Catholic Health and Trinity Bariatric Surgery Recognize National Obesity Care Week

Oct 8, 2018News & PR, Sisters of Charity Hospital St. Joseph Campus

Many struggling with obesity have not spoken with a healthcare provider about their weight

An estimated 93 million adult Americans struggle with obesity. Catholic Health and Trinity Bariatric Surgery recognize the impact obesity can have on individuals, physically, emotionally, and socially. The two organizations are observing National Obesity Care Week (NOCW), October 7-13, and Bariatric Surgery Day on October 10, to help raise awareness of resources available, as well as the compassionate, respectful, comprehensive care that they provide.

National Obesity Care Week (NOCW) was launched in an effort to encourage understanding, respect and acceptance of the complex nature of obesity and highlight the value of science and clinically-based care in its treatment. While obesity is linked to a multitude of health conditions including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, osteoarthritis, obstructive sleep apnea, and some cancers, half of people with obesity say they have never had a conversation about their weight with a healthcare professional. Additionally, the stigma that goes along with obesity has a profound impact on self-esteem and mental health.

“People are not always aware of the effect obesity can have on their health and the overall way that they feel,” says Dr. Dang Tuan Pham, bariatric surgeon and chief of bariatric surgery, Trinity Bariatric Surgery. “Our Bariatric program is designed to holistically offer all of the resources needed to support a patient’s weight-loss journey, while restoring their physical and mental health and wellness.”

Catholic Health’s Sisters Metabolic Center for Wellness and Trinity Bariatric Surgery have developed educational content and informational videos that will be posted throughout the week on the Catholic Health blog (blog.chs.buffalo.org) and also Catholic Health Facebook page and Twitter account (@CHSBuffalo). Additionally, Trinity Bariatric Surgery has upcoming seminars available for individuals to learn about the health impacts associated with obesity, different approaches to weight loss, and surgical procedures available.

Sessions for October include:

October 17     5:30-7:00 pm          Sisters of Charity Hospital, St. Joseph Campus, 2605 Harlem Road, Cheektowaga

October 19     12:00-1:30 pm        Sisters of Charity Hospital, St. Joseph Campus, 2605 Harlem Road, Cheektowaga

October 22     6:00-7:30 pm         Mount St. Mary’s Hospital, 5300 Military Road, Lewiston

For more information on bariatrics or to sign up for these seminar or other sessions, please visit: chsbuffalo.org/services/bariatrics or call Health Connections at (716) 447-6205.