According to the Centers for Disease Control, in 2009, close to 30 percent of Indiana's population was overweight, with a body mass index, or BMI, over 30. With the rise in obesity, community efforts have increased to help people manage their weight. Many hospitals and private practices are now dedicated to weight loss management and offer patients specialized care.
Weight Loss Clinics
Weight loss clinics offer a variety of services as part of an individualized plan for weight management. Clinics are staffed by medical professionals, such as bariatric surgeons, dietitians, psychologists, physical therapists, nurses and medical assistants. The staff work together to develop an individualized plan that includes diet, exercise and, in some cases, medication or surgery. Effective weight management is not achieved by weight loss alone. The health benefits of weight loss are experienced only if the patient can maintain a healthy weight, which may require lifestyle changes.
Medically Supervised Weight Loss Programs
In the Merrilville area, clinics specialize in providing weight loss programs supervised by a physician. Programs are tailored to meet patients' specific needs. For example, a patient at Deaconness Weight Loss Solutions will meet with medical staff to determine his current health and fitness levels. Medical staff evaluate physical fitness, medical history, daily diet and psychological wellness. Based on the information received, a plan for healthy eating is developed that may or may not include prepackaged foods. An exercise plan is also designed for the patient. After starting the program, patients are monitored on a regular basis and encouraged by staff and peers.
Bariatric Surgery
Choosing to undergo bariatric surgery is the beginning of a journey. Surgical intervention is regarded as a last resort for patients who have not been able to maintain weight loss. Several different techniques exist for bariatric surgery. The most common are Roux-en-y gastric bypass and gastric banding, also known as Lap-band surgery. Surgical intervention provides a more permanent solution for weight loss by restricting food intake. The option of bariatric surgery is considered after other attempts at weight loss have failed. Even in these cases, specific criteria must be met for a patient to be considered eligible for surgery. These criteria vary by doctor and insurance company. An important factor in a successful surgery is the surgeon's experience. The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery provide listings of bariatric surgeons. According to its website, the team at LifeWeigh Bariatrics in Merrilville has been recognized as a Center of Excellence. This designation is given to surgeons and clinics that consistently demonstrate high levels of efficiency in bariatric surgery.
Choosing a Program
Before choosing a weight loss clinic, research the center's staff and services. Centers in Merrilville, such as Deaconness Weight Loss Solutions, Clarian Bariatrics and LifeWeigh Bariatrics, offer seminars for potential patients that provide information about procedure options, insurance requirements and post-operative restrictions.
Weight Loss Clinics in Merilville
In the Merilville, Indiana, area, several doctors specialize in weight loss. Such physicians include Paul Stanish, M.D., and Arun Jain, M.D., in Crawfordsville. In the area surrounding Merilville, medical clinics specializing in weight loss include Clarian Bariatrics, St. Francis Hospital and the Bariatric Center of Terre Haute.
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