Surgical Prayers
As surgeons, we are trained to identify and treat diseases that are only cured by surgery. These necessary and sometimes drastic treatments are only possible because of your body's ability to heal itself. (it is not as much about us as it is about you!)
Healing is influenced by a person's overall health which in turn is related to his/her physical status, mental attitudes and spiritual nature.
We acknowledge that we are instruments in the process but not the source of healing. We ask for daily spiritual guidance in our work. As part of this effort, we have developed a partnering relationship with the Sisters of St. Gertrude, a monastery in Cottonwood, Idaho. We feel that their prayers are a powerful and positive way in which we can help improve our patients surgical outcomes. If you are interested in having your name submitted for a prayer of healing during your upcoming surgery, please click here
OUR BELIEFS Note from the Director
Welcome to Surgical Bariatrics Northwest!
Before we begin our new journey together, I would like to tell you a bit about myself, what I believe in, and why I am interested in you and your problem of obesity.
I am from the Midwest, born to loving parents and part of a family of five children. Obesity is part of our family genetics and is a familiar struggle. I have seen the devastating effects on my family members.
I know that no one chooses to be obese, have limited physical capabilities, be discriminated against, and die prematurely. I believe that obesity is a disease that is primarily governed by a person's genetic makeup and is not a result of laziness. The hardest working, kindest people in my life have taught me this. I believe that you, and people like you, deserve help in your struggle to lead healthy, fulfilling and long lives.
As I have matured as a surgeon, it has becoming glaringly evident that many, if not most, of the diseases I treat have a direct link to an underlying problem of obesity gallbladder, heartburn, colon cancer, hernias, breast lumps, etc. All of these conditions have a higher prevalence in obese patients, and the obesity factor always makes the surgical treatments more risky and the outcomes less reliable. I have been very frustrated trying to treat the superficial condition when the real problem is the underlying disease of obesity.
Born out of this frustration was a search for something better. I believe that "that something better" is the modern surgical approach to morbid obesity. This approach utilizes minimally invasive laparoscopic surgical techniques to perform surgeries that have been in existence for more than 25 years. Our system provides you with an experienced surgical team and comprehensive care in the areas of medical monitoring, psychiatric support, individual nutritional counseling, and exercise physiology. We are fortunate to have developed this type of treatment program.
I hope our organization can be of service to you. Our team is knowledgeable, skilled, enthusiastic, and prepared to serve with experience you can rely on.
John L. Pennings, M.D. FACS,
Program Director,
Surgical Bariatrics Northwest