major killer because it’s linked to diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular and other grave diseases,” says Jason Balette, MD, bariatric surgeon affiliated with Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center. “Yet men don’t address their weight till their pain and medical problems are unbearable.” Treatment options: According to Dr. Balette, he’s got to step up his physical activity, and not only peel off pounds but keep them off. For eligible candidates, bariatric surgery can lead to faster and perpetual weight loss. The minimally invasive surgery resolves not just obesity, but also many of the above issues. Yet only 1 percent of those eligible get the operation. “And of those, just one of five are
men,” Dr. Balette says, “even though they need it as much as women do.” According to Dr. Balette, gastric bypass creates a pinky-sized pouch from the top of the stomach and connects it to the small intestine. Gastric sleeve, also called sleeve gastrectomy, cuts down your stomach by 70 percent till it’s the size of a banana “People can eat very little, yet they feel full,” he says. “Once men lose the weight, their quality of life is so much better.” MAINTENANCE Why it’s needed: His body is more complex than his car, but just like it, he needs regular checkups and maintenance. Providing those visits is his primary care physician (PCP), says Justin Bogwu, MD, family medicine physician
with Memorial Hermann Medical Group Summer Creek. “If a male has health issues, the PCP often is the first to recognize them. We can prescribe or adjust medications and decide what treatments are right,” he says. Treatment options: He should have an annual physical at least yearly to measure blood pressure, height and weight, cholesterol, blood sugar and other key body metrics. His doctor may urge other tests or health screenings, based on his family or personal health history. It’s never too late to rev up for better health. Regular tune-ups will spare him from major mishaps down the road. “Screenings can discover a problem early and help stop it from worsening,” Dr. Bogwu says.
Shahrooz Rashtak, MD Gastroenterologist
Shawn Mathur, MD Urologist
Jason Balette, MD Bariatric Surgeon
Justin Bogwu, MD Family Medicine Physician
Learn more about men’s health and recommended screenings by age at memorialhermann.org/menshealth
Advancing health. Personalizing care.
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LAKE HOUSTON HUMBLE KINGWOOD EDITION • JUNE 2022
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