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everything possible, including offering free educational seminars and free medical weight loss programs, to help our patients succeed." Leading the Charge Dr. Saber and Dr. Khaitan lead a team of specially trained nurses, dietitians, exercise physiologists and counselors at UH Case Medical Center (UHCMC) in Cleveland and UH Geauga Medical Center in Chardon, where bariatric surgeries are currently performed. Patients are also seen at UH Westlake Health Center, UH University Suburban Health Center in South Euclid and UH Chagrin Highlands Health Center in Orange Village. Dr. Saber is director of the Bariatric Surgery, Metabolic & Nutrition Center, which is part of the University Hospitals Digestive Health Institute and director of Bariatric & Metabolic Surgery at UHCMC. He is also an associate profes- sor of Surgery at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. Dr. Saber was fellowship-trained in bariatric and advanced minimally invasive surgery at Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Weston, Florida. He joined UH in 2010 and is recognized as an area expert in minimally-invasive bariatric procedures. Dr. Khaitan joined UH in 2007. Fellowship trained in minimally invasive surgery at Vanderbilt University and a former director of Bariatric Surgery at Emory University Hospital, Dr. Khaitan currently holds several titles across the University Hospitals Health System. She is associate director of the Bariatric Surgery, Metabolic & Nutrition Center and surgical director of the UH Center for Esophageal & Swallowing Disorders. At UH Geauga, she is director of Bariatric & Minimally Invasive Surgery and director of the Swallowing Center. Dr. Khaitan is also an associate professor of surgery at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. "I do have a unique (specialty) field set," laughs Dr. Khaitan. "But it's all related, because the esophagus is sig- nificantly affected by a lot of bariatric surgeries, particularly by the gastric banding and by the sleeve. Alternatively, when it comes to reflux disease the gastric bypass procedure is the ultimate treatment. It results in a majority of the acid-producing cells in the stomach being separated from the pouch. So this minimizes reflux." Perhaps most unique is the fact that Dr. Khaitan is a female bariatric surgeon. In fact, she's the only one in Ohio. Eighty percent of bariatric surgery patients are women, and often they prefer a female surgeon. "Dr. Saber is a wonderful partner and an extremely talented surgeon, however, I can bring that extra female touch to our team," she explains. "Most of our patients are in my age demographic (35-55 years old), so they can easily relate to me. And many women are having surgery to resolve sensitive female problems related to their obesity, such as fertility issues." Obesity affects a woman's estro- Dr. Leena Khaitan, associate director of the Bariatric Surgery, Metabolic & Nutrition Center at UHCMC and director of Bariatric & Minimally Invasive Surgery at UH Geauga Medical Center, is the only female bariatric surgeon in Ohio. gen level and her ability to become pregnant. Obesity also predisposes a woman to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) which affects fertility. Urinary 24 | Cleveland-Akron-Canton MD NEWS ■ MDNEWS.COM ■ JULY-AUGUST 2012 PHOTOS © SMITHBERGER PHOTOGRAPHY, NORTH CANTON