Heartland Weight Loss Clinic offers a variety of surgical and non-surgical weight loss solutions tailored to individual needs. With a focus on personalized care and long-term success, the clinic provides comprehensive support throughout your weight loss journey. This article provides detailed information about the clinic's services, including surgical procedures like gastric sleeve and gastric bypass, non-surgical weight loss programs, and the overall patient experience.
Why Choose Heartland Weight Loss Clinic?
Patients travel from afar to choose Heartland Weight Loss Clinic, citing several key reasons:
- Personalized Care: Dr. LeGrand personally handles after-hours emergencies.
- Comprehensive In-Office Services: The clinic offers dietician visits and transnasal endoscopies.
- Close-Knit Environment: Patients and team members get to know each other personally.
- On-Site Dieticians: Dieticians work directly at Heartland Weight Loss Clinic, eliminating the need for patients to contact outside clinics for insurance-required visits.
- Health Coach Support: Health Coach Kristi Ewasko is available for in-person or virtual consultations.
Evaluating Your Weight Loss Options
Selecting a weight loss strategy involves considering several factors. Heartland Weight Loss Clinic begins by evaluating your Body Mass Index (BMI) and current health status. Your comfort level and commitment to surgical or non-surgical options then guide program development. The clinic provides ongoing support to monitor your health and progress throughout your weight loss journey.
Surgical Weight Loss Procedures
Heartland Weight Loss Clinic offers advanced surgical options, including gastric sleeve and gastric bypass, performed by Dr. LeGrand.
Gastric Sleeve Surgery
During a gastric sleeve surgery, Dr. LeGrand removes 80% to 85% of the stomach and staples the remaining portion together. This procedure, performed laparoscopically in about an hour under general anesthesia, involves small incisions in the abdomen to minimize scarring, surgical risks, and recovery time. A camera allows Dr. LeGrand to see the inside of your abdomen and safely make surgical adjustments to your stomach. Patients typically stay in the hospital for one or two nights.
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Metabolic Impact:
The vertical gastric sleeve is a metabolic surgery that dramatically alters neuro-hormonal pathways controlling hunger and calorie management. Removing part of the stomach reduces the production of ghrelin, the primary hormone driving hunger, leading to a significant decrease in appetite. Additionally, gastric sleeve surgery up-regulates GLP1, a hormone involved in glucose control, similar to how many newer diabetes treatments function.
Post-Operative Care and Results:
After surgery, patients are encouraged to walk frequently and perform breathing exercises. Blood-thinning medications are administered to prevent blood clots. The transition from IV fluids to oral intake and liquid pain medications is carefully managed. Individual results vary, but patients who comply with the clinic’s guidelines typically lose about 60% of their excess weight within 12 to 18 months. A post-op regimen begins immediately, with a smaller stomach limiting food intake.
Gastric Bypass Surgery
In gastric bypass surgery, Dr. LeGrand creates a small pouch that bypasses the lower part of your stomach, redirecting food from the top of the stomach straight into the small intestines.
Pre-Operative Preparation:
Leading up to surgery, patients undergo evaluations and education to prepare for post-operative success. This includes practicing new, healthy lifestyle skills, which can lead to initial weight loss and increased confidence. Two weeks before surgery, a strict diet is initiated, restricting calories and carbohydrates while increasing lean protein intake to help shrink the liver. Two days before surgery, patients switch to a liquid diet that may include broth, protein shakes, decaffeinated coffee, tea, and Jell-O, while avoiding caffeine.
Eligibility:
Patients who are too heavy for gastric bypass surgery based on their BMI may still be candidates for other weight loss procedures. Dr. LeGrand reviews each patient's medical history and current health to determine suitability for surgery, considering any weight-related health issues and the patient's ability to withstand the physical stress of surgery.
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Dietary Guidance:
Dieticians at Heartland Weight Loss Clinic provide personalized plans to meet dietary requirements and maximize nutrition. These plans help patients avoid overeating and stretching their new, smaller stomach, which can lead to weight regain.
