While some people embarked on home improvement projects during the coronavirus pandemic, many others took steps toward self-improvement, including investigating surgical weight loss options.
“There has been a heightened interest in bariatric surgery,” says Ajay Goyal, MD, FACS, FASMBS, medical director of bariatric surgery for Overlook Medical Center.
“Recent studies show people with obesity are more likely to be at risk of complications, hospitalized and end up in the ICU if diagnosed with COVID-19.”
In the past, patients interested in learning more about Overlook’s award-winning bariatric surgery program signed up to attend an informational seminar, held once or twice a month. “When the pandemic hit, we had to rethink our educational strategy, and we began offering live virtual webinars as well as taped online seminars, available 24/7,” says Muhammad Feteiha, MD, FACS, FASMBS, a bariatric and general surgeon, who serves as director of minimally invasive surgery for Overlook Medical Center. “These online resources proved to be much more convenient for prospective patients. It lowered the barrier to initiate the informational and evaluation process.”
Ranked among the top 5% of hospitals evaluated for bariatric surgery, Overlook offers a comprehensive approach to achieving substantial long-term weight loss. “Surgery is just one component,” says Dr. Goyal. “We offer psychological and nutritional counseling, exercise programs, and support groups that patients can access virtually. Despite the pandemic, we didn’t miss a beat in putting people on a path to better health. In fact, we streamlined the process by bringing the information they wanted directly into their homes.”
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Make an appointment with Dr. Feteiha or Dr. Goyal >