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Department General Surgery
Primary Location Cleveland Clinic Main Campus
Type of Doctor Adults Only
Languages English
Surgeon No
Locations Specialties & Treatments

Treatment & Services

  • Bariatric Medicine
  • Medical Weight Management
  • Metabolic Surgery
View all 3 Treatment & Services +

Specialty in Diseases & Conditions

  • Metabolic Complications of Obesity
  • Metabolic Syndrome
View all 2 Specialties +
Insurance

Insurance

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Biography

About W. Scott Butsch, MD

Dr. Butsch is the Director of Obesity Medicine in the Bariatric and Metabolic Institute at the Cleveland Clinic. He is a former Instructor in Medicine at Harvard Medical School (HMS) and worked at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Weight Center from 2007-2017. He completed a clinical nutrition fellowship at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and was the first physician in the U.S. to complete subspecialty fellowship in obesity medicine, first established at the HMS/MGH in 2007. He is a diplomat of the American Board of Obesity Medicine and a Fellow of The Obesity Society.

Dr. Butsch‘s clinical interests focus in the pharmacological management of obesity and the use of combination pharmacological therapies in bariatric surgical patients and special populations with severe obesity. He is an author of numerous chapters and manuscripts and lectures nationally and internationally on many topics in obesity and clinical nutrition.

His academic interests primarily focus on obesity education. He was selected to be the Curtis Prout Fellow in Medical Education at HMS in 2010 and was the Director of Education in the division of Nutrition at HMS from 2014-2018.  Dr. Butsch is a national leader in both obesity and nutrition education and his passion for teaching can be seen in the numerous educational programs he has created, the several professional committees on which he serves and chairs, and the Harvard CME Blackburn course in obesity medicine and the Cleveland Clinic’s Obesity Summit which he co-directs.

In line with his passion for the education and treatment of obesity, Dr. Butsch is a strong advocate for his patients. As the Chair of the Committee on Nutrition and Physical Activity in the Massachusetts Medical Society and the Chair of the Advocacy Committee in The Obesity Society, Dr. Butsch actively participates at both the state and federal levels to reduce weight stigma and discrimination and improve coverage and reimbursement for the treatment of obesity. He hopes to be engaged in a similar fashion in the State of Ohio.

Education & Professional Highlights

Education & Professional Highlights

Appointed
2018

Education & Fellowships

Fellowship - Massachusetts General Hospital
Obesity Medicine & Nutrition
Boston, MA USA
2008

Fellowship - University of Alabama
Clinical Nutrition
Birmingham, AL USA
2007

Residency - State University of New York
Chief Resident
Buffalo, NY USA
2005

Residency - State University of New York
Medicine
Buffalo, NY USA
2004

Medical Education - University of Buffalo
Buffalo, NY USA
2001

Graduate School - State University of New York
Natural Science - Interdisciplinary
Buffalo, NY USA
1996

Research & Publications

Research & Publications

See publications for W. Scott Butsch, MD.

(Disclaimer: This search is powered by PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. PubMed is a third-party website with no affiliation with Cleveland Clinic.)

Industry Relationships

Industry Relationships

Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists may collaborate with the pharmaceutical or medical device industries to help develop medical breakthroughs or provide medical expertise or education. Cleveland Clinic strives to make scientific advances that will benefit patient care and support outside relationships that promise public benefit. In order for the discoveries of Cleveland Clinic physicians' and scientists' laboratories and investigations to benefit the public, these discoveries must be commercialized in partnership with industry. As experts in their fields, Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists are often sought after by industry to consult, provide expertise and education.

To assure professional and commercial integrity in such matters, Cleveland Clinic maintains a program that reviews these collaborations and, when appropriate, puts measures in place to minimize bias that may result from ties to industry. Cleveland Clinic publicly discloses the names of companies when (i) its physicians/scientists receive $5,000 or more per year (or, in rare cases, equity or stock options) for speaking and consulting, (ii) its physicians/scientists serve as a fiduciary, (iii) its physicians/scientists receive or have the right to receive royalties or (iv) its physicians/ scientists hold any equity interest for the physician's/scientist's role as inventor, discoverer, developer, founder or consultant.* In publicly disclosing this information, Cleveland Clinic tries to provide information as accurately as possible about its physicians' and scientists' connections with industry.

As of 1/19/2023, Dr. Butsch has reported the financial relationships with the companies listed below. In general, patients should feel free to contact their doctor about any of the relationships and how the relationships are overseen by Cleveland Clinic. To learn more about Cleveland Clinic's policies on collaborations with industry and innovation management, go to our Integrity in Innovation page.

Consulting and/or Speaking. Dr. Butsch receives fees of $5,000 or more per year (or, in rare cases, equity or stock options) as a paid consultant, speaker or as a member of an advisory committee for the following companies:

  • Novo Nordisk, A/S

Public Health Service-Reportable Financial Conflicts of Interest. Cleveland Clinic scientists and physicians engage in basic, translational and clinical research activities, working to solve health problems, enhance patient care and improve quality of life for patients. Interactions with industry are essential to bringing the researchers' discoveries to the public, but can present the potential for conflicts of interest related to their research activities. Click here to view a listing of instances where Cleveland Clinic has identified a Public Health Service (PHS)-Reportable Financial Conflict of Interest and has put measures in place to ensure that, to the extent possible, the design, conduct and reporting of the research is free from bias.

* Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists subscribe to the guidance presented in the PhRMA Code on Interactions with Healthcare Professionals and the AdvaMed Code of Ethics on Interactions with Health Care Professionals. As such, gifts of substantial value are generally prohibited.

Patient Satisfaction Reviews

163 Patient Satisfaction Reviews

The Patient Satisfaction Rating is an average of all responses to the care provider related questions shown below from our nationally-recognized Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survey. Patients that are treated in outpatient or hospital environments may receive different surveys, and the volume of responses will vary by question.

Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.

The comments are submitted by patients and reflect their views and opinions. The comments are not endorsed by and do not necessarily reflect the views of Cleveland Clinic.

Overall Star Ratings
4.8 out of 5
Explains 4.8
Courtesy, Respect & Concern 4.9
Patient Rating of Doctor 4.8

25 Patient Comments

Reviewed on Apr 10, 2023

Dr. B and his team are the best. They are helping me tremendously I'm getting healthier

Reviewed on Mar 10, 2023

I especially liked that Dr. Butsch asked about my weight over the years. Childhood, trauma related weight gain. He was able to get a good history on me from our discussion.

Reviewed on Mar 7, 2023

Dr. Butsch was great.

Reviewed on Feb 28, 2023

Dr. Butsch is the best. He listens and explains clearly. He has empathy. He has helped me on my weight loss journey like no one else ever has. I am so grateful for his help!

Reviewed on Feb 24, 2023

Dr. Butsch is so caring, kind, Informative and helpful on my weight loss journey! I have learned so much about being a better, healthier version of myself.

Reviewed on Feb 21, 2023

Dr Butsch always takes the time to listen and never makes me feel rushed. It is clear that he truly cares about me and wants to custom tailor a treatment plan for me taking in to account my goals and specific situation. I feel very lucky to have him as my doctor!

Reviewed on Feb 20, 2023

The visit was excellent. Very nice doctor and good discussion. The followup was lacking and that is the reason for the "fair" resonse

Reviewed on Feb 6, 2023

I love Dr. Butsch! He really listens! He's a wonderful doctor!

Reviewed on Feb 1, 2023

Dr. Butsch is extremely professional and thorough. He has been very helpful with my health journey and I am thankful to have him as part of my medical team. I never felt judged instead I felt heard and he made sure he put on a journey for success and thus far everything has been working and I look forward to my continued health success through the guidance of Dr. Butsch and team.

Reviewed on Feb 1, 2023

Dr. Butsch was highly instructive and educational. I learned a great deal from my visit and insight into treatment options.

Reviewed on Jan 30, 2023

He is one of my favorite doctors at the Cleveland Clinic. He is smart, caring, informative, and kind. He is very thorough and answers all my questions.

Reviewed on Jan 20, 2023

Dr. Butsch was absolutely AMAZING!! I am seriously Afraid of going to the Dr's office and he made me feel so comfortable! He addressed all of my concerns and was very thorough in his approach.

Reviewed on Jan 9, 2023

Dr. Butsch REALLY cares about his patients and takes the time to explain everything in a very patient friendly way.

Reviewed on Jan 9, 2023

Dr. Butsch and his team truly care. And the ability to do video visits makes me 10times more likely to do all the necessary follow-ups I need without having to cancel/reschedule etc

Reviewed on Jan 9, 2023

Rated "ease of getting care you needed" because all providers are just very busy.

Reviewed on Dec 6, 2022

Doc spent the whole time typing on his computer. He treated me like I did not exist. When I asked a question he said I'm typing that all out

Reviewed on Nov 9, 2022

Dr Butsch is the best!

Reviewed on Sep 26, 2022

Doc has Wonderful bedside manners

Reviewed on Sep 21, 2022

I have never spent time with a doctor with a better bedside manner in my life. True care. Really exceptional.

Reviewed on Sep 21, 2022

It's very clear that Dr. Butsch fosters a good natured team experience within his practice!

Reviewed on Sep 16, 2022

Dr. Butsch is very knowledgeable about my history and takes everything into account when treating me. He spends the time he needs to and doesn't rush me out, making sure that he is thorough and treatment is well-understood.

Reviewed on Aug 26, 2022

Dr Butsch has very good bed side manners. He is respectful he cares about what I care about. He explains things so I can understand he's great.

Reviewed on Aug 23, 2022

Dr Butsch was fantastic. He was prepared, knew about each patient, was educational and personable.

Reviewed on Jun 6, 2022

Dr. Butsch is an amazing and kind physician who is always so helpful in working with me to help me find the best solutions/options regarding my care. Having video/virtual visits is incredibly helpful given that I am the primary caregiver for my son who requires 24/7 care due to severe physical and intellectual disabilities. I'm so grateful for the remote visit option that some of my caregivers can provide.

Reviewed on Jun 1, 2022

Love this doctor very helpful and understanding

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