AHN Bariatric and Metabolic Institute Comes to Wexford Hospital

Janice Lane Palko

Obesity is a serious health problem, and until recently you had to travel to West Penn or Allegheny General Hospitals for treatment. Allegheny Health Network’s Bariatric and Metabolic Institute is adding a new location to provide care closer to your home at AHN Wexford Hospital.

“Obesity is a complex disease, and it affects the health from head to toe,” said George M. Eid, MD and Chair of the Bariatric and Metabolic Institute. “We are happy to offer our excellent medical and surgical treatments to help you lose weight and take control of your health now in the North Hills,” said Dr. Eid.

To properly treat obesity, a team of health professionals is needed and AHN’s Bariatric and Metabolic Institute includes board-certified bariatric surgeons, who have many years of experience with complex procedures; endocrinologists; obesity medicine specialists; and dietitians, who specialize in helping people reach their weight and health goals, psychologists and other supportive care team members.

“At the Bariatric and Metabolic Institute, we are helping more people each year to reach and maintain their weight-loss surgery goals. Our experience and our ongoing research in bariatric surgery, obesity research, internal medicine, behavioral science and related fields help us provide the very best care in bariatric surgery,” said Dr. Eid.

The institute’s research has shown that bariatric surgery has many benefits in addition to the weight loss—from resolving diabetes, migraines, obstructive sleep apnea, asthma, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, GERD and mortality. In fact, 95% of bariatric patients say that the surgery has improved their quality of life. “Unfortunately, we also have learned that those who are obese face a greater risk when contracting COVID-19,” said Dr. Eid, “making that another reason for you to take control of your weight.”

The good news is that the Bariatric and Metabolic Institute has a nationally recognized reputation for delivering positive outcomes in bariatric surgery. Two types of surgery are offered at the Wexford Hospital: gastric bypass and gastric sleeve surgery.

Shaun Burke, AHN Bariatric Surgery Patient

During gastric bypass, a bariatric surgeon staples off part of the stomach, reducing its size to roughly 1 ounce and then divides the small intestine, attaching the bottom end of the small intestine to the newly created small stomach pouch and then connects the top portion of the divided small intestine to the small intestine further down, allowing for optimal digestion. Gastric bypass helps you lose weight in several ways: A smaller stomach helps you eat less in one sitting, translating to fewer calories consumed. Also, since part of the small intestine is bypassed, fewer calories are absorbed during digestion. Rerouting food also affects gut hormones in ways that help you to make you feel full longer and improve blood sugar control.

During gastric sleeve surgery, a bariatric surgeon staples off a large section of the stomach, creating a tube-like pouch that

resembles the shape of a banana. The surgeon then removes that portion of the stomach tissue (called the fundus) from the body.

Sleeve gastrectomy helps you lose weight in two main ways: A smaller stomach helps you eat less in one sitting, translating to fewer calories consumed. Research has shown that this procedure has a positive impact on gut hormones, helping you feel full longer and improving blood sugar control.

Both surgeries are done inpatient at the hospital and usually warrant only an overnight stay. “The surgeries are either performed laparoscopically or robotically,” said Dr. Eid. “And we employ an expedited care program that helps you to recover faster, and which supports you as you adjust and lose weight.”

You may qualify for bariatric surgery if you have a body mass index (BMI) of 35 and one or more weight-related conditions such as high blood pressure, sleep apnea or type 2 diabetes or if your BMI alone is 40 or above.

To learn more about our services and to take our weight-loss surgery quiz, visit ahn.org/weightloss

www.northernconnectionmag.com | FEBRUARY 2022 17