Emory Healthcare is dedicated to supporting individuals in achieving and maintaining a healthy weight through a variety of comprehensive programs and services. Recognizing that healthy eating and weight management require consistent effort and planning, Emory provides resources ranging from nutritional guidance and lifestyle interventions to medical and surgical options.
Nutrition and Weight Management Resources at Emory
Emory offers various resources to help individuals make informed food choices and manage their weight effectively. These resources are available to both those at work and at home, emphasizing the importance of integrating healthy habits into daily life.
Weight Management Listserv
Those interested in receiving motivational tips and information about upcoming well-being programs can join the Weight Management Listserv. This service delivers valuable content directly to your inbox, helping you stay informed and motivated on your weight management journey.
Annual Nutrition Campaign
Emory promotes the development of better eating habits through its annual nutrition campaign. This initiative offers education and resources to help participants make healthier food choices.
Nutrition Education Course
In partnership with the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, Emory provides a foundational, evidence-based introduction to nutrition education. This course focuses on the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases through informed dietary practices.
Read also: Weight Loss Guide Andalusia, AL
Healthy Eating Options at Emory
Emory provides many fresh, low-calorie food options for those who want to eat healthily while on campus.
Emory Farmers Market
The Emory Farmers Market, held every Tuesday from 11:00 AM to 1:30 PM on McDonough Plaza, offers fresh, local produce and organic, sustainable products. This market supports local farmers and provides the Emory community with access to healthy, seasonal foods.
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
Individuals can buy local, seasonal food directly from farmers by purchasing a share, or membership, in a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program. This farm-to-table approach ensures fresh, high-quality ingredients while supporting the local agricultural community.
Emory Bariatric Center: Medical Weight Loss Services
The Emory Bariatric Center offers comprehensive obesity management services, including medical weight loss programs, surgical procedures, and lifestyle/behavioral services. Accredited by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP), the center ensures high standards of care and patient safety.
History and Locations
The Emory Bariatric Center at Midtown was established in 2000 by faculty from the Division of General and GI Surgery. Today, Emory continues to provide medical weight loss services at multiple accredited locations, ensuring accessibility for patients across the region.
Read also: Beef jerky: A high-protein option for shedding pounds?
Comprehensive Obesity Management
Recognizing that obesity is a common, serious, and costly condition, Emory offers a range of services to address its physical and emotional impact. The center’s comprehensive approach includes:
- Obesity Medication Management: Utilizing medications to aid in weight loss under the supervision of expert providers.
- Surgical Procedures: Offering advanced surgical options for significant weight loss.
- Lifestyle/Behavioral Services: Providing support and guidance to promote sustainable lifestyle changes.
Surgical Weight Loss Options
When other weight loss methods have proven ineffective, surgical options such as gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy may be considered.
Gastric Bypass Surgery
Gastric bypass surgery restricts food consumption and permanently alters the digestive process. This procedure is typically recommended only after other programs involving dieting, exercise, and medication have failed.
Sleeve Gastrectomy
Sleeve gastrectomy limits food intake by reducing the size of the stomach. During this procedure, a stapling device is used to divide the stomach vertically, leaving behind a thin, vertical sleeve. The excised portion of the stomach is then removed.
Body Contouring After Weight Loss
After significant weight loss, excess skin can become a concern. Emory board-certified surgeons are skilled in performing body contouring procedures to remove and tighten skin around the stomach, legs, arms, breasts, and neck. While these procedures are often considered cosmetic and not covered by insurance, exceptions may be made when they are deemed medically necessary.
Read also: Inspiring Health Transformation
FlyteHealth Partnership
Emory has partnered with FlyteHealth to offer virtual weight loss services to employees and adult dependents (18+) enrolled in the Aetna health plan. This partnership aims to support individuals in their weight loss journey with specialized care and resources.
Transition to FlyteHealth
Emory is expanding its services to help employees succeed with GLP-1 medications and make long-term sustainable health changes. Any employee looking to start a GLP-1 medication is encouraged to enroll with FlyteHealth, and those currently using a GLP-1 will need to transition to FlyteHealth by June 1, 2025. If you are already a patient of an Emory specialist in endocrinology, obesity medicine, or lifestyle medicine, then you can continue care with your provider.
