(Anderson, S.C. – February 05, 2024) – January was National Weight Loss Awareness Month. Research shows that obesity is the most common chronic disease in the United States. While AnMed offers commonly known weight-loss surgery such as a gastric sleeve, it has added incisionless weight-loss options for those who qualify.
Dr. Suresh Khandekar of AnMed Gastroenterology Specialists has begun offering four endoscopic weight-loss choices–suturing, balloons and aspiration assistance–for patients who have been unsuccessful with diet and exercise. The suturing option includes endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty and endoscopic revision.
"Only one or two percent of people who need to lose weight to prevent diabetes, high blood pressure or medical conditions get surgery. That leaves many people with no option,” Dr. Khandekar said.
AnMed dietitian Christen King works with bariatric surgery patients before surgery and after to modify eating behaviors, determine whether they are actually hungry and finding coping mechanisms for stress or boredom other than eating.
Dr. Adam Beall, medical director of AnMed's weight-loss surgery program and a surgeon at Piedmont Surgical Associates, said doctors work with patients to determine which treatment is right for them. “We treat patients with a very individual approach,” he said.
All potential patients must attend a weight loss seminar where they will learn about the different weight-loss procedures. Before undergoing any procedure or surgery, a patient must undergo a psychological evaluation to make sure they understand everything about the process and is prepared to adopt a new lifestyle.
