Welcome to the SVH Weight Management Clinic

WELCOME TO THE SVH-WEIGHT MANAGEMENT CLINIC

I welcome you to the first edition of the SVH-Weight Management Clinic e-newsletter. We plan to send these letters on a regular basis to provide educational information as well as to keep you updated about what is going on at the WMC. We invite your comments and suggestions for improving the newsletter and our services at the clinic.

Currently, in our country, over 66% of the population is overweight or obese. This is presenting quite a significant health concern for our country. Carrying extra weight is associated with increased medical issues to include:

Reaching a healthier weight can result in decreased health risks and an improved quality of day-to-day living.

At the Weight Management Clinic, we offer a comprehensive approach to weight loss. We have a team of educated professionals that can help you lose ten pounds to 200+ pounds. We realize that weight loss is not as simple as “eating less” and “exercising more.” Weight regulation is multifactorial in origin. There are genetic, biochemical, hormonal, and metabolic factors that interact to varying degrees from one person to the next to result in your current weight.

Given that there are many different factors involved in weight gain, we offer a comprehensive approach to weight loss. Healthy eating and increased activity remain the foundation in the weight loss treatment pyramid. In addition, medication and bariatric surgery are excellent tools to help you reach and maintain your new weight.

Not everyone needs nor wants bariatric surgery. We recognize that and offer an individualized medical weight loss program to meet your needs. We will not be putting you on a diet. We will be teaching you the skills to manage your weight in a healthy manner. We also provide an ongoing weight maintenance program.

For those people who are surgical weight loss candidates, we offer both the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and Adjustable Gastric Banding (LapBanding) bariatric surgeries. We want you to go into your surgery as prepared and as educated as possible so you will be successful with your new surgical tool. Thus, there is a preparation process for each of these surgeries. I can appreciate that once you have made the decision to have bariatric surgery, you may want it “yesterday!” However, I cannot stress enough the importance of preparing adequately so the surgery will be a success for you.

Whether you choose to lose weight medically or surgically, YOUR investment in the process is of most importance. We are here to provide you with education, support, and medical monitoring. We look forward to working with you!

Kathleen T. Baskett, M.D.
Medical Director

“The reason most people never reach their goals is that they don’t define them, or ever seriously consider them as believable or achievable” – Dennis Watley

LIFESTYLE

The foundation for reaching a healthier weight is lifestyle modification and the development of healthier habits. My job is to help you gradually make those lifestyle changes that will enhance your quality of life. We do not want to change you –we want to help you modify what you are doing now to help you achieve your realistic goals. Remember, because you will not be dieting, there will no forbidden foods. Yet, paying attention to portion control and the frequency of eating will be important.

I will meet with you one-on-one when you come in to see the doctor. I also teach classes that meet weekly. The format is open, and they function as both support and for learning. These classes are very helpful-but not required.

Classes are from 12 Noon – 1:00 P.M. on Wednesday and Thursday (with rare exceptions) for our medical weight loss patients. These classes are open to everyone and there is no additional charge. The classes for our surgical patients are offered two Wednesdays a month. Surgery patients are required to attend one surgery educational class.

I look forward to meeting you and working with you!

Gayle Gorder, BA, M.ED.

Weight Mangagement Clinic Recipe for Success: Southwest Chicken Salad

“DIET” VS “EATING PLAN”

Many of you have been on diets over the years. Most likely, you did lose some weight while following your diet. Yet, the lost weight probably did return after going off of your diet. You may have gained even an additional amount of weight. However, a diet is something that you stop. So let’s reframe this thinking and begin to talk about your “eating plan” and not “dieting.”

At the SVH-WMC, we stress a healthy eating plan for each person. We want you to eat foods that you enjoy. Our goal is to help you develop healthy habits and tweak lifestyle a bit so that you will be able to reach a healthier weight. We also want you to develop the skills to manage your weight long-term.

Replacing old eating habits with healthier ones requires a plan. Unlike a diet, your new eating plan is ongoing, individualized, and an evolving process. To increase your awareness of what you eat, how much, and when, we will ask you to keep a food record.

Record keeping is a great tool that will increase your awareness of the types and quantities of foods you eat. With this increased awareness, you then have the ability to make changes. Because you will not be on a diet, all food is fair game. However, we will help you determine where you need to be calorie-wise to bring about weight loss. Ultimately, weight loss comes down to you taking in fewer calories than what you are expending or burning. You will have a calorie budget and you will decide how to “spend” your calories so to speak. Of course, we will work with you on nutrition and balance.

The Greek word for diet is “diaita” which means “manner of living.” We are here to help you develop a healthier manner of living that will help you meet your weight loss goals!

Les Jones, PA-C, R.D.

BARIATRIC SURGERY

Bariatric or weight loss surgery is an effective treatment option for those struggling with morbid obesity and other health conditions directly affected by weight. Weight loss surgery procedures are categorized as restrictive, malabsorptive, or a combination of restrictive and malabsorptive.

The most commonly performed restrictive procedure is adjustable gastric banding (AGB) – LapBanding - where a small pouch is created by encircling the upper stomach with a silicone band. The band can be placed laparoscopically and adjusted as needed. Weight loss is achieved because the band restricts the amount of food you can eat, and it also delays the passage of food into the rest of the stomach. Thus, you will feel full for a longer period of time. People who have had AGB can expect to lose 40-60% of their excess body weight.

Gastric bypass surgery (GBPS) is a combined restrictive and malabsorptive procedure and the most frequently performed weight loss surgery in the U.S. A small stomach pouch with a ½-1 ounce capacity is created and attached to the jejunum. Weight loss is achieved because the remnant stomach and duodenum have no contact with food which decreases the absorption of calories. In addition, the small stomach pouch causes early satiety and restricts the amount of food that can be consumed. People who have had GBPS can expect to lose 50-85% of their excess body weight.

Those who meet the following criteria are considered to be candidates for a weight loss

surgery procedure:
• Body mass index of 40 or greater or 35 or greater with co-morbid conditions such has sleep apnea, diabetes, and hypertension
• Age 21-65
• No endocrine cause of obesity
• Acceptable medical/operative risk
• Absence of drug or alcohol abuse
• Nicotine-free for 3 months
• Psychologically stable
• Understands surgical procedure and risks
• Motivated with realistic expectations
• Dedicated to life-style/behavioral changes and commitment to life-long follow-up
If you would like more information about bariatric surgery please contact the Weight Management Clinic at 248-4580.

Misty Curtiss, R.N., CBN
Bariatric Nurse Coordintator