Day in the Life of a General and Bariatric Surgeon at Ochsner Health

Salim Hosein, MD, is a general and bariatric surgeon at Ochsner Medical Center - New Orleans. Dr. Hosein performs minimally invasive general and bariatric surgery, metabolic and weight loss for patients with obesity.

He said, "I’ve always been interested in surgery. I had surgery as a kid and so I’ve always wanted to do medicine and then I always wanted to do surgery."

Bariatric surgery may help people with obesity lose weight, improve their quality of life and lower the risk or severity of obesity-related health problems, such as:

• Type 2 diabetes

• Heart disease

• High cholesterol

• Hypertension, or high blood pressure

• Joint pain

• Sleep apnea

• Some cancers

Many people who have weight loss surgery find that losing excess weight allows them to be more active. They may also see lower healthcare costs due to not needing as many medications or treatments to manage chronic health conditions. Plus, bariatric surgery can contribute to an improved mood and longer life.

Dr. Hosein's strives to combat guilt and body shaming for patients with obesity. He said, "From the patient’s perspective, I really do try to create a bit of a safe space."

Dr. Hosein's commitment and expertise shine through in his work with general surgery and weight loss procedures, focusing on patient support and positive results. He said, "Feeling fulfilled while feeling supported, that’s what working here is about."

Ochsner’s bariatric surgery services include a range of multidisciplinary support services, including dietitians and nurses. We follow our bariatric surgery patients for life to help each person reach their weight loss goals and be as healthy as possible. In addition to providing outstanding bariatric care, the Ochsner bariatric surgery team collaborates with Ochsner primary care doctors and specialists to ensure strong communication and continuity of care.