(Photo provided with release)
Wexford, PA – Allegheny Health Network (AHN)’s Bariatric and Metabolic Institute is now offering bariatric surgery services at AHN Wexford Hospital. Patients living in communities north of Pittsburgh now have convenient access to one of the region’s most experienced teams providing a range of advanced medical and surgical weight loss solutions.
AHN’s team of highly trained specialists includes board-certified bariatric surgeons, endocrinologists, dieticians, psychologists, nurses and anesthesiologists. Together, these clinicians create tailored solutions targeted at each patient’s unique health needs, including weight loss and managing diabetes.
“Our multidisciplinary team of providers understands the physical and emotional impacts of obesity,” said George Eid, MD, chair of AHN’s Bariatric and Metabolic Institute. “No matter where a patient is in their weight loss journey, we’re here to help them reach their health goals.”
Obesity in America is approaching epidemic proportions with more than two-thirds of adults in the United States considered overweight or obese, according to the CDC. Bariatric surgeries are among the most common elective surgeries in the U.S., with nearly 300,000 performed in 2020, according to the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.
AHN Wexford patients have many options available to treat obesity and its complications. Some of the options include laparoscopic gastric bypass and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. Unlike traditional surgeries, a laparoscopic approach uses several small incisions instead of one large one. This minimally invasive technique means smaller scars and faster healing time. Gastric bypass surgery reroutes food past most of the stomach and part of the small intestine and creates a small pouch that restricts food intake. The combination reduces the amount of nutrients the body takes in, which leads to weight loss. The sleeve gastrectomy is a restrictive procedure that removes two-thirds of the stomach to decrease appetite and help patients feel fuller sooner.
Certain patients may be candidates for an endoscopic bariatric procedure. These procedures are less invasive and incisionless, as they are performed using a small, flexible scope inserted through the patient’s mouth, and work by significantly reducing a patient’s stomach volume or altering other parts of the digestive tract to treat obesity and other metabolic diseases.
Dr. Eid and his partner, Michael “Logan” Rawlins, MD, are two of the country’s most experienced bariatric surgeons, having completed thousands of cases combined throughout their careers.
After bariatric surgery, many patients experience improved confidence, energy and overall physical and mental health. Bariatric surgery can improve diabetes, heartburn, heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, joint pain and respiratory disorders. Many patients can also begin to discontinue medications that they have been taking for extended periods once their weight is appropriately managed.
Substantial weight loss – whether through bariatric surgery or medical solutions – also lessens the risk of COVID-19 related complications, Dr. Eid said.
“Bariatric surgery is a life-changing and life-saving solution for many people who are experiencing the adverse health effects of morbid obesity,” said Allan Klapper, MD, president, AHN Wexford Hospital. “We are extremely excited to now offer this highly advanced surgical capability through Dr. Eid and his team to the communities we serve as part of our broader weight loss services.”
AHN Wexford opened its doors to patients last September. The 345,000-square-foot facility features a 22-bed emergency department, state-of-the-art operating rooms with minimally invasive robotic surgery capabilities, a labor & delivery unit, a hybrid OR for advanced surgical procedures, short-stay observation unit, adult intensive care unit, advanced diagnostic imaging, and more.
The AHN Bariatric and Metabolic Institute offers informational sessions at no cost, where patients can meet providers and learn about medical weight loss and surgical options. To find a nearby session, patients should call 412-DOCTORS.