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Community Corner

Lourdes New Weight Loss Program Offers Surgical and Non-Surgical Options

Losing weight goes a long way when it comes to your health. It can lower blood pressure and cholesterol. Dropping pounds may also prevent or reverse diabetes, resolve sleep problems and improve self-esteem. But what if diets don’t work?

“With more than two-thirds of Americans overweight or obese, most of us would benefit from trimming down,” said Lisa Medvetz, MD, FACS, director of Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery at Lourdes Medical Center of Burlington County. “Sustained weight loss is difficult, but there are options.”

One of those options is the new Lourdes Comprehensive Medical and Surgical Weight Management Program. The program is designed with a multidisciplinary approach where physicians, dietitians and others help patients meet their specific weight-loss needs.

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“There are many people who are not candidates for surgery or are just not interested in surgery,” explains Dr. Medvetz. “Others may have undergone bariatric surgery, but the weight returns. We want to help all of our patients lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle.”

Patients entering the medical weight loss program start the process with an examination by a physician, followed by a meeting with a nutritionist. Patients are given special instructions to follow for two weeks and return to the office for a visit. “We’re not only interested in what you eat but when you eat and how you feel at that time,” says Dr. Medvetz. “Behavior modification plays an important role in sustained weight loss.”

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The medical team and patient then create an individualized wellness program. Diet, exercise and behavior management tips are used to help participants meet weight-loss goals. “We don’t want to make it difficult,” says Dr. Medvetz. “If you like Italian food, for example, we’ll help you find Italian foods that you can enjoy.”

Patients entering the surgical weight loss must first meet qualifications for weight-loss surgery. Patients must have attempted a managed weight-loss program with unsuccessful results, and will need certain medical clearances including a psychological review. A patient who wants bariatric surgery must also have a body mass index of 40 or a body mass index greater than 35 with significant medical factors, such as high blood pressure.  

“Once we know a patient is a candidate for surgery, we start with a physical examination and start to schedule medical clearance testing,” says Dr. Medvetz. “Patients are evaluated by all members of the multidisciplinary bariatric team. Over the course of several months, the program develops a close working relationship with the patient, who undergoes bariatric counseling and nutritional intervention, as well as behavioral and lifestyle modification.

“We want to make sure surgery is the appropriate option and that surgery is as successful as possible in helping our candidate maintain a healthy lifestyle.”

For more information about the Lourdes Comprehensive Medical and Surgical Weight Management Program, call 1-888-LOURDES (1-888-568-7337). 

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