The Obesity Treatment Center (CTO) at Santa Casa de Porto Alegre celebrates 20 years of operation this Friday (04/26). In addition to the institutional achievement, the milestone represents the transformation of more than 8,600 lives who sought help against obesity at the institution and achieved a healthier life.
Consolidated as a reference center for the treatment of obesity in Rio Grande do Sul, the CTO was opened in March 2004 with an annual average of 40 bariatric surgeries and today performs more than 1,200 procedures per year. “Two decades have been dedicated to offering a personalized plan for each patient, with continuous medical and nutritional guidance, in addition to a multidisciplinary team prepared to support and guide each stage of the treatment”, highlights surgeon Luiz Alberto De Carli, coordinator of the CTO.
Also made up of nutritionists, endocrinologists, psychologists, psychiatrists and other professionals, the team is responsible for complete monitoring of patients, whether in clinical or surgical treatment. As the doctor points out, in addition to compromising quality of life, obesity also increases the risk of several other serious diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension and heart disease. “When undergoing bariatric surgery, for example, patients lose, on average, 40 kg. But it is important to remember that surgery is not a magic solution, it requires permanent lifestyle changes, including a balanced diet and regular physical activity”, explains De Carli.
All about obesity treatment
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the CTO and clarify doubts about the treatment of obesity, Santa Casa is holding a free event open to the public this Friday (26th), at 3:30 pm. At the meeting, the institution’s multidisciplinary team will present the different types of treatment available, with space for questions, in addition to welcoming patients and former patients to share their experiences. The event takes place at the Hugo Gerdau Amphitheater, accessed via Rua Professor Annes Dias, nº 295.
Weight Donation Campaign
The event also marks the launch of the “Weight Donation” campaign. According to De Carli, over the 20 years of operation, the CTO has already contributed to the loss of more than 300 tons of weight by its patients. “Now is the time to transform all this result into solidarity”, he highlights. The idea of the campaign is to encourage patients and society to help achieve the same number of food donations to Casa Madre Ana, responsible for welcoming patients and their families – coming from the interior or other states and without financial means – during treatment. at Santa Casa de Porto Alegre.
Donations can be made directly to the Obesity Treatment Center, located on the Mezzanine of Hospital Santa Rita (Av. Independência, nº 75).
Event celebrating 20 years of the Obesity Treatment Center
When: Friday, April 26
Where: Hugo Gerdau Amphitheater of Santa Casa de Porto Alegre
Time: 3:30 pm
Free entrance
