Danny Mou, MD, is a highly accomplished bariatric surgeon at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. He is an assistant professor in the Section of Minimally Invasive Surgery. His expertise is in performing weight loss surgeries that significantly impact patients’ health and quality of life, helping them overcome obesity and related diseases, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.
Benefits of bariatric surgery
Dr. Mou discusses a few topics, including the benefits of undergoing in weight loss surgery for individuals with high body mass index (BMI). The procedures he performs have the possibility to facilitate significant weight reduction and can often cure related diseases.
Question : What is special about your practice?
Answer: As a bariatric surgeon, the patient population I work with includes individuals who suffer from obesity, with most of them having a BMI over 35, and some with BMIs significantly higher than that. I provide weight loss surgery that allows these patients to lose a substantial amount of weight. More importantly, it cures many obesity-associated diseases such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. After the surgery, many of my patients come off those medications in addition to losing a lot of weight.
Q: Where is your practice located, and what procedures do you perform?
A: I operate both at BJH, the main campus, and at Barnes West County, where I also have my clinic. My practice involves index bariatric surgeries as well as revision surgeries, addressing complications and transfers from other hospitals. I use laparoscopic techniques for almost all surgeries, making tiny incisions with cameras. Additionally, I perform about half of my surgeries using the Da Vinci robot, which offers different modality options for surgical procedures.
Q: What are the demographics of the patients you treat?
A: My patients’ ages range from 30s to 60s. Around 85% of the my patients are female. Though most of my patients are Caucasian, I also work with a good number of African Americans and other minorities.
FAQ from patients
Patients have many questions about bariatric surgery, including the efficacy and safety of the procedures. Dr. Mou addresses these concerns.
Q: Is this surgery safe?
A: Patients often express fear about surgery, which is understandable as it requires commitment and mental fortitude. However, I hope that patients can realize that weight loss surgery is safer than an appendectomy. Over the years, bariatric surgery has become one of the safest surgeries we perform.
Q: Can bariatric surgery serve as a preventative measure for developing other associated diseases?
A: Yes, absolutely. For young patients with a high BMI but no other medical conditions, bariatric surgery can prevent the development of comorbidities, providing a path to long-term health benefits. I do feel that patients often get the biggest bang for their buck when they undergo weight loss surgery earlier because that prevents them from having diabetes or high blood pressure, which then lowers their risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Q: What does patient care look like on the day of the procedure and in the aftercare?
A: We don’t have a formal pre-surgery diet requirement, but we encourage patients to lose five pounds and maintain that weight loss. This serves as a proxy for their discipline in maintaining a stable weight. The surgery takes 1-3 hours depending on the surgery type. After surgery, patients are walking around and drinking the same day. Nearly all of my patients go home the next day, so it’s a one-night hospital stay. Post-surgery follow-ups include a post-operative 1 week, 5 week, three-month and a six-month visit, where patients undergo nutrition and vitamin labs . After that we see our patients yearly. During these visits, we slowly advance the patient’s diet and provide guidance on nutrition and exercise. We pride ourselves with our close long-term follow-up, which I think contributes to our excellent clinical outcomes.
Q: How does bariatric surgery impact lifespan?
A: Bariatric surgery significantly impacts both the quantity and quality of life. Undergoing this surgery on average adds seven years to a patient’s life. This isn’t just a cosmetic improvement; it’s a medical benefit. Imagine a pill that could add seven years to your life—such a pill would draw immense attention and likely be given to everyone. Bariatric surgery offers these benefits by alleviating comorbidities like knee pain, diabetes, and high cholesterol, resulting in not only a longer life but also a more active and healthier one.
Live a healthier, longer life
Find out more about operative and non-operative weight loss management the weight management program at Washington University School of Medicine. Attending a weight loss seminar at Barnes-Jewish Hospital can provide valuable information and the support necessary to make an informed decision.