Losing weight and maintaining that loss can be a significant challenge for many. If you're struggling, remember that you're not alone, and effective help is available through programs like the Health Partners Weight Loss Program. These programs offer a range of options, from medical weight management to bariatric surgery, tailored to individual needs.
Understanding the Health Partners Approach
Health Partners Bariatric Surgery and Weight Center understands that weight loss is a complex issue that goes beyond simply eating less and moving more. Their approach involves creating customized treatment plans, whether through non-surgical programs or weight loss surgery. With a team approach refined over 40 years, they are nationally recognized for their commitment to patient care. The programs are designed to improve both physical and mental well-being through personalized care, education, and ongoing support.
Bariatric Surgery: A Surgical Weight Loss Treatment Option
For individuals with a high body mass index (BMI) who haven't achieved adequate weight loss through medical interventions, bariatric surgery may be the recommended treatment option. Health Partners collaborates with surgical teams to coordinate care and provide extensive follow-up support after surgery. Their surgeries are performed laparoscopically, using minimally invasive incisions, which reduces pain, complications, and recovery time.
As a leader in weight loss surgery, Health Partners is nationally accredited by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP). They were also among the first practices in the region to integrate surgical and medical programs, ensuring comprehensive care before, during, and after surgery.
To learn more about bariatric surgery, Health Partners offers a free weight loss educational video series covering various surgical services, results, and potential risks.
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Types of Bariatric Surgery Offered
Gastric Bypass Surgery (Roux-en-Y): This procedure creates a small stomach pouch and attaches a Y-shaped section of the small intestine to it. This alteration affects hormone signaling, leading to weight loss beyond what lifestyle changes alone can achieve. Gastric bypass surgery can significantly reduce or eliminate health problems related to obesity, improving patients' quality of life within the first year.
Gastric Sleeve Surgery: Also known as vertical sleeve gastrectomy, this procedure removes over half of the stomach, creating a small tube or "sleeve". This changes the hormone signaling between the gut and brain, enhancing weight loss outcomes. Benefits include a reduced risk of complications, less abdominal pain, and minimal impact on vitamin and nutrient absorption.
Duodenal Switch Surgery: This complex but highly effective surgery combines gastric sleeve surgery and gastric bypass surgery. It creates a narrow, tube-shaped stomach and reroutes it to a large segment of the small intestine. Duodenal switch surgery results in the most significant weight loss and greatly reduces health risks associated with obesity. However, it carries risks such as long-term vitamin and mineral deficiencies and lifestyle challenges due to malabsorption.
Revision Surgeries: As understanding of obesity evolves, it's clear that some past procedures may not provide adequate long-term weight loss. For individuals who have undergone such surgeries and are not seeing the desired results, revision procedures are available. Revision surgery involves modifying a previous gastric procedure to improve health or weight loss outcomes. These operations can be complex and should be performed by an experienced surgical center.
What to Expect at the Health Partners Center
Health Partners offers a comprehensive approach to weight loss, providing care throughout the entire process. When you visit, you can expect:
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- An intake visit with a bariatrician or physician assistant to review your health history.
- An appointment with a dietitian to assess your eating habits and patterns.
- A personalized treatment plan for medical weight loss or weight loss surgery.
- Extensive follow-up care and support.
- Additional support options like physical therapy, psychological support, or group sessions (both online and in-person).
- A specialized care team including bariatricians, physician assistants, certified bariatric nurses, registered dietitians, psychologists, and physical therapists.
The Benefits of Losing Weight
Weight loss can have significant benefits for both physical and mental health. It can reduce cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure, as well as the risk of heart attack, stroke, diabetes, and cancer. Weight loss often improves existing health conditions like sleep apnea and arthritis and can prevent future illnesses like type 2 diabetes. Many patients experience renewed energy, increased activity levels, higher self-esteem, and an improved sense of overall well-being.
