomforting side effects caused by reflux.
• Disrupted sleep: Nighttime regurgitation can lead to poor sleep quality and fatigue.

Surgery offers a long-term solution by:

• Eliminating heartburn and regurgitation: Providing lasting relief from these bothersome symptoms.
• Enhancing sleep quality: Allowing for undisturbed sleep and improved overall well-being.
• Reducing medication dependence: Freeing you from the need for daily medication and its potential side effects.
• Dietary freedom: Enabling you to enjoy a wider range of foods without the fear of triggering symptoms.

Surgical Options for Long-Term Relief

Dr. Lough utilize minimally invasive laparoscopic and robotic techniques for anti-reflux surgery. Here are some of the standard procedures to treat GERD:

• Hiatal Hernia Repair: This procedure strengthens the diaphragm opening, preventing the stomach from herniating.
• Nissen or Toupet Fundoplication: This technique wraps the upper part of the stomach around the lower esophagus to reinforce the valve and prevent reflux.
• LINX Reflux Management System: A small ring of magnetic beads is placed around the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) to strengthen it and prevent acid from flowing back up.

These procedures provide:

• Surgical Precision: Minimally invasive techniques offer greater accuracy and control.
• Faster Recovery: Laparoscopic and robotic surgeries typically allow same-day discharge in most cases.

Dr. Lough’s Patient-Centric Approach

Dr. Lough and his team are dedicated to providing exceptional care for patients with GERD. They will thoroughly discuss your condition, explain the benefits and risks of each surgical option, and tailor a treatment plan to your individual needs and preferences.

Take Control of Your Life: Schedule a Consultation Today

If chronic GERD is impacting your quality of life, Dr. Lough, MD, FACS, can help. Contact our office today to schedule a consultation and explore the possibility of surgical intervention for lasting relief.

Advanced Laparoscopic & Robotic Surgery

Robotic surgery is state-of-the-art advanced laparoscopic general surgery

Minimally Invasive Techniques for Faster Recovery

Laparoscopic and robotic surgery have revolutionized the surgical landscape, offering patients a path to faster recovery and improved outcomes. Dr. Lough, MD, FACS, a highly skilled and experienced surgeon, is committed to providing patients with the advantages of these advanced techniques.

What is Laparoscopic & Robotic Surgery?

Traditional open surgery often requires large incisions, leading to significant pain and a lengthy recovery period. Laparoscopic and robotic surgery, on the other hand, utilize minimally invasive techniques. During these procedures, Dr. Lough makes only a few small incisions to access the surgical site. A laparoscope, a thin, lighted instrument, is inserted through one incision, allowing Dr. Lough to view the surgical area on a high-definition monitor. Specialized instruments are then inserted through the other incisions to perform the necessary procedures.

The da Vinci® Surgical System

Robotic-assisted surgery takes laparoscopy a step further. The da Vinci® Surgical System provides Dr. Lough with magnified 3D high-definition vision and superior dexterity. The robotic arms translate his hand movements into precise movements of tiny instruments, allowing for unmatched control and accuracy.

Benefits of Advanced Laparoscopic & Robotic Surgery

Patients undergoing advanced laparoscopic or robotic surgery with Dr. Lough can expect to experience several advantages:

• Minimally invasive approach: Smaller incisions translate to less pain and faster healing.
• Reduced risk of complications: Minimally invasive techniques can lead to lower infection rates and faster recovery.
• Improved cosmetic outcomes: Smaller incisions result in less noticeable scarring.
• Shorter hospital stays: Many procedures can now be performed on an outpatient basis or require a shorter hospital stay.
• Quicker return to normal activities: Faster recovery times allow patients to get back to their daily lives sooner.

Procedures Performed by Dr. Lough

Dr. Lough utilizes advanced laparoscopic and robotic techniques for a wide range of procedures, including:

• Weight loss surgery
• Inguinal hernia repair
• Ventral hernia repair
• Hiatal hernia repair
• Acid reflux procedures
• Colon resection for cancer or diverticulitis
• Small bowel resection
• Emergency surgery & diagnostic surgery
• Adrenalectomy
• Splenectomy (spleen surgery) & adrenalectomy