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SigMT Winter 2018

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18 | SignatureMT Text by Holly Matkin • Photography by John Mack Urban Affairs INTRODUCING The United States' obesity rate has been steadily increasing for decades, and Big Sky Country is no exception. "Obesity in Montana is above 20 percent now," explains Dr. Siddarth Kudav. "The societal perspective on what 'ideal weight' actually is has become really skewed." Dr. Kudav, a surgeon who specializes in bariatrics, joined the Great Falls Surgical Associates on August 1. He has been working to help patients to improve their health and quality of life ever since. "Montana has very few bariatric surgeons – maybe four statewide," Dr. Kudav explains. "If I can provide a service that people need, and can make it accessible to them, then that fills a huge need." Dr. Kudav has partnered with Benefis Health System's Weight Loss Services program, and is part of a four-member multidisciplinary team that also provides patients with psychological, dietary and general medical services. The team works with patients to develop the most appropriate methods for treatment, which may or may not include surgery. "Surgery is just one option for treatment," Dr. Kudav says. "But for some, it's really the only option." Weight Loss: The Team Approach MT S

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