Catonsville, MD, USA - November 21, 2022 - Baltimore Magazine’s Top Doctor rankings have been announced, and one hospital dominated the rankings for bariatric surgery.

All three of Saint Agnes’s bariatric surgeons, Dr. Andrew Averbach, Dr. Isam Hamdallah, and Dr. Catriona Swift, have been named Baltimore Magazine’s Top Doctors for 2022. Only six bariatric surgeons were named Top Doctor, and three of them are at Saint Agnes hospital.

Saint Agnes Hospital has been operating in the greater Baltimore area since the days of Edgar Allen Poe. Founded in 1823, it hosts the second-oldest surgery residency in the United States and the world's first chest pain emergency center. A member of Ascension Health, it’s one of the largest non-profit hospitals in all of Maryland. Ascension Saint Agnes is affiliated with both Johns Hopkins Hospital and the University of Maryland Medical Center as a teaching hospital.

Ascension Saint Agnes has become known in recent decades for providing some of the best bariatric surgery in Maryland. Baltimore Magazine’s rankings show they’re finally recognized for their work. Their bariatrics program is a Blue Center of Distinction by Blue Cross/Blue Shield and Center of Excellence by Optum/United, Cigna, and Aetna Healthcare.

Bariatric surgery, or weight loss surgery, aims to induce rapid and permanent weight loss in morbidly obese patients. Obesity is a multifaceted issue, and bariatric surgery was developed to address two of these facets: overeating and metabolism. Bariatric surgery works by either restricting the amount a patient can eat in one sitting, reducing the amount of energy that the body can get from digested food, or both at the same time.

After surgery, patients cannot eat as much as they used to, and they cannot get as many calories from their food. This results in a calorie deficit, which results in fat loss. For some patients, bariatric surgery is their last hope.

Why do these surgeons do what they do? What keeps them going?

“Surgery is the passion of my life,” Dr. Averbach says. “Every craftsman – and surgery is a craft as much as it is a science – loves their creation. Meeting a challenge, something others cannot or do not want to do, brings a special sense of achievement.” Dr. Averbach has performed over 4,500 bariatric procedures since 2012.

“To be part of the [weight loss] journey and to perform the surgery is a personally rewarding experience, every time,” says Dr. Hamdallah. Dr. Hamdallah also teaches surgical residents, producing the next generation of world-class surgeons.

“Reversing chronic diseases, decreasing dependence on medications, increasing mobility, and improving quality of life and wellbeing are just a few of the benefits that make me passionate about this type of surgery,” says Dr. Swift. Dr. Swift is trained in state-of-the-art surgical techniques and actively publishes new research.

Bariatric surgeons recommend weight loss surgery for patients who are morbidly obese and have not been able to lose weight through diet and exercise alone. This means bariatric surgery is reserved for patients with a body mass index (BMI) above 40. Patients suffering from obesity-related health conditions, such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, or sleep apnea, can qualify for bariatric surgery with a BMI over 35.

Bariatric surgery is safe, although it is not without risks. Bariatric surgeons perform intensive pre-screening, including psychological evaluation, to ensure that a patient is a good candidate for weight loss surgery. Those who do not meet the criteria should lose weight by exercising and eating a balanced diet: high in fruits and vegetables and low in processed foods.

For more information, contact Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital.

Press Information:
Andrew Averbach, M.D., FACS, FASMBS
Director, Bariatric Surgery

Saint Agnes Hospital, Baltimore, MD
700 Geipe Road #274
Catonsville MD 21228
andrew.averbach@ascension.org

Phone: 667-234-8725
Fax: 410-368-8726

Website: https://mdbariatrics.com/

Media Contact
Company Name: Saint Agnes Hospital, Baltimore, MD
Contact Person: Andrew Averbach
Email: Send Email
Address:700 Geipe Road #274
City: Catonsville
State: MD 21228
Country: United States
Website: https://mdbariatrics.com/