Numerous studies in the past year have shown that COVID-19 patients with obesity and other comorbidities are at a higher risk of requiring intensive care unit (ICU) stays and have increased rates of mortality from the virus. Obesity compromises pulmonary function by decreasing the volume of air a person can expel, decreases overall functional capacity of the lungs, causes an increase in inflammatory cytokines, (which has been linked to increased severity of COVID-19 infections) and may increase the risk of death from infection.

A new study conducted by a Cleveland Clinic found that among patients who have tested posted for COVID-19 with a history of obesity and bariatric surgery such as the Gastric Sleeve had lower rates of hospital admissions, ICU admission, and mortality. The Centers for Disease Control has identified obesity as a major risk factor for developing a severe case of COVID-19.

Medical professionals worldwide are insisting that despite the pandemic, patients with problems with chronic obesity should not be delayed or neglected. In-fact, many professionals worry of higher rates of mortality in general associated with obesity due to patients neglecting their health care needs during the pandemic.

Many mental health professionals are sounding the alarm on what they are deeming a hidden “Mental Health Pandemic” due to the stressors caused by fear of illness, social isolation, economic disruption, and other stressors that are creating a mental health crisis as well as compounding overall health problems. Patients with obesity during the pandemic suffering from emotional dysregulation and boredom often overeat, binge eat, and are more inclined to impulsive destructive behavior.

Patients considering Gastric Sleeve Surgery are encouraged not to wait until the pandemic is over, but rather to act now and start their weight loss journey as soon as possible. Vaccine rollout estimates range anywhere from 6 months to up to a year before herd immunity is established and rates from mortality from COVID begin to decrease. Consequently, people will be forced to continue to wear masks, socially distance, and not gather in groups for much of 2021. For those of you forced to stay home and socially distance, this period in time may be a good opportunity to have surgery and start your weight loss journey. The pandemic has been a huge disruption in the routines of million Americans. Most of these disruptions have had adverse affects and have been interpreted as overwhelmingly negative. However, we would like to encourage our patients to use this challenging period in history to make a personal choice to better their health and improve their lives.

If you’ve already had surgery, we would like to encourage you to stay positive, stay connected, and reach out to our staff if you have questions, concerns, or are struggling with a problem(s) currently. We also courage patients to connect with our large community of patients by participating on our private Facebook Support Group. Our practitioners and patients have a wide body of knowledge that can help assist and guide you along your journey and can provide suggestions and feedback based upon your personal health and circumstances. One of your most important resources is your patient facilitator, JoAnn Jackson, RN, BSN. Please click one or more of the links below if you are interested in surgery or have a question for Dr Kuri or JoAnn Jackson, RN, BSN. Your response will be recorded by our system and we will contact you as soon as possible.

References & Citations
1. Dietz W, Santos-Burgoa C. Obesity and its implications for COVID-19 mortality. Obesity (Silver Spring, Md). 2020 [PubMed] 2. Muniyappa R, Gubbi S. COVID-19 pandemic, corona viruses, and diabetes mellitus. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2020;318:E736–E741. doi: 10.1152/ajpendo.00124.2020. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [CrossRef] [Google Scholar] 3. Capelo AV, da Fonseca VM, Peixoto MV, de Carvalho SR, Azevedo CM, Elsas MI, Marques B. Visceral adiposity is associated with cytokines and decrease in lung function in women with persistent asthma. Rev Port Pneumol. 2016;22(5):255–261. [PubMed] [Google Scholar] 4. Science Daily
5. Medical Conditions problematic with COVID 19
6. Delay or avoidance of Medical care during COVID-19
7. COVID-19 and Obesity—the Management of Pre- and Post-bariatric Patients Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic

Numerous studies in the past year have shown that COVID-19 patients with obesity and other comorbidities are at a higher risk of requiring intensive care unit (ICU) stays and have increased rates of mortality from the virus. Obesity compromises pulmonary function by decreasing the volume of air a person can expel, decreases overall functional capacity of the lungs, causes an increase in inflammatory cytokines, (which has been linked to increased severity of COVID-19 infections) and may increase the risk of death from infection.

A new study conducted by a clinic in Cleveland found that among patients who have tested posted for COVID-19 with a history of obesity and bariatric surgery such as the Gastric Sleeve had lower rates of hospital admissions, ICU admission, and mortality. The Centers for Disease Control has identified obesity as a major risk factor for developing a severe case of COVID-19.

Medical professionals worldwide are insisting that despite the pandemic, patients with problems with chronic obesity should not be delayed or neglected. In-fact, many professionals worry of higher rates of mortality in general associated with obesity due to patients neglecting their health care needs during the pandemic.

Many mental health professionals are sounding the alarm on what they are deeming a hidden “Mental Health Pandemic” due to the stressors caused by fear of illness, social isolation, economic disruption, and other stressors that are creating a mental health crisis as well as compounding overall health problems. Patients with obesity during the pandemic suffering from emotional dysregulation and boredom often overeat, binge eat, and are more inclined to impulsive destructive behavior.

Patients considering Gastric Sleeve Surgery are encouraged not to wait until the pandemic is over, but rather to act now and start their weight loss journey as soon as possible. Vaccine rollout estimates range anywhere from 6 months to up to a year before herd immunity is established and rates from mortality from COVID begin to decrease. Consequently, people will be forced to continue to wear masks, socially distance, and not gather in groups for much of 2021. For those of you forced to stay home and socially distance, this period in time may be a good opportunity to have surgery and start your weight loss journey. The pandemic has been a huge disruption in the routines of million Americans. Most of these disruptions have had adverse affects and have been interpreted as overwhelmingly negative. However, we would like to encourage our patients to use this challenging period in history to make a personal choice to better their health and improve their lives.

If you’ve already had surgery, we would like to encourage you to stay positive, stay connected, and reach out to our staff if you have questions, concerns, or are struggling with a problem(s) currently. We also courage patients to connect with our large community of patients by participating on our private Facebook Support Group. Our practitioners and patients have a wide body of knowledge that can help assist and guide you along your journey and can provide suggestions and feedback based upon your personal health and circumstances. One of your most important resources is your patient facilitator, JoAnn Jackson, RN, BSN. Please click one or more of the links below if you are interested in surgery or have a question for Dr Kuri or JoAnn Jackson, RN, BSN. Your response will be recorded by our system and we will contact you as soon as possible.

References & Citations
1. Dietz W, Santos-Burgoa C. Obesity and its implications for COVID-19 mortality. Obesity (Silver Spring, Md). 2020 [PubMed] 2. Muniyappa R, Gubbi S. COVID-19 pandemic, corona viruses, and diabetes mellitus. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2020;318:E736–E741. doi: 10.1152/ajpendo.00124.2020. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [CrossRef] [Google Scholar] 3. Capelo AV, da Fonseca VM, Peixoto MV, de Carvalho SR, Azevedo CM, Elsas MI, Marques B. Visceral adiposity is associated with cytokines and decrease in lung function in women with persistent asthma. Rev Port Pneumol. 2016;22(5):255–261. [PubMed] [Google Scholar] 4. Science Daily
5. Medical Conditions problematic with COVID 19
6. Delay or avoidance of Medical care during COVID-19
7. COVID-19 and Obesity—the Management of Pre- and Post-bariatric Patients Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic