New Weightloss Procedure at Mercy HospitalsHelps address high prevalence of dangerous obesity

Late last year, Mercy Bariatrics of women are overweight. The added a new weight-loss pro- reasons for this prevalence are both cedure to their program: the socio-logical and economic. Urban

ReShape® Integrated Dual Balloon Sys- Blacks generally have more limited tem, an FDA approved, non-surgical access to affordable healthy foods, weight loss procedure for people with limited num-bers of safe locations for mild to moderate obesity. Now avail- active exer-cise, and wider exposure to able at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital in advertising of unhealthy foods and

beverages. Darby and Mercy Philadelphia Hos- Due in large measure to these fac-pital in West Philadelphia, Reshape® tors, African Americans adults suffer provides a new option for adults with a from heart diseases and diabetes at Body-Mass Index (BMI) of 30-40 and roughly twice the rate of other ethnici-a related health condition who haven’t ties. While the outlook for Black chil-succeeded at diet and exercise alone dren is somewhat better, 11 percent of and do not want or do not qualify for such chilren between ages 2 and 5 are bariatric surgery. already obese.This innovative therapy becomes “For years a significant gap has

important when one considers the existed in treatment options for obe-prevalence of overweight and obesity sity with limited, effective therapies in the African American population. available,” said Prashanth Ramach-Overall, Blacks suffer from being andra, MD, Surgery Chair at the two overweight at rates disporportion hospitals. “We often see patients who to national averages. 69 percent of are clinically obese and in desper-ate African American men and 82 percent need of medical intervention to help

them lose weight, when diet and

Dr. Prashanth Ramachandra, MD, Surgery Chair at the two nearby Mercy Hospitals describes a new, non-surgical procedure for reducing overweight and potentially reducing risks of heart disease and diabetes.

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6 Southwest Globe Times Newspaper COMMUNITY NEWS January 20, 2017

Continues FRoM Page 6 exercise coaching sessions. They having a Body Mass Index (BMI) also have access to the ReShape of more than 30, obesity can lead

exercise alone have failed and Patient Portal, an online support to numerous, serious health com-surgery is not an option. The d ual resource that provides tools and plications including heart disease, balloon provides this group of ‘in- information to help patients track stroke, type 2 diabetes and certain between’ patients with access t o a weight loss, diet, and exercise and types of cancer. non-surgical, reversible option t o an on-line community where they In an FDA clinical study of 326 encourage new habits and lastin g can interact with other. patients conducted at eight sites in results.” This is all in addition to the the US, patients with the dual bal-

The dual balloon is inserted in post-operative services that the loons experienced 2.3 times more the stomach during a short out pa- Mercy Bariatrics Program pro- excess weight loss at six months tient procedure, where it remains vides, including 24/7 access to the compared to those who had the for six months, serving as bui lt-in bariatric surgeons and coordina- diet and exercise program alone. portion control so people may tor, and bariatric support group In the clinical trial, patients lost feel full and less hungry. It do es classes. up to 72 pounds in 12 months. not change or alter the natural More than 78 million adults in For more information on the anatomy of the stomach in any the U.S. are obese. In June 2013, procedures available at Mercy way. During this time and for th e the American Medical Associa- Bariatrics, call 855.537.7968 or six months after removal, patients tion officially classified obesity visit https://www.mercyhealth.receive frequent in-office diet an d as a disease. Clinically defined as org/services/bariatrics/.

January 20, 2017 COMMUNITY NEWS