Meet Surgical Pioneer Dr. James Kane, Sr.

When Dr. James M. Kane, Sr., first went to work at Cook County Hospital in Chicago, Ill. as a teaching-and-attending surgeon (1958), he treated countless patients for diseases that could have been prevented. Many of these diseases resulted from obesity and the illnesses related to obesity like high blood pressure, heart disease, and of course, type II diabetes.

It was an especially dark era for the obese. Excessive weight made the obese easy targets for discrimination and ridicule. As time went by in society, it became illegal to discriminate on the basis of race, creed, sex or religion-but it was still open season on the obese. Within the walls of that urban hospital, Dr. Kane noticed that some of his own colleagues chastised their patients for their weight, not fully understanding at that time that obesity was a disease, or its nature. They put complete blame and condemnation on the patient for his deteriorating health condition. He also became painfully aware that most general physicians don't know where to even begin to solve the key issues of the morbidly obese, not to mention the myriad of illnesses that can accompany obesity.

Obesity: A Painful World Of Exile

Today, many obese people live in a forced exile of shame. The obese experience challenges with some of life's simple activities, like sitting comfortably in a restaurant booth, fitting in an airplane seat, and walking normal distances. Obesity can interrupt career progression, promotions and bonuses, with advancements going to the more attractive. In very real ways, the obese were, and still are, society's new untouchables. It's not uncommon for obese people to hide behind closed blinds or drawn curtains leaving the house only when absolutely necessary.

This is the world that Dr. Kane experienced day after day. These were the people he got to know, and the people his heart went out to. He began to understand their unique needs and hopes. Obese men and women want desperately to have a normal existence. So often they have tried every diet available to them. They've even experienced success, only to gain the weight back. This vicious cycle is discouraging and very harsh on the body.

Dr. Kane: Determined To Find Weight-Surgery Solutions

Dr. Kane knew that if morbidly obese men and women could lose weight, their worlds would be completely changed; they would gain the freedom to live. He investigated weight-loss surgery options. From numerous bowel surgeries for cancer and other disease-related issues, he had noted that overweight patients lost weight and keep it off because there was less intestine to absorb food calories. Still, this was considered exploratory research, and hospitals were hesitant to embrace it. But the knowledge of his practice of this procedure launched Dr. Kane on a four-decade journey of improving and perfecting weight-loss surgery for the morbidly obese. He was completely determined to give the obese a fighting chance against this disease.

Alexian Brothers: A Compassionate Response To A Compelling Need

He continued to research the implications of the surgery and sought ways to make it more universally acceptable as a weight-loss procedure. A successful track record of medical data and personal testimonies was proving increasingly encouraging. Dr. Kane approached Alexian Brothers Hospital with his findings and, not surprisingly, received a compassionate hearing.

The Alexian Brothers Order was founded primarily to be a healing ministry of the Roman Catholic Church. For seven centuries, the Alexian Brothers had cared for the sick, the aged, the poor and the dying, especially the marginalized and the powerless in the communities they serve. At Alexian Brothers, Dr. Kane shared his vision with Brother Phillip Kennedy. Having listened carefully and thoughtfully to Dr. Kane's presentation, he said, "If the morbidly obese need extreme care and no one is meeting that need, then Alexian Brothers is where they should come." With this statement, Alexian Brothers became one of the first hospitals in the nation to actively support and promote the research, study, and innovative procedures of bariatric surgery.

Visionary Physicians Advance The Search For Surgical Solutions

Through one of his residents, Dr. Kane learned of Dr. Mason at the University of Iowa and his innovative work in the field of bariatric surgery. Dr. Kane connected with this "founding father" of weight-loss surgery, and together, they studied and worked with other visionary pioneers like Dr. Ceaser Gomez and his partner, Dan Fabito, who allowed Dr. Kane to observe their innovative new procedures and to share in their innovative surgical instruments and clamps, designed specifically for larger patients.

Eventually, Dr. Kane, Dr. Mason and other gifted visionary medical professionals formed the American Society for Bariatric Surgery–surgeons committed to researching and perfecting weight-loss surgery, which has grown in the last four decades to more than 1,000 members.

The Message Of Hope Spreads Worldwide

As word of Dr. Kane's advancements spread, he was asked to appear on the Phil Donahue Show. He had successfully performed weight-loss surgery on the mother of actors Jim and John Belushi, and she agreed to go on the program along with Dr. Kane. On the show, Dr. Kane brought a plastic model of a stomach and a staple gun and let Phil Donahue "perform" a mock bariatric surgery. After Dr. Kane's appearance on Donahue, word of a surgical procedure to help treat morbid obesity spread like wildfire. People from around the world called asking Dr. Kane to treat their morbid obesity with bariatric surgery. Real treatment and real hope were now a reality.

The Kane Center: Excellent Outcomes

Since its humble beginnings, Dr. Kane has performed more the 2,500 bariatric surgeries. He has helped hospitals around the world develop bariatric surgery programs. He has taught surgeons all over the world the importance of this surgical procedure, and, more importantly, about the post-surgical care, as well. The Kane Center, in partnership with Alexian Brothers Hospital, has one of the highest patient success rates and lowest mortality rates in the United States. This statistic cannot be underscored strongly enough. Operating on a morbidly obese patient is a very serious and complex surgery; there is higher risk for those who are excessively overweight, compared to that for an average-weight person. This is primarily because with morbid obesity comes a host of other illnesses (co-morbidities) that can place the patient at risk, especially for post-surgical complications. Alexian and the Kane Center have 40-plus years' experience and more than 8,000 weight-loss surgeries. Expert surgeons, including Dr. Kane's son, Dr. James Kane, Jr., meticulously tend to every detail during and following surgery. They anticipate and address the smallest signs of infection or threats to the patient's life. Patients can know that Alexian and the Kane Center will give them the absolute finest care possible.

Insurance Organizations Awaken To Weight-Loss Surgery's Benefits

Insurance companies, like Medicare among others, are opening their eyes to the need for this surgery and to the extraordinary benefits to the morbidly obese. Weight-loss surgery is, in fact, saving insurance companies and organizations millions of dollars each year on the co-morbidities of obesity, such as high blood pressure medication, type II diabetes treatments and medicines, joint stress, sleep apnea, and on other health issues.

A Personal Word To You From Dr. Kane

I've experienced an enormous amount of personal satisfaction from being a surgeon, but nothing has provided me with as much personal satisfaction as performing obesity surgery. Over my 40 years of bariatric surgery, I have witnessed firsthand some of the most incredible life transformations imaginable. I've performed weight-loss surgery on morbidly obese men and women whom other surgeons rejected for even common medical procedures for fear of the risks. I'm proud that the Kane Center along with Alexian has one of the highest patient success rates and lowest mortality rates in the United States.

Each patient is special to me—and to each member of our surgical team. We see lives completely transformed. The weight comes off, health conditions improve, and men and women learn to embrace their futures and all they hold.

The Kane Center and Alexian Brothers Hospital Network specializes in your particular needs. If you are obese, or morbidly obese, please let us help. Bariatric surgery provides one of the single best hopes for you to lose weight and to live a healthy life, free of the many diseases that put your life at risk. You can live a normal life and experience the everyday joys that have seemed beyond your reach. Let our team meet with you and discuss your situation. It would be our privilege to care for you and to restore your freedom to live.

Dr. James M. Kane, Sr.