Sun Coast Bariatrics Announces NEW Resources for Bariatric Surgery Patients

SAINT PETERSBURG, Fla. - Sept. 17, 2014 - PRLog -- New Fluoroscope & da Vinci Robotic Surgery

The practice recently acquired a new Fluoroscope C-arm X-ray machine to perform in-office fluoroscopy imaging, obtaining real-time moving images of their patients’ internal organs.  Drinking contrast (dye) studies are conducted for band adjustments and to spot early complications before they become problems.  Seeing the moving images as band adjustments are being made helps patients connect the sensation to physical conditions, i.e., band too tight.

In November, 2013, HCA Largo Medical Center announced the availability of da Vinci Robotic Surgery for weight loss surgery procedures. Dr. Jessee performed Pinellas County’s first minimally invasive robotic surgery gastric sleeve procedure. Gastric sleeve surgery reduces the stomach to 15% of its size with no rerouting of the intestines as with gastric bypass surgery. In January of 2014, Dr. Jessee performed the first robotic bariatric lap band surgery in the State of Florida.

“With more people today wanting to lose weight and/or get off medications they’ve been on for life related to obesity comorbidities, the robot offers many benefits helping entice prospective patients,” said Dr. Jessee. “Benefits may include less blood loss, less pain, a faster recovery and reduced scarring.”

New E-Store & Online Seminars

Sun Coast Bariatrics launched their E-Store in June of this year to make complying with dietary restrictions and supplemental requirement a little more convenient. The online store is stocked with products to help weight loss surgery patients meet their nutrition needs from vitamins and protein powder to entrée meals, snacks and beverages.

The most recent addition to the website offerings is Online Seminars.  Sun Coast patients can now complete the weight loss surgery attendance requirement from the comfort of their homes.  Many times, attending an in-person seminar is not the best option. Geography can be a factor for people who live further away from the office. Transportation is another issue for people who rely on others for a ride. And people who are not ready to declare themselves as “obese” by attending an in-person seminar can get all the information they need in privacy.

New Physician’s Assistant

Juliet Summers, PA-C is a certified Physician Assistant, licensed in the state of Florida. She assists both Dr. Jessee and Dr. Ache in bariatric surgery and maintains her own clinic assisting pre and post-operative patients in achieving their weight loss goals.

Juliet is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the Florida Academy of Physician Assistants. She brings years of experience as a Surgical First Assist in general, obstetrics & gynecology, urologic, orthopedic, vascular, and robotic surgery.

A Florida native, Ms. Summers completed her undergraduate studies in Biomedical Science at the University of South Florida, Tampa. She graduated as Valedictorian in the Physician Assistant program and Master in Clinical Medical Science program from Barry University, Florida. Juliet was also inducted into the Pi Alpha National Honor Society for Physician Assistants.

About Tiffany Jessee, D.O., F.A.C.O.S:  Dr. Tiffany Jessee is one of the few Fellowship Trained Bariatric Surgeons in the state of Florida, having received additional highly specialized training in Bariatric surgery. She is also a Board Certified General Surgeon.

Dr. Jessee is the founder of Sun Coast Bariatrics (http://suncoastbariatrics.com) and has been performing bariatric surgery since 2002. In 2003, Dr. Jessee placed the first LAP-BAND® in Pinellas County. In 2010 she was the first bariatric surgeon in the world to place a LAP-BAND® with the single incision instrument called SPIDER and she completed the first Bariatric Robotic surgery in Pinellas County in November of 2013. Dr. Jessee continues to offer her patients both the LAP-BAND® and Realize™ Adjustable Gastric Banding systems as well as Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy.

About Robyn Ache, D.O:  Dr. Ache specializes in Advanced Laparoscopy and Bariatric Surgery, using both LAP-BAND® and Realize™ Adjustable Gastric Banding systems as well as performing Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy procedures. She is Board Eligible in General Surgery and a member of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons.

Born and raised in Tampa, Florida, Dr. Ache graduated from the College of Osteopathic Medicine at Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. She completed her General Surgery Residency at Largo Medical Center, where she was the Chief Surgical Resident. After completing her Fellowship in Bariatric and Laparoscopic Surgery, Dr. Ache joined Sun Coast Bariatrics in 2011 where she enjoys getting to know all of her patients and being a part of their weight loss journey.