Dr. Umbach is a nationally recognized, board-certified and fellowship-trained bariatric surgeon. He’s been recognized as one of the nation’s top bariatric surgeons by Newsweek and Time magazines. Dr. Umbach’s other notable achievements include being named New Economy Best Health Care Consultants for 2013 and 2014, Best Bariatrics Surgeon for 2014 and Best Medical Tourism Provider for 2012 and 2013. He was also named as one of the best Weight Loss Management Physicians for 2011, 2012 and 2013 by U.S. Commerce Association.
Why did you enter the field of Bariatrics?
Bariatrics has always been my passion. My practice is 100 percent devoted to helping obese clients achieve healthier lifestyles. It brings me great pleasure to see my clients shed their excess weight and enjoy the simple pleasures of life again—playing with their children or grandchildren, riding a roller coaster for the first time or dating.
I understand you develop a close relationship with your clients.
I offer my clients my personal cell phone number and an offer to call me anytime, day or night. I want my clients to be able to reach me 24/7 with any questions or concerns they have before surgery and for as long after surgery as they feel they need me. Most of them are amazed when I hand them my cell phone number and even more amazed when I answer their calls and treat them as friends.
Keith Doerksen of Morden, Man., said he has lost about 150 pounds since he underwent vertical sleeve gastrectomy in January 2011. Doerksen reached out to Blossom Bariatrics after being rejected for provincial pilot program. Doerksen said life has been transformed since he underwent a weight-loss surgical procedure that he paid for himself. Doerksen had struggled with his weight since elementary school and tried many ways to shed the pounds. He weighed in about 360 pounds before the surgery.
What services do you offer?
I offer gastric banding, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, gastric sleeve resection and revisional surgery. I use special protocols to achieve exceptional pain control for my clients, which increases their comfort.
I also feature comprehensive pre- and post-surgical programs. My pre-surgical program is aimed at maximizing client safety and increasing their chances for excellent surgical results. My post-surgical programs include nutrition (Blossom Bites) and fitness (Blossom Bodies) counseling, support groups (Blossom Buddies) to help them adjust to life after bariatric surgery and psychological and emotional counseling (Blossom Beauty) to help empower them toward a better quality of life.
What can someone expect when they first walk into your office?
Visiting clients can relax and enjoy the warm, friendly atmosphere at Blossom Bariatrics with my team taking as much time as clients need to feel comfortable.
We are dedicated at all levels to care for the bariatric client. This commitment includes an exclusive center of excellence physician medical director, a Certified Bariatric nurse coordinator, specialized operating room facilities, exclusive bariatric client rooms and a dedicated nursing staff.
What preparation is needed for this type of surgery?
Preparation for weight loss surgery involves multiple steps. After the initial informational seminar, clients meet directly with me. At this comprehensive evaluation, each client will receive an individualized list of tasks to complete. Clients will then meet with their registered dieticians for an hour evaluation. Additional dietary education will include a three hour class covering the basics of nutrition and successful eating habits.
