According to the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, just a few decades ago, weight-loss surgery was seen as high risk and the rewards were seen as mostly cosmetic. Today, this way of thinking is entirely outdated and incorrect.
In fact, the popularity of bariatric surgery in the Los Angeles area has spurred George Kramb and Patrick Frank, co-founders of PatientPartner, to add a weight-loss surgery portal to their PatientPartners program. PatientPartners, the program, connects their resource of Patient Partners — people who have gone through similar surgeries — with others considering the process. Kramb adds, “We believe that our PatientPartner program for weight-loss surgeries can bring tremendous awareness and support to patients in the LA metro area.”
Frank further explains the purpose of their company by saying, “With over 40% of the Los Angeles population being eligible for bariatric surgery, we have an opportunity to highlight all the benefits from what these procedures can bring.” Frank adds that their Patient Partners who have experienced Sleeve Gastrectomy and Gastric Bypass are willing to share their experiences so others can make an informed decision about their health.
Since co-founding PatientPartner in 2017, Frank and Kramb have not slowed down. As leaders in their industry, they have recently been named to Forbes 30 Under 30 list for 2021 in the Consumer Technology category. And they seem to be on to something big by adding weight-loss surgery to their PatientPartners program in the Los Angeles area.
According to the ASMBS, the most popular reason people get bariatric surgery is to lower their risks of death and complications from obesity. Weight-loss surgery reduces the risk of death related to many diseases, including heart disease (40% lower), diabetes (92% lower), and cancer (60% lower).
The ASMBS also adds that the risk of death associated with this type of surgery is very low. With risks being low and benefits high, the decision to have the surgery is getting even easier to make. And with a support system like PatientPartners, more and more people can hear the stories others have to share about their experiences surrounding the event. PatientPartners understands that putting these people together where they can talk, get answers, and tell their stories helps demystify the procedure’s purpose and process.
Excited to get the weight-loss surgery element working in full-swing, Frank adds that they are launching their bariatric PatientPartner program in Los Angeles because of the large number of patients in that area who could benefit from talking with a Patient Partner. Kramb says, “We contracted with roughly 20 of the top bariatric surgeons in the Los Angeles, Riverside, and Orange County areas, and we have 15 Patient Partners with 20-30 more being onboarded in the coming weeks.”
Since 2017, PatientPartners has provided a patient-centered element to healthcare. And with the addition of weight-loss surgeries to the community of PatientPartners, more people can get the answers they need about weight-loss surgeries that can significantly improve their quality of life. “This,” Frank concludes, “is what PatientPartners is all about — giving people the information they need to take charge of their health.”
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