UHealth Offers Comprehensive Weight Loss and Bariatric Surgery Program at Doral Medical Center
Summary
- For adults and adolescents dealing with weight management or obesity, board-certified specialists at UHealth Doral Medical Center offer comprehensive care.
- Obesity and overweight can cause many health issues, including diabetes and heart disease.
- The UHealth Bariatric Surgery and Metabolic Health Program typically sees patients from ages 15 to 75 who are significantly overweight.
For adults and adolescents dealing with weight management or chronic obesity, the board-certified specialists at UHealth Doral Medical Center bring hope through safe and effective comprehensive care.
“Our goal is to improve the lives of people with obesity,” said Onur Kutlu, M.D., associate professor in the DeWitt Daughtry Family Department of Surgery and director of the Bariatric Surgery and Metabolic Health Program at UHealth—University of Miami Health System. “As an academic medical center, we have medical and surgical treatments for each state of this progressive, chronic disease. Whether a patient is 20 or 400 pounds overweight, we provide patient-centric tailored solutions for optimal success.”
Many studies have shown that obesity is a dangerous metabolic condition associated with a significant decrease in health, life expectancy and quality of life, added Dr. Kutlu.
“It can contribute to many chronic medical issues, such as diabetes, heart disease and esophageal and colon cancer. In addition to the medical issues, obesity can also affect an individual’s psychology, occupation and social relationships, making them reluctant to seek help,” he said. “That’s why we provide 360-degree support for every patient.”
Make an Appointment
Call 305-689-1910 to get started in the Bariatric Surgery and Metabolic Health Program.
Along with nationally certified nutritionists and experienced nurse practitioners, the UHealth weight loss management program includes specialists in related fields, including cardiology, endocrinology and orthopedic and plastic surgery.
“Our integrated approach is so important in addressing the multiple medical problems related to obesity,” said Dr. Kutlu. “That multidisciplinary approach sets our UHealth program apart, and helps us achieve our goal of offering obese patients better health and higher quality of life.”
Advanced Procedures for Weight Loss
The UHealth team typically sees patients from ages 15 to 75 who are significantly overweight, including heart, liver and lung transplant candidates or recipients facing organ failure.
“We have an impeccable record of safety and positive outcomes, even for patients with super obesity and significant illnesses,” said Dr. Kutlu.
UHealth offers advanced medical and minimally invasive surgical procedures to patients from throughout South Florida and beyond, including many patients who have struggled with previous treatments.
“We take great pride in helping these patients and returning them to their health,” said Dr. Kutlu. “Among the many specialties of our program are complicated revisions of previously failed weight loss surgery, as well as the latest surgical and non-surgical procedures for our patients.”
UHealth is the only South Florida program offering endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG), a minimally invasive, non-surgical procedure with no incisions.
“This is an excellent option for patients who have not been able to achieve successful weight loss with diet and lifestyle changes,” said Robert Cubas, M.D., an assistant professor in the DeWitt Daughtry Family Department of Surgery and program co-director of the Miller School’s Surgical Endoscopy Fellowship. Dr. Cubas specializes in surgical endoscopy and minimally invasive surgery.
To achieve the best outcomes and faster recoveries, Dr. Cubas typically uses robot-assisted procedures tailored to the specific patient requirements.
“One of our biggest strengths is taking care of patients who have failed prior medical or surgical treatments,” added Dr. Cubas. “Unfortunately, some doctors think one medication or procedure fits everyone. Instead, we take a very personalized approach and conduct a thorough evaluation using specialized technology to better understand each individual’s body.”
Medical Weight Loss
Obesity is not a problem of psychology or willpower, according to Dr. Kutlu. Instead, it is a chronic disease caused by a miscommunication between the brain and the gastrointestinal system.
“We prescribe the popular GLP-1 medications like Ozempic® and Wegovy®, as they are truly wonder drugs for weight loss management,” he said. “However they are not suitable for everyone, and many other medical treatments exist. But we do far more than simply write a prescription. We follow up with our patients to be sure the treatment is working and to check on any side effects. We also offer comprehensive nutritional and psychological support before, during and after medical care to help our patients succeed.”
The Bariatric Surgery and Metabolic Health Program is conveniently located in a new suite in Downtown Doral, as well as in the UHealth Tower near the Miller School of Medicine campus. It’s a Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP®) comprehensive center with adolescent qualifications.
Tags: bariatric surgery, DeWitt Daughtry Family Department of Surgery, Dr. Onur Kutlu, Dr. Robert Cubas, obesity, UHealth Doral, weight loss