According to the Administration for Community Living, the population of Americans aged 85 and older is projected to more than double from 6.6 million in 2019 to 14.4 million in 2040. On this episode of Butts & Guts, Dr. Mark Horattas, Chairman of the Department of Surgery at Cleveland Clinic Akron General, and Kelly Bahr, RN, Geriatric Surgery Coordinator in the Department of General Surgery at Cleveland Clinic Akron General, join Dr. Steele to discuss how surgical care evolves as we age. Listen to hear more about how older individuals and their families can address potential risk factors before surgery and how care teams can advocate for this vulnerable patient population from pre-op to recovery.

Madison Simons, PsyD, is a gastrointestinal (GI) psychologist in the Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition at Cleveland Clinic. She joins this episode of the Butts & Guts podcast to discuss the psychological effects that patients with GI disorders often experience. Listen to learn more about the gut-brain connection and treatment options available to those with motility disorders.

On this episode of Butts & Guts, Dr. Lauren Kopicky, a breast surgeon at Cleveland Clinic shares more about the goldilocks mastectomy surgery, an alternative breast reconstruction option for cancer patients who do not desire a traditional approach. Listen to learn more about this surgery, who may be a candidate, and the importance of exploring all options with your doctor.