Beginning this week, the Swedish Weight Loss Surgery Program expanded to the Eastside.

Medical Director Ross McMahon will accept new patients each Wednesday at the Swedish Issaquah Specialty Care Center, as well as hosting free informational sessions on Wednesdays for people who would like to learn more about surgical options.

“The Pacific Northwest region is experiencing a tremendous growth in the number of residents with morbid obesity. In 1985, less than 10 percent of Washington state residents were morbidly obese, whereas today more than 20 percent fit into that category,” McMahon said in a press release. “Bariatric surgery has undergone tremendous growth over the past few years due to the rapid rise in obesity rates and Swedish is looking to lead the charge locally by providing a very effective approach to addressing morbid obesity.”

For more information, visit www.swedish.org/wls.