Achieving lasting weight loss and enhanced well-being is possible through a variety of options available in Bellevue. Weight loss is more than just shedding pounds; it's about improving overall health and well-being. At Bellevue Plastic Surgeons and other facilities in the area, advanced weight management solutions address symptoms such as persistent weight gain, insulin resistance, low energy, and uncontrollable appetite. With personalized treatments, individuals can overcome the challenges of obesity, leading to a healthier weight and lifestyle.
Benefits of a Weight Loss Program
A structured weight loss program can yield numerous benefits, including:
- Increased energy levels and improved stamina
- Enhanced self-confidence and body image
- Reduced risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease
- Better regulation of blood sugar and insulin levels
- Alleviation of joint pain and improved mobility
- Improved sleep quality and reduced sleep apnea symptoms
- Healthier skin and reduced appearance of stretch marks
Weight Loss Options in Bellevue
Weight loss approaches vary, with options ranging from lifestyle adjustments to surgical interventions. Here’s an overview of available choices:
Diet and Exercise
The cornerstone of any weight loss journey involves a balanced diet and regular exercise. Mindful food choices, emphasizing low fat and sugar content while being high in protein and fiber, combined with at least 30 minutes of daily physical activity, can create a sustainable calorie deficit. This approach promotes weight loss and improves overall health.
Super B Slim Boost
Super B Slim Boost is a dietary supplement formulated with essential vitamins and nutrients, including Vitamin B12, Vitamin C, and Choline. It increases energy levels, enhances fat metabolism, suppresses appetite, and supports immune system and brain function. It’s an option for individuals who need a safe way to accelerate weight loss.
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Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
Hormonal imbalances can impede weight loss efforts. Hormone replacement therapy restores balance to key hormones like insulin, cortisol, thyroid hormones, and sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone. By correcting these imbalances, HRT can boost metabolism, reduce appetite, and improve overall body composition. Bellevue Plastic Surgeons offer bioidentical hormone therapy to help individuals regain control over their weight.
Semaglutide and Tirzepatide
Semaglutide and Tirzepatide are FDA-approved GLP-1 receptor agonists that mimic the effects of a natural hormone that regulates appetite and blood sugar levels. They suppress appetite, improve insulin sensitivity, and slow stomach emptying, helping individuals adhere to low-calorie diets and achieve substantial weight loss.
Medical Weight Loss
Medical weight loss management examines current lifestyle habits and adjusts them to help individuals reach their goal weight. Targeted areas include activity levels, nutrition, and other lifestyle changes. The Center for Weight Loss Surgery collaborates with individuals to create a realistic care plan, scheduling regular check-ins to monitor progress, adjust strategies, and identify ways to maintain motivation.
Surgical Weight Loss (Bariatric Surgery)
Bariatric surgery is the most effective and durable treatment for obesity and its related medical conditions. Patients can lose between 50-90% of their excess body weight. There is dramatic improvement, if not complete resolution, of obesity-related conditions including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea. Overall quality of life improves as patients experience significant decrease in pain, increased energy, and better mood.
Qualifications for bariatric surgery in most areas per insurance include:
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- BMI ≥ 40, or more than 100 pounds overweight.
- BMI ≥ 35 and at least one or more obesity-related co-morbidity such as type II diabetes (T2DM), hypertension, sleep apnea and other respiratory disorders, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, osteoarthritis, lipid abnormalities, gastrointestinal disorders, or heart disease.
- Inability to achieve a healthy weight loss sustained for a period of time with prior weight loss efforts.
Types of Bariatric Surgery Offered Near Bellevue, WA
- Sleeve gastrectomy: A portion of the stomach is removed to reduce stomach capacity. The new stomach is roughly the size of a banana, capable of holding approximately 150 ml. This is the most commonly performed bariatric surgery in the United States.
- Duodenal switch: Reduces the stomach capacity by performing a Sleeve Gastrectomy and bypassing the upper small intestine to decrease calorie absorption.
- Gastric bypass: The Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass is considered the gold standard bariatric procedure and the second most commonly performed bariatric surgery. A small stomach pouch is created from the stomach. The new stomach pouch is capable of holding approximately 15 to 30 ml. The small intestine is divided into two sections. The lower section (Roux limb) is connected to the newly created stomach pouch.
- Adjustable gastric band: An adjustable gastric band placed around the top of the stomach reduces its size and creates a sense of fullness with less food.
- Revision surgery: Addresses inadequate weight loss and complications from previous bariatric surgeries.
All bariatric surgery procedures are performed laparoscopically or by using the daVinci robotic-assisted system, which are minimally invasive surgery techniques in which the surgeon makes small “keyhole” incisions which leads to less pain and faster recovery times.
Endoscopic Weight Loss Procedures
Endoscopic weight loss procedures are non-surgical, minimally invasive procedures performed using an endoscope, a thin, flexible tube with a camera on the end that is inserted through the mouth and allows visualization of the digestive tract. This technique allows for procedures to be performed without any surgical incisions.
- Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty:
- Gastric Balloon:
- Transoral Outlet Reduction Endoscopic Revision:
- Endoscopic Revisions: Like stoma and gastric pouch reduction.
The procedures are quick and typically done in an outpatient setting as recovery is quicker.
Cosmetic Surgery
The Center for Weight Loss Surgery offers body contouring and cosmetic surgery after individuals achieve their weight loss goals.
- Tummy tuck: Removes excess abdominal skin and restores its firm appearance following weight loss or pregnancy.
- Lower body lift: Tightens the skin in targeted areas, including the hips, thighs, buttocks, and abdomen.
- Breast surgery: Can include breast augmentation, reduction, and lifts, depending on the desired outcome.
- Arm lift: Removes excess arm skin and reshapes the upper arms.
- Liposuction: Removes stubborn or unwanted body fat from the back, abdomen, hips, waist, and thighs.
Overlake Medical Center's Bariatric Surgery Program
Overlake Medical Center's Bariatric Surgery Program is a designated Comprehensive Accredited Center by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP). The program has also received a five-star rating from Healthgrades for nine years. Overlake takes pride in its team of highly skilled surgeons, nutritionists, nurses and therapists who specialize in bariatric procedures.
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The program offers tailored treatment plans, recognizing that every patient is unique. The team works closely with individuals to develop a personalized treatment plan that aligns with specific goals, medical history, and lifestyle.
Kaiser Permanente's Bariatric Surgery Program
At Kaiser Permanente, the first step is to tell your primary care physician that you are interested in bariatric surgery. Your physician can refer you to Bariatric Surgery at our Kaiser Permanente medical offices location in Bellevue, WA. The bariatric nurse will process your referral through Kaiser Permanente's Clinical Review Unit. The Clinical Review Unit evaluates the referral request to determine if the surgery is covered by your health plan and if you meet the medical criteria for bariatric surgery.
The Importance of Personalized Care
Obesity is a medical condition, and challenges like metabolism, persistent hunger, and cravings often have biological causes unique to each individual. Personalized care is therefore essential for effective weight loss. Working one-on-one with a physician to create a tailored weight loss plan can lead to lasting success. This approach combines clinical insight, evidence-based treatments, and attentive care to support individual goals every step of the way.