Butts & Guts: A Cleveland Clinic Digestive Health Podcast

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.

Patients who undergo surgery for rectal cancer are often faced with a "new normal." Colorectal Surgeon Dr. Marylise Boutros of Cleveland Clinic Florida joins Butts & Guts to discuss Low Anterior Resection Syndrome (LARS), a group of symptoms patients may experience after treatment. Listen to learn more about how to recognize triggers and take control of symptoms.

On this episode of Butts & Guts, Colorectal Surgeon Dr. Anna Spivak and Urogynecologist Dr. Shannon Wallace discuss the complexities of multicompartment pelvic organ prolapse. Listen to learn more about how their multidisciplinary team works to restore the quality of life of patients experiencing prolapse. 

The use of weight loss medications like Ozempic and Mounjaro has become a hot topic. Dr. W. Scott Butsch, Director of Obesity Medicine in the Bariatric and Metabolic Institute at Cleveland Clinic joins the podcast to break down how these medications work and the overall impact of how we care for and talk about the disease of obesity.

On this episode of the Butts & Guts podcast, Dr. Amit Bhatt, a gastroenterologist and Co-Director of the Endoluminal Surgery Center at Cleveland Clinic shares more about endoscopic submucosal dissection. Listen to learn more about this cutting-edge procedure used to remove tumors from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

Dr. Ryan Berglund, a Urologist and member of the Urologic Oncology team at the Cleveland Clinic joins the Butts & Guts podcast to discuss advancements in the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of prostate cancer. Listen to learn more.

World-renowned Gastroenterologist in the Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition at Cleveland Clinic and Section Head of the Sanford R. Weiss MD Center for Hereditary Colorectal Neoplasia, Dr. Carol Burke joins Butts & Guts for Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month to share the latest updates in screening methods. From cutting-edge technologies to evolving trends, listen to learn more about how these advances are reshaping early detection and prevention of colorectal cancer.

On this episode of the Butts & Guts podcast, Anne Banas, MSN, SPRN-CNP, Diane Cowles, RN, and Christine Arnica, MSSA, LISW join Dr. Steele to highlight the work being done at the Cleveland Clinic Pediatric Center for Airway, Voice and Swallowing Disorders. Listen to learn more about the multidisciplinary care they provide to children with aerodigestive challenges.