Dr. Billy performs weight loss surgery on Carnie Wilson

April 3, 2012 - PRLog -- VENTURA, CA -- Dr. Helmuth Billy and the team at Ventura Advanced Surgical Associates (http://www.drbillybariatrics.com/default) are excited to be a part of Carnie Wilson’s journey to weight loss.

Dr. Billy performed Lap Band weight loss surgery (http://www.drbillybariatrics.com/default/weight-loss-procedures/lap-band-procedure) on Ms. Wilson January 18, 2012. The surgery has already proven to be effective for Ms. Wilson, who is best known for her performing career with the band Wilson Phillips. Just three months after surgery, she has lost 32 pounds and is touring the country and promoting their new album, “Dedicated.” As Ms. Wilson’s bariatric surgeon, Dr. Billy performed her operation laparoscopically, which allowed for a faster healing time and minimized pain or scarring.  

Dr. Billy is a well-known, leading bariatric surgeon practicing in Ventura and Santa Barbara County, California. He has performed Lap-Band® since it was approved by the FDA in 2001. Dr. Billy is one of the leading Lap-Band® surgeons in the country and an active member of the Allergan Lap-Band® teaching faculty. Dr. Billy is currently director of Bariatric Surgery at St. John’s Regional Medical Center, a recognized bariatric Center of Excellence by the Surgery Review Committee, Medicare, Blue Cross, Blue Shield and Health Net.

The Lap Band, which helps patients feel fuller quicker and for longer, is the most popular method of gastric banding today. During surgery, a small, adjustable band is placed around the top of the patient’s stomach and then tightened to produce a small, golf ball-sized pouch atop the band. The pouch gives the patient a sensation of being full and slows down food’s passage into the digestive system. After surgery, patients can have the band’s girth adjusted to relieve or accelerate weight loss. This is done by adding saline solution to the band through a small port placed in the patient’s abdomen.

Dr. Billy maximizes his patient’s experience with the SPIDER® Surgical System. The SPIDER is an advancement in minimally invasive surgery that requires only one single incision, which is often shorter than an inch, and uses smaller, flexible instruments.

The Lap Band’s adjustability requires an intense, specific follow up protocol, and Dr. Billy’s office is well-equipped with an extensive pre- and post-op support staff. The team includes a board-certified pulmonologist, board-certified sleep medicine specialist, psychologist, registered dietician, certified physicians assistant, three certified bariatric nurses, a patient support facilitator, and BariStrong personal trainers to help patients along their journeys.

In addition to a highly qualified staff, the office offers dietary education classes, four monthly support groups, daily exercise classes, and easy access to nurses should a patient have a question or concern. For surgery related needs, Dr. Billy also offers a Tre Jolie MediSpa (http://trejoliemedispa.com/) which features the Cutera Laser System for skin tightening, brightening and rejuvenation, as well as hair removal and vein therapy. An onsite esthetician also offers facial treatments using PCA skin products.

To learn more about Dr. Billy’s weight loss surgery options or his practice, visit the website or become a fan on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dr-Billys-Office/7025508648...).

About Dr. Billy
Dr. Helmuth Billy is the leading Lap-Band and laparoscopic gastric bypass surgeon in Ventura County and has offices in Ventura, Thousand Oaks, Santa Maria and Tahoe. Dr. Billy was instrumental in developing the bariatric surgery centers at St. John’s Regional Medical Center, Sutter General Hospital and Sutter Roseville Medical Centers. He has been a featured speaker at the annual meeting of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and has lectured internationally in Australia, France, Italy and Mexico. Dr. Billy was a contributing author on the recently released SAGES Bariatric Surgery Manual published by the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons.