When I'm not working...
"I'm a husband, father and now grandfather to three beautiful grandchildren. When I'm not working, I love spending time with my family, enjoying the ever changing seasons of Minnesota, boating on the beautiful lakes and biking in the summer or downhill skiing in the winter."
Why I Chose to Become a Bariatric Surgeon
"When I was coming to the end of my residency, my Father and I had a conversation about his experience as a bariatric surgeon. He told me that I would never find a specialty that was more rewarding and, seventeen years later, I could not agree more. To be a witness to the dramatic changes people make in their lives - not just physically, but emotionally and psychologically, is truly profound. I am so fortunate to be a part of their experience and I really look forward to seeing every patient back and hearing about their own journey."
Favorite Fun Fact about Weight Loss...
"With every one pound of weight loss a patient experiences, they will carry seven pounds less on their knee joint. With a 100 pound weight loss, you'll feel 700 pounds lighter!"
What's on the Horizon for Weight Loss, Surgery and Otherwise...
Bariatric surgery is a dynamic field, constantly evolving in techniques, surgical options, and insurance coverage. Throughout my career, I've witnessed significant shifts—from insurance initially embracing bariatric surgery with minimal criteria, to now imposing stricter guidelines and limited coverage. Yet, across Minnesota, bariatric surgeons and programs are tirelessly advocating for change, armed with compelling evidence.
Research unequivocally supports bariatric surgery as the most effective treatment for obesity—a disease recognized by the American Medical Association since June 2013. With this momentum, I firmly believe change is imminent.
Moreover, there's burgeoning interest in bariatric surgery's role in treating diabetes. Remarkably, up to 90% of my Roux-en-Y and Sleeve patients see their diabetes vanish immediately post-surgery, irrespective of weight loss—a phenomenon I affectionately dub the "Miracle of the Operation." Equally thrilling, a similar success rate is observed in hypertensive patients, with up to 90% leaving the hospital the day after surgery free from medication.
Exciting advancements for weight loss aren't limited to just bariatric surgery; they extend to non-surgical weight loss methods as well. Over the past four years, my team at Ridgeview has teamed up with the Endocrinology Department to craft a cutting-edge non-surgical program, broadening our arsenal of options for patients seeking effective weight loss solutions.
Enter GLP1 medications—an innovative frontier in weight loss. While these medications require ongoing use to sustain weight loss achievements, the buzz surrounding their efficacy is palpable. Despite initial hesitations from insurers, the tide is turning. As evidence mounts showcasing their ability to not only shrink waistlines but also alleviate conditions like heart disease and diabetes, insurance coverage is poised to expand.
The financial logic is clear: investing in weight loss interventions - whether surgery or medication in combination with a comprehensive weight loss program - now offsets future expenditures on managing chronic conditions like hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes. It's a win-win that promises to enhance insurers' bottom lines while transforming lives. Good for the consumer. Good for the insurer. Money talks. As insurers reassess their strategies in light of compelling data and patient success stories, widespread coverage of these transformative therapies feels increasingly inevitable. The future of weight loss isn't just promising—it's poised to redefine health outcomes and healthcare economics alike.
Let's talk and see how we can best help you to move into better health and wellness!
Research unequivocally supports bariatric surgery as the most effective treatment for obesity—a disease recognized by the American Medical Association since June 2013. With this momentum, I firmly believe change is imminent.
Moreover, there's burgeoning interest in bariatric surgery's role in treating diabetes. Remarkably, up to 90% of my Roux-en-Y and Sleeve patients see their diabetes vanish immediately post-surgery, irrespective of weight loss—a phenomenon I affectionately dub the "Miracle of the Operation." Equally thrilling, a similar success rate is observed in hypertensive patients, with up to 90% leaving the hospital the day after surgery free from medication.
Exciting advancements for weight loss aren't limited to just bariatric surgery; they extend to non-surgical weight loss methods as well. Over the past four years, my team at Ridgeview has teamed up with the Endocrinology Department to craft a cutting-edge non-surgical program, broadening our arsenal of options for patients seeking effective weight loss solutions.
Enter GLP1 medications—an innovative frontier in weight loss. While these medications require ongoing use to sustain weight loss achievements, the buzz surrounding their efficacy is palpable. Despite initial hesitations from insurers, the tide is turning. As evidence mounts showcasing their ability to not only shrink waistlines but also alleviate conditions like heart disease and diabetes, insurance coverage is poised to expand.
The financial logic is clear: investing in weight loss interventions - whether surgery or medication in combination with a comprehensive weight loss program - now offsets future expenditures on managing chronic conditions like hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes. It's a win-win that promises to enhance insurers' bottom lines while transforming lives. Good for the consumer. Good for the insurer. Money talks. As insurers reassess their strategies in light of compelling data and patient success stories, widespread coverage of these transformative therapies feels increasingly inevitable. The future of weight loss isn't just promising—it's poised to redefine health outcomes and healthcare economics alike.
Let's talk and see how we can best help you to move into better health and wellness!
Two Twelve Medical Center, 111 Hundermark Road, Suite 115 N, Chaska, MN 55318 Phone: 952-442-7820 opt 1