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Pushing the Boundaries of Innovation and Care for Obesity Treatment
Designing innovative treatments for obesity remains the focus for Thomas R. McCarty, MD, MPH. Arriving at Houston Methodist only two years ago, he has implemented a comprehensive bariatric endoscopy program, pushing the boundaries of innovation and individualized patient care.
“In our first two years, we’ve grown the program exponentially to be one of the most active programs in the U.S.,” said McCarty, Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine. “We have tremendous support from the hospital and a great multidisciplinary team with our weight loss center. ”
In addition to innovative minimally invasive treatments, he utilizes novel strategies that combine injectable weight loss medications with incisionless bariatric endoscopy procedures and is actively recruiting for an exciting new clinical trial to treat both diabetes and obesity.
Thomas R. McCarty, MD, MPH
“Combining endoscopic suturing procedures with these novel, injectable weight-loss medications have been exciting,” said McCarty.
“We are helping patients achieve weight loss results similar to bariatric surgery (20 percent to 30 percent total body weight loss) without having to undergo the knife.”
McCarty noted that for the first time in more than a decade, the U.S. has seen a decrease in the rate of obesity, though the prevalence overall remains high—around 40 percent of the population. “It’s a struggle. There’s still a stigma about obesity and treatment for obesity,” he added.
But questions remain about long-term use.
“High cost is one thing, but an even bigger concern is what we do with the medications long-term,” he said. “Weight regains when patients discontinue these drugs that that is a real issue.”
We are helping patients achieve weight loss results similar to bariatric surgery (20 percent to 30 percent total body weight loss) without having to undergo the knife.
Thomas R. McCarty, MD, MPH
With endoscopic therapy, there is a fundamental change in a patient’s anatomy. “This change allows patients to no longer be dependent on these drugs long-term, and decreases the risk for weight regain,” emphasized McCarty. Early six- to 12-month data shows 25 percent to 30 percent weight loss with the combined use of bariatric endoscopy and weight loss medicines. The combination lowers the risk for weight regain when drugs are stopped.
Along with this medical and endoscopic approach, McCarty is hopeful for a new trial that he will be conducting with endocrinologist Abhishek Kansara, MD. “We’ve just started recruiting for this study aimed to treat obesity as well as diabetes.”
The study is a randomized trial that involves a one-time endoscopic treatment to the small intestine utilizing pulsed electric current. This energy aims to regenerate healthy cells in the intestine to improve blood sugar control and slow the progression of Type 2 diabetes.
These new offerings aim to ensure a robust, comprehensive and individualized treatment approach for obesity and its comorbid conditions.
“Any treatment is going to need lifestyle changes,” McCarty said. “The downstream consequences, like diabetes, heart disease and sleep apnea are worth the fight. At Houston Methodist, we are pushing the envelope to help,”