Your Body’s Check Engine Light—Don’t Wait for It to Flash

Robotic surgery has transformed how surgeons care for patients with new innovations yet again. At Wellstar, continued investment in advanced technology is helping elevate surgical care across specialties—giving patients the option to have more precise and less invasive procedures that are easier to recover from.

“Technology continues to advance to provide newer and safer alternatives to treat our patients,” said Dr. Aaron Bolduc, a general surgeon at Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center. “As we adopt this new technology, we are able to lead the way in patient care with excellent outcomes.

Wellstar has expanded its robotic surgery program with the addition of the Da Vinci 5 robotic surgical system—also known as the DV5—at most locations, along with new applications for single-port surgery. These innovations build on years of robotic experience while helping clinicians deliver world-class care and train the physicians of the future.

Fast recoveries

The latest technologies continue to redefine what’s possible in surgery, including even shorter hospital stays and faster recovery timelines.

Dr. Jay Singh, Wellstar chief surgical officer and a colon and rectal surgeon, said significantly smaller incisions make a big impact: “That is potentially huge from the standpoint of patient satisfaction, decreased pain, quicker recovery time, a decrease in narcotics used and a quicker return to work.”

The impact is so great that some robotic procedures that previously required a few nights in the hospital are now being done as outpatient procedures, allowing patients to recover in the comfort of their homes.

DV5: A new level of precision

The DV5 represents a significant step forward in robotic surgery—notably for surgeon awareness and control. One of its most notable advancements is force feedback: “The ability to sense hard and soft tissue during robotic surgeries is a game changer,” said Dr. Julie Chang, an obstetrics and gynecology specialist. She was the first surgeon to use the DV5 system at Wellstar Cobb Medical Center.

“Surgeries will be even more precise and efficient with this tool, which will further reduce post-operative pain and make recovery time faster,” said Dr. Chang.

The machine’s sensory feedback means surgeons can apply the exact amount of pressure needed.

“The DV5 allows the surgeon to sense how much push-or-pull force they apply to delicate structures in the body,” said Dr. Fritz Jean-Pierre, a bariatric surgeon at Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center. “Less strain means less trauma and potential injury, leading to faster patient recovery.”

Wellstar’s robotic program is grounded in decades of experience, combined with a commitment to adopt best‑in‑class technology.

“Having performed robotic surgery for well over 20 years, I started with the very first Da Vinci surgical robot,” said Dr. Scott Miller, Wellstar director of robotic surgical services and a urologist at Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center. “I was amazed when that came around, but I never cease to be amazed by every advancement. Now we have introduced the DV5 model to most Wellstar locations with 10,000 times processing power.”

With that comes enhanced visualization, instrument responsiveness and precision across a wide range of procedures.

“The DV5 is ideal for many urologic procedures, such as prostate and kidney removal, bladder surgery and urinary tract reconstruction,” Dr. Miller said. “The improved range-of-motion and visualization features help us protect healthy tissues and nerves.”

People who seek medical help for weight management are used to hearing that results take time. Imagine the surprise of some patients with type 2 diabetes when their blood sugar improves meaningfully within days or weeks of bariatric surgery.

It happens—and it’s a dramatic sign of the benefits bariatric surgery holds for many patients, said Dr. Fritz Jean-Pierre, a board-certified bariatric surgeon and national leader in minimally invasive and robotic techniques for the treatment of obesity and metabolic disorders.

When changes in blood sugar following bariatric and metabolic surgery were first observed in the 1990s, the reason was a mystery. But today, medical experts know more about the hormones that regulate hunger and insulin production. They also know more about how bariatric surgery affects the same hormones.

Understanding type 2 diabetes: It starts with insulin resistance

Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar. Insulin resistance happens when muscle, fat and liver cells fail to respond to insulin, causing the pancreas to overproduce the hormone. Eventually, blood sugar rises. Patients may develop prediabetes or type 2 diabetes.

Another hormone that affects weight is GLP-1. It’s naturally produced in the gut after eating. GLP-1 helps regulate blood sugar by:

• Stimulating insulin
• Suppressing glucagon, a hormone the pancreas produces that raises blood glucose levels
• Slowing digestion

Many recognize GLP-1 today because of the class of weight-management drugs such as Ozempic, Zepbound and Wegovy. These medications mimic and amplify the effects of the GLP-1 hormone.

How bariatric surgery affects hunger hormones and improves health

Several types of bariatric surgery are performed at Wellstar. While each procedure alters the digestive system differently, all appear to influence the hormones that regulate hunger and blood sugar.

Hormones, such as GLP-1, that promote fullness and insulin sensitivity increase after surgery. The liver produces less excess glucose, and the body becomes more sensitive to insulin. Other hormones—like ghrelin, which signals the brain that the stomach is empty—decrease after surgery.

“We've known since the early 2000s that after bariatric surgery, you have a boost in GLP-1 hormone production,” said Dr. Jean-Pierre. “Patients notice improvements in their blood sugars and that feeling of fullness.”

As a result of hormonal changes triggered by surgery, patients who are not yet on insulin replacement therapy may enter diabetes remission relatively soon, according to Dr. Jean-Pierre.

