Your Health Matters: Exploring Weight Loss Surgery Options

By David Ballerstein - Marshfield Now!
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MARSHFIELD – The latest episode of Your Health Matters from Marshfield Clinic takes a deep dive into bariatric surgery, highlighting its history, benefits, and role in addressing obesity and related health conditions. Host Laura Kibbel sat down with Dr. Nirujogi, bariatric and general surgeon; Amanda Conner, nurse practitioner; and Amy Kramas, bariatric program coordinator, for an in-depth discussion on whether weight loss surgery might be the right option for patients.

Dr. Nirujogi shared her personal journey from medical training in India, England, and the United States before settling in Marshfield nearly two decades ago. Passionate about minimally invasive procedures, she explained how bariatric surgery has evolved from early bypass techniques to today’s laparoscopic and robotic approaches that allow many patients to go home the next day.

The conversation also explored how weight loss surgery compares to the increasingly popular GLP-1 medications. While these drugs can be effective in the short term, Nirujogi pointed to long-term studies showing bariatric surgery offers more durable weight loss, resolution of medical issues like diabetes and high blood pressure, and overall improvements in health and life expectancy.

Conner and Kramas emphasized that bariatric surgery is not a quick fix but part of a structured, accredited program that guides patients through preparation, surgery, and lifelong follow-up. From initial consultations to dietary counseling, behavioral health, and post-surgery monitoring, patients receive comprehensive support.

“Obesity impacts every system in the body,” Nirujogi noted, citing increased risks for conditions ranging from sleep apnea and cardiovascular disease to infertility and cancer. “Surgery isn’t for everyone, but for many, it can be life-changing.”

The Marshfield Clinic program is recognized as a Bariatric Center of Excellence by the American College of Surgeons, reflecting its high standards of care, patient outcomes, and multidisciplinary team approach.
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Part two of the episode will continue the conversation, focusing on patient experiences and deeper insights into the journey of weight loss surgery.

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