Medical Weight Management: A Non-Surgical Approach
Medical weight management is a program designed to help individuals lose weight and maintain that loss without surgery. It focuses on building daily habits for a healthy lifestyle, offering guidance, support, and accountability from a team of experts including doctors and dietitians. Depending on individual needs, the team may also include nurses, physical therapists, and psychologists.
Good candidates for medical weight management include those who have struggled to maintain lifestyle changes or who cannot undergo bariatric surgery due to medical or psychological conditions.
Key Components of Medical Weight Management
Diet: A weight loss diet typically includes fewer refined carbs and more fiber-rich foods and lean meats.
Exercise: An exercise program tailored to individual needs, including cardio, strength training, and flexibility exercises.
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Addressing Emotional and Psychological Factors: Recognizing the connection between food and emotions, the program helps individuals address their attitudes and emotional responses related to food.
Medications: Prescription weight loss medications may be used as part of a comprehensive program, working best when combined with a balanced diet and regular exercise.
Prescription Weight Loss Medications
Phentermine: This medication stimulates the nervous system, reduces appetite, and promotes feelings of fullness.
Bupropion-Naltrexone: A combination of an antidepressant and a medication used for opioid and alcohol use disorder, this medication can help with weight loss and maintenance.
Orlistat: This medication reduces the body's ability to digest fat, leading to fewer calories absorbed.
GLP-1 Agonists: These medications slow stomach emptying, increasing feelings of fullness and reducing the release of glucagon, a hormone that increases hunger. Semaglutide is a GLP-1 agonist found to be effective for long-term weight loss.
Setmelanotide: This injection is used for obesity caused by specific genetic mutations, helping to activate melanocortin 4 receptors in the brain, which can reduce hunger and boost metabolism.
Ozempic: While primarily used for type 2 diabetes, Ozempic contains the active ingredient semaglutide, which is also found in the weight loss medication Wegovy. It works by keeping the stomach full longer, reducing appetite.
Accessing Care Through Video Visits
Health Partners offers video visits to provide convenient access to bariatric surgery and weight management experts. These visits allow for consultations, intakes, and follow-up appointments for various services, including:
- Gastric bypass and gastric sleeve surgeries
- Revision surgeries
- Non-surgical, medical weight management programs
- Nutrition counseling
- Mental health support
Video visits are billed the same as in-person visits, making it easier to receive the support you need, when and where you need it.
Nationally Recognized Bariatric Treatment Center
Health Partners Bariatric Surgery and Weight Center is nationally recognized as a comprehensive center by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP). This accreditation signifies the organization's commitment to providing top-quality bariatric care and ensuring the best possible outcomes for each patient. Evidence shows that MBSAQIP-accredited programs have the lowest complication rates and the best patient results.
Health Partners has also received recognition from Blue Cross and Blue Shield with a Blue Distinction Plus (+) designation for bariatric surgery, as well as being named a Center of Excellence by insurance providers PreferredOne and United Resource Network, and a preferred provider by Medica and HealthPartners.
St. Peter's Health Partners Bariatric and Metabolic Care Program
St. Peter's Health Partners Bariatric and Metabolic Care program offers a physician-guided weight management program with experts from multiple specialties, including bariatric surgery and obesity medicine. This program focuses on identifying individual weight loss challenges and delivering care that exceeds national quality and safety standards.
Key features of the program include:
- National Recognition: Comprehensive Center Accreditation designation from the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) at St. Peter's Hospital.
- Team Approach: Access to a team of specialists including bariatric surgeons, licensed mental health counselors, board-certified physicians specializing in obesity, and registered dietitians.
- Personalized Care: Tailored weight loss journeys with frequent check-ins to ensure progress.
- Minimally Invasive Techniques: Surgery performed using small incisions and sophisticated technologies.
- Excellent Results: A focus on helping patients lose weight and keep it off through lasting relationships and support.
The program offers both surgical and non-surgical medical weight loss services, with insurance coverage available for eligible individuals. Support groups and online resources are also available.