Starting today, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) will offer bariatric surgery as part of its weight loss services at the UAMS Health Medical and Surgical Weight Management Clinic.
Cam Patterson, M.D., MBA, UAMS Chancellor and CEO of UAMS Health, expressed excitement about the new addition, stating, “We are thrilled to provide bariatric surgery to patients who have struggled to lose weight with other methods like medication, exercise, or diet changes. Obesity is a major issue in our state, and we are dedicated to helping Arkansans achieve safe and effective weight loss.”
A 2024 study by the Trust for America’s Health reports that Arkansas has one of the highest adult obesity rates in the U.S., ranking third at 40%.
The UAMS Health Medical and Surgical Weight Management Clinic offers two distinct approaches to weight loss: medical weight management and surgical solutions. The clinic’s team of medical and surgical experts work closely to tailor care to each patient’s needs.
Medical Weight Management:
This program provides a comprehensive, nonsurgical approach that includes lifestyle changes, behavioral therapy, medications, and professional guidance. The team, led by Dr. Monica Ferrero and Dr. Yasthil Vijay Jaganath, specializes in obesity and lifestyle medicine. Both doctors are triple board-certified in family medicine, obesity medicine, and lifestyle medicine.
Surgical Weight Management:
The surgical team, led by Dr. Martha Estrada and Dr. Lexie Vaughn, offers surgical options to address obesity and its related health complications. Dr. Vaughn, who joined UAMS in July 2024, is an expert in minimally invasive and bariatric surgery. Dr. Estrada, a transplant surgeon, focuses on patients who need kidney or liver transplants but are disqualified due to their weight. “Bariatric surgery can provide these patients with a second chance at receiving life-saving organs,” said Dr. Estrada.
Both surgeons are skilled in robotic surgery, using the da Vinci surgical system to perform procedures.
The clinic’s full team also includes Rebekka Amick, APRN, and Kaitlin Shonnard, PA-C.
The UAMS Health Medical and Surgical Weight Management Clinic is located at the UAMS Outpatient Center on the Little Rock campus.
