Approximately 41.9%* of Americans are considered obese, and obesity-related conditions such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer are among the leading causes of preventable, premature death.
We understand that weight loss isn’t one-size-fits-all. That’s why we remain focused, not just on what patients lose, but what they gain. Our multidisciplinary bariatric services include surgical and medical weight loss care teams working collaboratively with dieticians, nurses, insurance coordinators, and psychologists to ensure successful, safe, quality care at every step of a patient's weight loss journey.
Kentucky Bariatric Institute is a leader in advanced and compassionate care for your patients. We offer a broad spectrum of adult cardiac care, maintain high levels of training for all hospital personnel, offer consistent care for every patient and continually seek to improve our processes and procedures, ensuring the most up-to-date, evidence-based care.
Weight Loss Surgery is most successful for patients who meet the following criteria:
Also, Bariatric Surgery is covered by MANY insurance policies. See our complete service listing below:
Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass |
Gastric Sleeve |
|
This is the most common type of bariatric surgery. During this type of procedure, part of the stomach is separated from the rest of the stomach and closed off with staples to create a smaller pouch, resulting in less calorie absorption. Patients also have a greater sense of satisfaction with less food. The surgery results in less production of ghrelin, a hormone that may be partly responsible for making you feel hungry. |
Gastric sleeve surgery is a restrictive type of procedure that permanently reduces the size of the stomach, thereby limiting food intake as well as the sensation of hunger. The smaller stomach size restricts the amount of food that can be eaten, so patients lose weight by eating fewer calories. This procedure also impacts the production of ghrelin.
|
Gastric Band Repairs or Removal |
Revisional and Conversion Procedures |
| Our services do not currently include new gastric band surgeries, but we do repair or remove previous lap band procedures.
|
A revision is a minimally invasive surgical option to modify or correct a previous bariatric surgery. There may be instances where some patients may need revision surgery for limited weight loss, weight regain, unresolved medical conditions, or complications. A conversion procedure replaces a previous bariatric surgery with a different procedure. Examples include replacing a Lap-band with a gastric sleeve or to a gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy conversion to gastric bypass, especially in patients with insufficient weight loss, severe reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). |
Kentucky Bariatric Institute provides comprehensive weight-loss services with proven outcomes for patients from across the region.
Dr. Smith is a board-certified general, bariatric and robotic surgeon who has been in practice since 2006.
Dr. Smith's Expertise
 |
 |
 |
Kentucky Bariatric Institute (KBI) is pleased to welcome Sarah Hayek, MD, MEd to Georgetown and central Kentucky communities. Dr. Hayek will expand the bariatric program’s availability by offering robotic bariatric surgery and a number of general surgery procedures. Dr. Hayek completed medical school at Geisinger Commonwealth in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and completed residency in general surgery with an additional year in surgical education research at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Pennsylvania. She has been a practicing surgeon for over two years with experience and training in general and bariatric robotic surgeries.
Heather Pile is a 2000 graduate of The University of Kentucky College of Allied Health Sciences and a certified physician assistant. She also graduated Cum Laude from Eastern Kentucky University in 1997 with a BS in Mathematics. She has practiced as a physician assistant in bariatrics since 2011. Prior to entering the field of bariatric surgery, she practiced 12 years in occupational medicine. She is a member of the Kentucky Academy of Physician Assistants (KAPA) and the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA). She is Involved in patient management both pre-operatively and post-operatively. She is here to assist you in your weight loss journey.
