Bariatric Surgery at Home: Frank Norton’s Journey with Massachusetts General Hospital’s Weight Center

November 27, 2024 Catherine Williams - Chief Editor Health

Frank Norton struggled with weight management for 54 years. His doctor recommended he visit Massachusetts General Hospital’s Weight Center to consider treatment options. There, Frank met a team that included a nutritionist, a psychologist, and weight loss experts. He chose to undergo weight loss surgery, also called bariatric surgery.

Three weeks before his surgery, Frank met with Dr. Denise Gee, the surgical director at the Weight Center. She informed him that he would need one night of monitoring after surgery. He could stay at Mass General or opt for Mass General Brigham Home Hospital.

Dr. Gee, the clinical director of surgical services at Home Hospital, explained that this program provides hospital-level care at home. If Frank chose this option, he could return home just hours after surgery. Dr. Gee would continue to oversee his care.

“Mass General Brigham Home Hospital has proven that high-quality clinical care can be safely delivered at home,” Dr. Gee stated. “An operation can change a person’s life. We want to support safe and quick recovery in the comfort of home.”

Frank’s surgery was a sleeve gastrectomy, which removes about 80% of the stomach.

Dr. Gee helped create a program for sleeve gastrectomy patients to receive post-surgery care at home. Mass General Brigham now offers this Home Hospital option to qualified patients who have had certain surgeries at their facilities.

Patients in the Home Hospital program stay under the care of their surgeon. They receive daily visits—either in person or online—from a Home Hospital surgical provider. A paramedic or nurse visits twice a day. The Home Hospital team also monitors vital signs remotely 24/7.

“After surgery, patients often feel pain and discomfort. It can be an emotional experience,” Dr. Gee explained. “Recovering at home, with family support, is a significant advantage. We provide this Home Hospital option to suitable patients, including those from underserved communities.”