Being overweight or obese is a health risk. Carrying those extra pounds makes you more likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke, develop type 2 diabetes, gallbladder disease, sleep apnea and osteoarthritis. It also lowers your quality of life, keeping you from doing things you probably once enjoyed.
If all that weren’t reason enough to get serious about losing weight, there’s another very timely consideration: obesity is a risk factor for serious symptoms with COVID-19. In fact, a study published earlier this year in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that 41.7% of 5,700 patients hospitalized for COVID-19 had a body mass index (BMI) over 30.
Losing weight is hard and being stuck indoors along with stress from the pandemic hasn’t helped. More and more of us are tipping the scales in ways we have maybe not seen before. However, our Mercy Health bariatric specialists can help you turn things around and reduce your risk for illness.
“Having several family members who struggled with obesity made me see first-hand not just the impact on one’s health, but otherwise everyday things like shopping for clothes or riding a roller coaster,” says Yasir Khan, DO, (pictured above right) bariatric and general surgeon at Mercy Health – Weight Management Solutions in Cincinnati, OH. “I was driven to help people battling obesity and pursued fellowship training in bariatrics and robotics. I truly enjoy helping people feel good about themselves while increasing the quality of their lives.”
“As a resident, I noticed that many obese patients were not getting the care they needed because of how difficult their anatomy is and how technically challenging their cases are. This is a significant population that needs appropriate care but is not receiving it. Knowing the struggles those patients go through and how they can’t enjoy life as they want, I decided that I wanted to be part of their journey to a better life,” shares Mohamed Dahman, MD, (pictured above left) a bariatric specialist at Mercy Health – Weight Management Solutions in Cincinnati, OH.
In his 10 years in practice, Dr. Dahman has cared for thousands of people. His passion for helping his patients is as strong now as ever.
“Bariatric surgery is a specialty where we get to see the light at the end of the tunnel,” he shares. “We are part of the patient’s long-term transformation, from the beginning through to their weight loss and after, and we form very good connections with our patients along the way.”
In addition to offering surgical weight loss options, including gastric sleeve, gastric bypass and gastric bands, Mercy Health – Weight Management Solutions also offers non-surgical weight management, as well as surgical treatment for complex hernias, reflux and diabetes.
Both Dr. Khan and Dr. Dahman work closely with patients to find the best solution for each one.
“I tell my patients that it’s very important that when they make a decision, they make an informed decision… I like to emphasize to my patients that being healthy and losing weight is a commitment, but we have all the resources to help them through their journey,” says Dr. Khan. “Whether it’s a surgical or non-surgical approach, our dedicated team will work with them to achieve and maintain their goals.”
“The only thing we have seen patients regret is not embarking on this journey sooner,” says Dr. Dahman. “It’s never too late to start and we can work together to get you in a better place to make the most of out of your life, family and career.”
“Although I enjoy the entire process of helping patients prepare for and succeed after surgery, my single favorite appointment is the one-year follow up,” Dr. Khan adds. “Nothing beats seeing how happy patients are comparing their before and after pictures and measurements. It’s extremely satisfying and humbling seeing the direct impact on their overall health and energy.”
Learn more about the wide-variety of weight loss services we offer at Mercy Health
