LUHS opens multidisciplinary center to treat obesity

Loyola University Health System (LUHS) will open a multidisciplinary center to treat obesity today, Tuesday, July 10. The new Loyola Center for Metabolic Surgery & Bariatric Care is located at 719 W. North Ave.in Melrose Park.

"The new Loyola center will offer patients with weight-related health issues the expertise of a full team of bariatric specialists including surgeons, physicians, psychologists, nutritionists and exercise physiologists," said Bipan Chand, MD, FACS, FASMBS, FASGE, director of the new center. "The Loyola program features a tailored approach of treatment that can include surgical and non-surgical weight-loss options." The Loyola program helps address a wide variety of obesity-related health problems, including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and cancer.

The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery estimates that approximately 72 million people are obese in the United States and 200,000 people have bariatric surgery each year. Obesity led to some $147 billion in medical costs, according to a 2008 research study.

"For most patients suffering from obesity, losing weight is truly a lifesaver. It adds years to lives, eliminates or reduces many chronic conditions and improves quality of life," Chand said. "Bariatric surgery is an excellent medical solution for many but we have several options in the weight-loss toolbox at Loyola."

Surgical procedures offered by the new Loyola Metabolic Surgery & Bariatric Center include laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and also laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.

"Patients also may be candidates for our non-surgical program that works one-on-one to provide individualized care to help them make lifelong changes in diet and behavior," said Chand, who was recruited from the Cleveland Clinic. He has performed more than 2,000 bariatric surgeries and helped hundreds of patients to lose weight permanently. "At Loyola, we partner closely with patients to carefully identify which weight-loss option is best for them based on their individual medical and psychological criteria."