In December of 2021, E. Allen Sizemore, DNP, APRN, NP-C, joined Kentucky Bariatric Institute (then Georgetown Bariatrics & Advanced Surgical Services) as one of our experienced and dedicated midlevels. He is originally from Hyden, which is located in Leslie County, Kentucky. Allen received his undergraduate and graduate nursing degrees from Eastern Kentucky University and his doctoral degree from Vanderbilt University. Allen pursued his degrees in nursing because of the healthcare disparities in the Appalachian region where he is from. He completed his doctoral thesis on COPD, but it wasn’t until he started practicing in family medicine that he became interested in bariatrics. In his 13 years of experience in primary care, he has supported patients in starting their journey as well as after weight loss surgery. He also has years of experience helping patients with medical weight loss. Seeing the patients’ health transformations encouraged him to seek a position helping patients with the surgical weight loss process, which led him to Kentucky Bariatric Institute.
Anne-Margaret Brown is the newest nurse practitioner to join the KBI team. She specializes in medication management, personalized plans, medical assessments, and nutritional guidance. In addition, she provides physical activity recommendations, education and empowerment, and monitoring and follow-up for weight loss patients.
Susan Nutter is a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner. She completed her education at Northern Kentucky University. Addressing the psychological aspects of weight loss surgery is essential for holistic care, ensuring patients receive the support they need to achieve and maintain their health goals.
Mary is a registered dietitian who graduated from the University of Kentucky with a BS in Dietetics in 1991. She brings over 12 years of experience at the Kentucky Bariatric Institute. She specializes in providing nutrition support to bariatric patients, helping them achieve their health and wellness goals. She has experience in both inpatient and outpatient settings as well as other areas of the bariatric process including insurance and management.
Her background includes working in physical rehabilitation for individuals with spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, strokes, and pulmonary conditions. While she has experience managing diabetes, her true passion lies in supporting the bariatric population, where she can make a significant impact on their journey to improved health. She is dedicated to utilizing evidence-based practices to develop personalized nutrition plans that empower her patients and foster long-term success.
Lyndsay Dixon is the newest Registered Dietitian Nutritionist to join the KBI team and brings a wealth of expertise to our community. She earned her Associates degree from Vincennes University in 2007, followed by a Bachelor’s of Science degree from Indiana State University in 2010. With a passion for promoting healthy lifestyles, Lyndsay specializes in weight management, diabetes, heart disease, and general nutrition.
Her diverse background spans long-term care, acute/critical care, and outpatient settings. Lyndsay is dedicated to empowering individuals through informed nutrition and education. Additionally, she has been honored as a Kentucky Colonel, a testament to her commitment to service and excellence.
Becky Thompson, RN
Robin Beckman, LPN
Dianah Vance, Clinical Staff
Rachel Reeves, Clinical Staff
Melanie Faircloth, CMA, Insurance Coordinator
Jennifer Morris, Insurance Coordinator
Kandace Young, Insurance Coordinator
Darla Schreiber, Intake Coordinator
Kim Adams, Referral and EGD Scheduler
Becky Chandler, Lead Coordinator
Joanna Smith, Surgery Scheduler
Carrie Jo Strong, Surgery Scheduler
Sherry Borman, Float
Marilyn Florence, Front Desk Clerk
Georgetown Community Hospital is dedicated to providing patients throughout our region with access to the latest in innovative surgical procedures and technologies. We offer comprehensive surgical care and robotic-assisted surgery with shorter lengths of recovery and lower rates of infection for your patients.
Most bariatric surgeries are performed using the da Vinci Xi Surgical Robot. The surgeon is 100% in control of the robotic-assisted system. The robotic surgical system has a 3D high definition (3D-HD) vision system, special instruments and computer software that allow your surgeon to operate with enhanced vision, precision, dexterity and control. The 3D-HD image can be magnified up to 10 times so your surgeon has a close-up view of the area he or she is operating on. The robotic instruments have mechanical wrists that bend and rotate to mimic the movements of the human wrist -- allowing your surgeon to make small, precise movements inside your body. And robotic software can minimize the effects of a surgeon's hand tremors on instrument movements. The robotic surgical system is an effective, minimally invasive alternative to both open surgery and laparoscopy.
1002 Lexington Road, Suite 25-B
Georgetown, KY 40324
502.882.0764
