Dr. Robert Ward O'Rourke, MD is a surgeon in Ann Arbor, MI specializing in surgery. He graduated from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), David Geffen School of Medicine in 1993 and has 32 years of experience. Dr. Robert Ward O'Rourke, MD is affiliated with U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and University of Michigan Health.
University of Michigan Health
Weight Loss Surgery (Bariatric Surgery)
Bariatric or weight-loss surgery is a surgical procedure performed to help significantly obese patients lose weight when more traditional methods, such as dieting and exercise, have not helped. Depending on the type, these surgeries change the gastrointestinal tract to limit how much food can be eaten and also change how food is absorbed by the body. Of the various bariatric surgeries available, the most common is gastric bypass.
By far the most common of the gastric bypass surgeries is called Roux-en-Y. During this surgery, part of the stomach and small intestine are detached from the gastrointestinal tract, in order to make the tract smaller. The surgeon divides the stomach into two parts. The working stomach, at the end of the esophagus, is now tiny - only the size of a walnut. This makes patients feel full after eating a small amount of food. Then the small intestine is also divided, and after bypassing a section of the small intestine to reduce food absorption, the intestine is attached to the small stomach pouch. The patient now has a working stomach and intestine like before, only much smaller.
Because gastric bypass is used to treat extreme obesity, it can reduce the risk of some of the problems associated with obesity. Gastric bypass can help treat or reduce the risk for such conditions as heart disease, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and type 2 diabetes. However, it is a major surgery and also carries risks itself. Any surgery can lead to infection, bleeding, or blood clots, and weight loss surgery in particular carries risks of leaks in the gastrointestinal system, malnutrition, bowel obstructions, and vomiting.
Typically patients are considered candidates for gastric bypass surgery if they have a BMI greater than 40, or sometimes if they have a BMI between 35 and 40 but are suffering from obesity-related illnesses such as diabetes. The outlook is generally good, with most patients losing between 50-75% of their excess weight in 1-2 years. However, patients must follow strict diet guidelines so that the stomach can heal, starting with no food at all, then followed by a liquid diet for some time. For many severely obese patients who have tried strict diets before without success, gastric bypass surgery is the tool that allows them to finally achieve their weight loss and health goals.
The most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Robert Ward O'Rourke, MD treated during 2013 were diabetes, hypertension, depression and high cholesterol.
| Hypertension | |
|---|---|
| High Cholesterol | |
| Stroke | |
| Ischemic Heart Disease | |
| Depression | |
| Chronic Kidney Disease | |
| Asthma | |
| Osteoperosis | |
| Atrial Fibrilation | |
| Heart Failure | |
| Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease | |
| Diabetes | |
| Dementia | |
| Cancer |
The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Robert Ward O'Rourke, MD treated were diabetes, hypertension, depression and high cholesterol.
| Hypertension | |
|---|---|
| High Cholesterol | |
| Stroke | |
| Ischemic Heart Disease | |
| Depression | |
| Chronic Kidney Disease | |
| Asthma | |
| Osteoporosis | |
| Heart Failure | |
| Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease | |
| Diabetes | |
| Atrial Fibrillation | |
| Cancer | |
| Dementia |
Dr. Robert Ward O'Rourke, MD graduated from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), David Geffen School of Medicine in 1993. He completed residency at University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Affiliated Hospitals. He is certified by the Board Certification: Surgery and has a state license in Oregon.
Medical School: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), David Geffen School of Medicine (1993)
Residency: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Affiliated Hospitals (2001)
Board Certification: Board Certification: Surgery
Licensed In: Oregon
Dr. Robert Ward O'Rourke, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:
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Dr. Robert O'Rourke is a physician who specializes in surgery. Areas of expertise for Dr. O'Rourke include minimally invasive procedures, general surgery, and weight loss surgery (bariatric surgery). His hospital/clinic affiliations include the University of Michigan Health and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. He attended medical school at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), David Geffen School of Medicine. Dr. O'Rourke's residency was performed at a hospital affiliated with the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF).
