NEW ORLEANS — A new wing dedicated to people with the condition of obesity is now open at University Medical Center.
Seven doctors, who are specialists in bariatric surgery for weight loss, will be seeing 1,000 patients a year.
Unlike other clinics that perform weight loss surgery, this is open to all people regardless of insurance status.
“The tremendous need in Louisiana, 40 percent of the citizens of Louisiana have obesity," explained Dr. Michael Cook, Director of Bariatric Surgery at UMC, who is with LCMC and on the faculty of LSUHSC.
"A smaller percentage, but number one in the country, of severe obesity, those that would qualify for bariatric surgery, but the number of patients actually receiving treatment for obesity is shockingly small, estimated at around one percent of patients who qualify for bariatric surgery actually have access to it,” Dr. Cook said.
The new LCMC clinic says this will improve the health of people in Louisiana, by treating one of the root causes of diabetes, heart disease, and strokes.
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