“The patient may have lost only 5 or 10 pounds yet their blood sugars have become normalized,” he said. “Their diabetes is completely controlled without medication after surgery. That’s the best-case scenario.”

For other patients, improved blood sugar may take longer. Still, clinical trials show that bariatric surgery leads to diabetes remission in 33% to 90% of individuals at one year after bariatric and metabolic surgery.¹

“These surgeries are not just changing or shrinking the patient’s stomach,” Dr. Jean-Pierre said. “We're changing their metabolisms in a way that will help improve a lot of related health conditions like high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol and fatty liver disease.”

Long-term health benefits of bariatric surgery

There are many health risks of type 2 diabetes and obesity. Those include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea and joint pain. Unmanaged diabetes can lead to damage to nerves, kidneys, eyes and heart. Stroke risk is also higher in people with diabetes.

Physicians have more treatment options for obesity than ever, including surgery, medications and lifestyle changes. Wellstar Center of Best Health is a comprehensive weight management clinic with clinicians, dietitians, psychologists and exercise physiologists who work collaboratively with surgeons.

Together, they learn about each patient’s situation and develop a personalized treatment plan with the best chance of success. Some patients may benefit from both surgery and medication.

“Obesity is a chronic, relapsing, multi-variable disease process that we have to approach from different angles in order to best treat it,” said Dr. Jean-Pierre. “You must approach it comprehensively, including nutrition and exercise. Medication itself is not a magic bullet. Surgery is not a magic bullet.”

Wellstar’s weight loss teams support patients throughout their healthcare journey. The goal is to see patients reach their goals and return for follow-up care in even better health.

“It’s amazing when all of these treatment options fire in the right direction and we see the health improvements that come along with surgery,” such as:

• Better diabetes control
• Lower blood pressure
• Less joint inflammation and pain
• End of the need to use a CPAP for sleep apnea

“Most surgeons fix something, then you don't see your patient again. With bariatric surgery, it's a very different relationship,” Dr. Jean-Pierre said. “We see our patients for a long period of time afterward. We get to share in their successes and see their accomplishments as they lose that weight.”

Learn more about obesity medicine at Wellstar and make an appointment to see an obesity specialist at one of our locations.

For many families, care teams are a consistent part of a child’s life—supporting them from early childhood through adolescence. But as teens step into adulthood, one important transition can be easy to miss: moving from a pediatrician to an adult primary care provider.

This “handoff” is more than a change in doctors. It’s a key step in helping teens take ownership of their health and build habits that last a lifetime.

Timing the transition

“The transition usually happens between ages 17 and 19,” said Dr. Nicole Carter, a Wellstar Children’s of Georgia pediatrician. “The decision is primarily influenced by the teen and their family. Some young adults choose to move to an adult primary care provider sooner because they feel uncomfortable being in a setting with younger children.”

As one of Georgia’s largest and most integrated health systems, Wellstar offers an expansive network of primary care providers across the state—making it easier for families to find a convenient location and continue care as their needs change.

Why does this transition matter? For young adults navigating a new stage of life, healthcare can quickly fall down the priority list—especially when they feel healthy. Staying connected to care is essential.

“It's important to continue to emphasize preventive healthcare and yearly well checks,” Dr. Carter said. “Young adults also need a primary care physician they can turn to with questions about their mental and physical health.”

Gaining independence

One of the biggest adjustments during this handoff is who takes the lead.

“In adult care, the physician speaks directly to their patient. A parent can still be present or involved, but the young adult becomes the primary decision-maker,” Dr. Carter said.

That shift doesn’t happen overnight. Preparing early helps teens feel more confident managing their health, including having time alone with their provider to ask questions and speak openly.

Families can support their teen’s independence by creating space for honest conversations at home too.

“Important discussions include topics like sexuality and vaccines. It’s essential that teens and young adults are aware of their options,” said Dr. Carter.

As teens begin to play a more active role, parents and caregivers naturally step back.

“Caregivers should start allowing teens to answer questions asked by their provider and take the lead in any discussions, only filling in information when needed,” Dr. Carter said.

Avoiding gaps in care

Without a clear plan, it’s easy for care to fall through the cracks during this transition, especially around milestones like graduation.

“Before transitioning care, make sure any medications are refilled for three to six months and schedule a new patient appointment with an adult provider as soon as possible,” Dr. Carter said.

Establishing care early helps ensure there’s no disruption and gives teens a provider they can rely on as their needs evolve.

Building habits for life

The move to adult primary care is also a chance to reinforce habits that support long-term health.

With guidance from care teams and support from parents and caregivers, teens can stay on top of annual checkups, ask questions and take an active role in their care. Families can also help by building everyday skills, from understanding medical history to managing prescriptions.

Staying within a connected system like Wellstar can help simplify that process—making it easier to schedule appointments, access records and keep care on track as young adults take on more responsibility.

These early habits make a lasting difference. Together, we can help young adults move into their next phase with confidence and a stronger sense of ownership over their health.

Learn more about transitioning to adult primary care or find a provider near you.