9 8 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • J U L Y 2 0 1 7
T
he bariatric surgery boom? It's pretty much gone belly-
up. Even as the nation's obesity problem continues to
expand, surgical weight-loss procedures have remained
flat. Over the past 4 years, annual case volumes have
increased by just 5%, a barely perceptible rise. Surgeons
perform about 200,000 weight-loss procedures each year — that's only
1% to 2% of obese patients who are eligible for surgery. But where
some see a sagging market, others see a renaissance. The reason for
their optimism? Their excitement over these 5 relatively new and
promising treatment options.
Could these 5 procedures revitalize weight-loss surgery?
Stacy Brethauer, MD
Cleveland, Ohio
• PLENTY OF OPTIONS Stacy Brethauer, MD, seen here performing a gastric bypass at the Cleveland Clinic, says less invasive weight-loss procedures bridge the gap between medical
treatments and complex surgery.
Bullish on Bariatrics
Steve
Travarca,
Cleveland
Clinic
