On today’s episode, we speak with Dr. Yalini Vigneswaran and Dr. Kayla (Polcari) Councell about bariatric surgery, also known as weight-loss surgery. We discussed the impact of these surgeries on patient health, as well as some of the barriers our patients face in accessing these surgeries. We delve into some of the new weight loss medications on the market, and how patients can figure out what is best for them.

Yalini Vigneswaran, MD, MS, is an advanced minimally invasive gastrointestinal surgeon at the University of Chicago who specializes in esophageal and gastric disorders, including motility disorders, esophageal and gastroesophageal junction cancers, reflux disease and paraesophageal hernias. She has specific clinical expertise in esophageal surgery, including minimally invasive esophagectomy for both benign and malignant disease. Additionally, Dr. Vigneswaran has expertise in bariatric surgery and performs various weight loss procedures. Dr. Vigneswaran conducts clinical and translational research and is committed to improving outcomes for patients with gastroesophageal disorders and patients undergoing weight loss surgery.

Kayla (Polcari) Councell, MD, MPH, is a general surgery resident at the University of Chicago. She obtained her BS from the University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, IN. She then completed medical school and her public health training at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL. She is expected to complete her general surgery residency training in 2027.

“Deep Cuts: Exploring Equity in Surgery” comes to you from the Department of Surgery at the University of Chicago, which is located on Ojibwe, Odawa and Potawatomi land.

Our senior producer is Tony Liu. Our producers are Alia Abiad, Caroline Montag, and Chuka Onuh. Our editor and production coordinator is Nihar Rama. The intro song you hear at the beginning of our show is “Love, Money Part 2” from Chicago’s own Sen Morimoto off of Sooper Records. Our cover art is from Renaise Kim.

A special thanks this week to Beth Gabryszak. We’d also like to thank all of our listeners for supporting the show. Let us know -- what have you most enjoyed about our podcast? Where do you see room for improvement? You can reach out to us on Instagram or X at @deepcutssurgery. Additionally, you can find more information at our website, https://deepcuts.surgery.uchicago.edu/.