Jefferson Hospital’s Growing Bariatric Program Moves to Spacious New Location, Now Part of AHN Bariatric & Metabolic Institute
JEFFERSON HILLS, PA (PRWEB) January 08, 2018 -- Jefferson Hospital’s rapidly expanding bariatric program has moved to a spacious new off-site location that allows it to better serve people in the South Hills of Pittsburgh, lower Mon Valley, and surrounding communities who are struggling with obesity. With the move, the growing program – conveniently based at 810 Clairton Boulevard, Suite 400, less than 2 miles north of the hospital along Rt. 51 North – is now part of the Allegheny Health Network (AHN) Bariatric & Metabolic Institute.
Jefferson’s program features Tunc Aksehirli, MD, a bariatric and general surgeon, as well as Madhusudan Menon, MD, a primary care physician who is board certified in Obesity Medicine. The public is invited to meet the doctors and other clinical staff, tour the new location, and watch the program’s nutritionist prepare healthy-eating options in the on-site kitchen during an open house Tuesday, January 9th from 4 to 7 p.m.
“Our program uses a team-based approach,” explained Dr. Aksehirli. “It’s a multi-disciplinary group that features medical specialists – including surgeons, primary care physicians, endocrinologists, and psychiatrists – plus diabetes educators, dietitians, and nutritionists. Combating obesity is not just weight-loss surgery; it requires an entire lifestyle change and being more conscious about the choices one makes when it comes to eating, exercise, and healthy living.”
“We work with our patients to develop customized treatment plans so they can experience a gradual, healthy weight loss,” said Dr. Menon, “and get the ongoing support and encouragement they need in the months and years ahead to keep the weight off and stay healthy.”
Patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more who visit the AHN Bariatric & Metabolic Institute at Jefferson would first go to an informational seminar to learn about the program and then have a consultation meeting with Dr. Aksehirli. Together, they would decide which form of bariatric surgery would be best for the patient. Options include the vertical sleeve gastrectomy, as well as traditional procedures such as Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery and laparoscopic gastric banding.
Once a surgery option is selected, patients meet with a nutritionist and a psychiatrist before going through 3 to 6 months of medically managed weight loss prior to the surgery in order to ensure they are best prepared for surgery. The patient is then seen 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and then annually after the procedure.
“Studies have shown that significantly overweight patients, even if they lose weight without bariatric surgery, will end up gaining the weight back – and sometimes adding even more – 95 percent of the time within 6 months,” said George Eid, MD, System Director, AHN Bariatric & Metabolic Institute. “But the approach we take with bariatric surgery, as well as the pre- and post-operative care our team provides, can truly be life-changing for our patients – physically, emotionally, and socially. Patients often tell us, ‘I’m living again.’ They feel better and they’re happier.”
More importantly, Dr. Aksehirli noted, “Not only can bariatric surgery improve their quality of life, it also can prevent or help to reduce numerous serious health issues associated with obesity. This can include heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, sleep apnea, and various bone and joint problems.”
For more information about the AHN Bariatric & Metabolic Institute at Jefferson, call 412.650.1170.
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About Jefferson Hospital
Jefferson Hospital, a part of Allegheny Health Network (AHN), is a full-service inpatient facility located in Jefferson Hills that serves the South Hills of Pittsburgh, the lower Mon Valley, and surrounding communities. Featuring a medical staff of nearly 400 physicians covering more than 40 health care specialties, the hospital provides comprehensive inpatient and outpatient surgical services, and emergency care. It features a Cardiovascular Institute, Cancer Institute, Orthopaedic Institute, Bariatric & Metabolic Institute, Women and Infants Center, Women’s Diagnostic Center, Sleep Disorders Center, and Wound Care Center among other services. Jefferson Hospital also includes the Bethel Park Health + Wellness Pavilion as well as several outpatient, primary care, and therapy sites across the South Hills and neighboring areas.
About the Allegheny Health Network
Allegheny Health Network (AHN.org), a Highmark Health company, is an integrated healthcare delivery system serving the greater Western Pennsylvania region. The Network is composed of eight hospitals, including Allegheny General Hospital, its flagship academic medical center in Pittsburgh, Allegheny Valley Hospital in Natrona Heights, Canonsburg Hospital in Canonsburg, Forbes Hospital in Monroeville, Jefferson Hospital in Jefferson Hills, Saint Vincent Hospital in Erie, West Penn Hospital in Pittsburgh and Westfield Memorial Hospital in Westfield, NY. The Network provides patients with access to a complete spectrum of advanced medical services, including nationally recognized programs for primary and emergency care, cardiovascular disease, cancer care, orthopedic surgery, neurology and neurosurgery, women’s health, diabetes and more. It also is home to a comprehensive research institute; Health + Wellness Pavilions; an employed physician organization, home and community based health services and a group purchasing organization. The Network employs approximately 17,000 people, has more than 2,800 physicians on its medical staff and serves as a clinical campus for Drexel University College of Medicine, Temple University School of Medicine, and the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Doug Braunsdorf, Allegheny Health Network, +1 412-522-7112, [email protected]
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