What FlyteHealth Offers
FlyteHealth provides personalized, virtual weight loss services through a team of physicians, nurse practitioners, and dietitians. Their obesity specialists collaborate closely with Emory Healthcare providers to manage conditions related to weight and obesity. The program includes:
- Personalized Treatment Plans: Tailored to individual health history, lifestyle, and readiness to change.
- Behavior and Lifestyle Support: Guidance for developing sustainable habits.
- Mobile App Features: Tools for tracking food intake, activity levels, and weight.
- Virtual Visits and Messaging: Ongoing support from healthcare professionals.
- Customized Recipes: Healthy, delicious recipes tailored to dietary preferences.
- Educational Resources and Wellness Programs: Access to valuable information and programs.
- Pharmacotherapy Options: Medication support when appropriate.
Eligibility for FlyteHealth
Employees and adult dependents (18+) enrolled in an Emory-sponsored Aetna health plan with a BMI of 30 or higher-or 27 or higher with a weight-related condition-are eligible for FlyteHealth. The highest BMI recorded is considered if you have met the normal BMI with the support of a GLP1.
How FlyteHealth Works
- Initial Consultation: Meet with a FlyteHealth physician to design a personalized plan.
- Virtual Check-ins: Attend regular check-ins with registered dietitians and nurse practitioners.
- Access to Tools and Resources: Utilize the FlyteHealth app for ongoing support and tracking.
Participants in FlyteHealth’s program lose an average of 16% of their body weight and maintain long-term results. Their tailored approach uses a wide range of medications based on individual needs.
Medication and Appointment Coverage
Weight loss medications are covered if prescribed by a FlyteHealth provider or an approved Emory Healthcare provider specializing in endocrinology, obesity medicine, or lifestyle medicine. To learn more about Emory specialists' availability, contact the Emory EVIP at 404-778-3847.
Current prescriptions remain valid until June 1, 2025. Starting June 2, 2025, refills will require a prescription from FlyteHealth or an approved Emory provider.
For maintenance prescriptions for chronic conditions (e.g., high blood pressure, heart disease, asthma, diabetes, and birth control), you must use one of the following pharmacies for 90-day refills: CVS, Emory pharmacy, Target, Costco, Kroger, or select independent pharmacies. Attempting to fill prescriptions elsewhere will result in full retail costs.
Aetna POS plan: The POS Plan allows employees and adult dependents (18+) to receive services from the network of providers at no additional cost (labs cost will follow the plan parameters).
Aetna HSA plan: All eligible expenses for you or your covered dependents apply toward the annual deductible and maximum out-of-pocket.
If you choose not to engage with FlyteHealth or an approved Emory provider, you may still access weight loss medications, but they will not be covered under the employee health plan.
Eat Smart, Move More, Weigh Less Program
The Eat Smart, Move More, Weigh Less program is a 15-week, online weight management program that uses evidence-based healthy eating and physical activity strategies to help participants achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
Program Details
The program focuses on making sustainable lifestyle changes through improved nutrition and increased physical activity. Perfect attendance in all 15 live classes will earn a free t-shirt.
Eligibility
This program is open to all benefits-eligible employees of Emory University and Emory Healthcare. The registration deadline is February 29.
Registration
When filling out your registration form:
- Aetna members: Use the voucher code EmoryMarch2024Aetna.
Emory Bariatric Center: Expert Weight Loss Treatments
Obesity is a chronic and complex condition linked to many life-limiting health concerns, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and sleep apnea. The Bariatric Center at Emory Healthcare provides weight loss treatments and services you can trust.
Personalized Approach
The Bariatric Center experts take the time to understand your health history and goals. To make an appointment, please call 404-778-7777.
Injury Prevention Research Center at Emory (IPRCE)
The Injury Prevention Research Center at Emory (IPRCE) is one of 12 organizations awarded funding from the National Council on Aging and Administration for Community Living to enhance Georgia’s fall prevention coalition. The center received a nearly $150,000 grant to work collaboratively with stakeholders across the state to reduce falls and minimize risks among aging adults.
tags: #Emory #Healthcare #weight #loss #program