America's Best Ambulatory Surgery Centers 2021
3 New Gastroenterology Center Openings
Here are three gastroenterology centers that have opened that Becker's has reported on since April 10:
1. Denver Digestive Health Specialists, a partner of GI Alliance, opened a new clinic in Arvada, Colo.
2. An ASC specializing in gastroenterology, colon-rectal procedures and pain management opened in Metairie, La.
3. Phoenix-based Arizona Digestive Health opened a new gastroenterology clinic and endoscopy center in Tucson, Ariz.
Woman Says She Lost 60 Pounds After Undergoing Experimental Weight Loss Procedure
Brooke Nelson said she was over 200 pounds and struggling to lose weight when she decided to take part in a clinical trial of a new, minimally-invasive weight loss procedure.
Within six months of the procedure, Nelson said she had lost over 20 pounds and changed how she thinks about food.
"The constant just wanting of food has drastically decreased," Nelson told "Good Morning America." "There's still moments where I want a chocolate chip cookie, but there's a lot more moments when I find myself wanting something like greens."
The procedure Nelson underwent is called endoscopic ablation, which the lead author of the clinical trial, Dr. Christopher McGowan, says targets ghrelin, the so-called "hunger hormone."
Brooke Nelson told "Good Morning America" she's lost over 20 pounds since undergoing a new minimally invasive weight loss procedure.
Courtesy of Brooke Nelson
According to McGowan, an obesity medicine, internal medicine, and gastroenterology specialist, the procedure involves inserting a camera into the patient's stomach while fluids are administered to protect the underlying stomach tissue.
Then, a tiny device ablates, or burns, the lining of the upper portion of the stomach that produces ghrelin, a hormone that plays a role in everything from telling your brain you are hungry to inhibiting insulin secretion and helping your body store fat.
MORE: A look at bariatric surgeryThe clinical trial of the procedure that Nelson took part in has shown sustained weight loss and decreased appetite for patients, according to McGowan, founder of True You Weight Loss in Cary, North Carolina.
"We do have patients who are a year or more beyond their initial procedure, and what we are seeing is that they continue to have a diminishment, decrease in hunger [and] continue to report greater control over eating," McGowan told "GMA," adding that trial participants, on average, reduced their overall weight by 7%.
Brooke Nelson told "Good Morning America" she's lost over 20 pounds since undergoing a new minimally invasive weight loss procedure.
Courtesy of Brooke Nelson
McGowan said one benefit of endoscopic ablation is that it is a minimally invasive procedure.
Currently, patients who need surgical intervention for obesity have the option of bariatric surgery, different types of which work by making changes to the digestive system, including reducing the size of the stomach, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
MORE: Barbra Streisand publicly asks Melissa McCarthy about Ozempic, sparking debate on weight and shamingBariatric surgery is typically considered an option for adults who "have a body mass index of 40 or more or a BMI of 35 or more with a serious health problem linked to obesity," according to the NIDDK.
Obesity is a medical condition that affects nearly 42% of people in the U.S., according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Obesity has been associated with conditions including stroke and heart disease, hypertension and breathing problems such as sleep apnea.
"For patients who might be afraid of surgery, this may be more acceptable," McGowan said of endoscopic ablation.
Semaglutide helps reduce risk of heart attack, stroke in people without diabetes, study finds
Oprah Winfrey confirms she's on a weight-loss medication, says she's tired of 'shaming'
Novo Nordisk announces $6B investment in Ozempic, Wegovy amid shortages
Risks of the procedure include ulcers and bleeding, according to McGowan.
"Risks of this technology could include things like ulcers, bleeding, somehow injuring the stomach. These were things we were really careful about," he said. "In this case, everything was mild and that was the cramping and gas and nausea, things you'd expect when you'd perform a procedure on the stomach. But there were no complications whatsoever."
The clinical trial led by McGowan included just 10 female patients and was the first time endoscopic ablation targeting ghrelin had been tested in humans.
McGowan will present the results of the trial formally later this month at a medical conference, known as Digestive Disease Week, in Washington, D.C.
From there, the procedure will need to undergo additional testing to determine safety and long-term outcomes before it could eventually be made available to the general public.
Division Of Gastroenterology And Hepatology
Who We AreThe Saint Louis University Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology has a long history of excellence in clinical care, education, and research. We plan to build on that history as we expand our reach. Our vision is rooted in leadership, education, and care.
Our faculty are renowned for their expertise, and we want to channel our talents into recognition as leaders in the field, regionally, nationally, and internationally. This will open opportunities for our trainees to explore their talents in education and research. These goals can only be accomplished by continuing our delivery of state-of-the-art care with compassion.
Letter from the Division DirectorThank you for your interest and visiting our website. Our mission is to provide the best compassionate care to our patients, an excellent education for our trainees and community physicians, and to continue to advance knowledge in field of gastroenterology and hepatology through state-of-the-art research. Our vision is rooted in leadership, education, and care with the following goals:
With faculty members recognized as experts in their fields, nationally and internationally, they serve in a variety of capacities from Missouri Governor for the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG), American Board of Internal Medicine exam writing, American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy training committee, as well as local service to the university and hospital. By channeling our skills and service, we will open opportunities for our trainees to explore their talents in education and research.
These goals can only be accomplished by continuing our delivery of state-of-the-art care with compassion. From clinic to endoscopy, transplant to motility, our faculty, advanced practice providers, trainees, nurses, and staff care about our patients. Whether concerns are new or old, mild to severe, atypical to routine we can help. Our advanced endoscopists, gastroenterologists, and hepatologists are constantly researching and expanding their knowledge to nurture the future of our field as well as the patients we so deeply cherish.
Please feel free to explore our division and learn more about our faculty, students, and research programs. We are always looking for motivated and talented staff, trainees, and providers to join as members of the Division, or to collaborate with us and support causes close to our hearts.
Our Mission We provide the best compassionate care to our patients, excellent education for our trainees and community physicians, and continue to advance knowledge in the field of gastroenterology and hepatology through state-of-the-art research.
Wing-Kin Syn, M.D., Ph.D.Division director of Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Comments
Post a Comment