Bariatric Clinic Blog

Published: 02 July 2020 Written by George R. Merriman II, MD

First Robotic Bariatric Surgeon in the Christus Health System

Dr. Merriman was the first surgeon in the Christus Health System Network nationally to perform robotic bariatric surgery.

Published: 02 August 2019 Written by George R. Merriman II, MD

The Risks of Living with Long Term Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Reflux is caused by weak muscles in the esophagus called the LES (Lower Esophageal Sphincter.) The LES is the tool which acts as a barrier for stopping stomach acid from rising back up into the esophagus or throat.

Published: 14 June 2019 Written by George R. Merriman II, MD

Eat Less-Exercise More is a Lie for the Morbidly Obese

Especially for those who are obese (BMI 35-39) or Morbidly Obese (BMI of 40+) this concept of just needed to push away from the table - or eat less and exercise more is in fact a cruel lie. Those with this complex disease have multiple factors including genetics and

Published: 22 March 2019 Written by George R. Merriman II, MD

Revolutionary LINX Device for Reflux

Many patients suffer with uncontrolled Reflux or GERD. Many are on daily medications and still don't have adequate control of their symptoms.

Long term Reflux, even when controlled by medications, can still cause devastating effects to the esophagus, including in the worst case, cancer. If you are concerned about your Reflux, the new LINX device may be the tool you need

Published: 06 May 2019 Written by George R. Merriman II, MD

Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery For Weight Loss

Obesity is a chronic and highly complex disease. The Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy, often called "the Sleeve" for short, is one of the most popular surgeries chosen today and is a powerful tool for the fight against obesity, not only for its restrictive results in the reduction of the stomach, but also in the changes to hormone and brain messaging that occurs with the surgery.

Published: 22 March 2019 Written by George R. Merriman II, MD

LapBand with Plication Surgery for Weight Loss!

The LapBand procedure can be made even more effective for some patients with the addition of the Plication procedure, which is basically a pleating of the stomach.

Published: 22 March 2019 Written by George R. Merriman II, MD

Advances in the Treatment of Obesity

Dr. George R. Merriman II Answers Important Questions

What is the biggest change in the treatment that you have seen over the life of your 30 year career?

Currently, the biggest change lies in our understanding that the basis of the obesity problem is not what we thought. When I started my training in the early 1980s, I was taught that a gastric bypass was curative of morbid obesity. We had a woefully inadequate understanding of the problem.

Published: 20 March 2019 Written by George R. Merriman II, MD

What is Bariatric Revision Surgery

Weight Loss Surgery – When is it time to consider a Revision?

By George R. Merriman II, MD, FACS, FASMBS

What is Bariatric Revision Surgery?

A bariatric “revisional” surgery is a procedure correcting a complication of a prior bariatric weight loss surgery and/or modifying a prior bariatric surgery to reestablish its effectiveness as a metabolic and weight loss tool.