Essential Post-Surgery Practices:
- Chew everything well before swallowing.
- Consume food and drinks separately, drinking liquids 30 minutes before each meal.
- Avoid calorie-packed foods and drinks with little nutritional value.
- Commit to your health and avoid buying unhealthy foods and drinks.
The Importance of Exercise:
Exercising three or more times per week is highly recommended for post-surgery success. Finding enjoyable activities helps patients stay engaged, and they will notice that exercise becomes easier as they lose weight.
Vitamin and Mineral Supplements:
Taking multiple vitamin and mineral supplements becomes necessary to compensate for reduced food intake. Recommended supplements include a multi-vitamin, calcium, and vitamin B12.
Psychological Effects and Support:
Patients may experience psychological effects after gastric sleeve surgery. If overeating was a common response to stress, continuing this behavior could stretch the stomach and lead to weight regain. Relationships may also change. Heartland Weight Loss Clinic offers customized plans to address these challenges.
Non-Surgical Weight Loss Programs
Heartland Weight Loss Clinic also offers non-surgical weight loss programs for individuals seeking alternatives to surgery.
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Weight Loss Injections
The clinic provides weight loss injections as a non-surgical option. The injection series is priced competitively, with costs subject to change after the initial three months. Doses are increased weekly until a maintenance dose is reached, typically nine to sixteen weeks into the series.
Biotin (Vitamin B7 or H) Injections
Heartland Weight Loss Clinic offers Biotin injections to promote hair growth. Many patients experience noticeable improvements in hair growth and overall hair health. Biotin has also been associated with increased metabolism, aiding in weight loss.
Vitamin B12 Injections
Since opening in January 2021, Heartland Weight Loss Clinic has offered Vitamin B12 injections as part of its non-surgical weight loss plans.
Mega-Burn Injections
Mega-Burn injections feature a blend of vitamins that help patients metabolize carbohydrates and fats. These injections contain methionine, inositol, choline, B-complex vitamins (B-1, B-2, B-3, B-6, B-9), L-carnitine, and Vitamin C. These components promote the breakdown of stored fat, decrease fat cell production, detoxify the liver, and lower cholesterol levels.
General Principles of Non-Surgical Weight Loss
Many individuals attempt non-surgical weight loss independently but experience disappointing results. Heartland Weight Loss Clinic offers customized plans to improve outcomes.
Key Strategies:
- Chew everything well before swallowing.
- Consume food and drinks separately, drinking liquids 30 minutes before each meal.
- Avoid calorie-packed foods and drinks with little nutritional value.
- Commit to your health and avoid buying unhealthy foods and drinks.
Moderation vs. Abstinence:
Moderators may occasionally and selectively consume junk food. However, individuals who struggle with moderation should abstain completely, as even a small taste of foods low in nutritional value can trigger cravings and hinder progress.
The Importance of Exercise:
Exercising three or more times per week is highly recommended for non-surgical weight loss success. Finding enjoyable activities helps patients stay engaged, and they will notice that exercise becomes easier as they lose weight.
Vitamin and Mineral Supplements:
Taking multiple vitamin and mineral supplements is necessary to support bodily changes during weight loss. Recommended supplements include a multi-vitamin, calcium, and vitamin B12 to maintain energy and metabolism.
Psychological Effects and Support:
Weight loss can bring about psychological changes. If overeating is a common response to stress, addressing this behavior is crucial for successful weight loss.
Preparing for Surgery
Patients preparing for weight loss surgery at Heartland Weight Loss Clinic undergo a comprehensive process to ensure the best possible outcomes.
Pre-Surgical Evaluations and Education
Patients complete several evaluations and education sessions to prepare for post-operative success. This includes practicing new, healthy lifestyle skills early on, as it takes time to develop new habits. Weight loss before surgery is common and can be an encouraging sign of long-term success.
Dietary Changes
Two weeks before surgery, patients begin a very strict diet to shrink the liver and prepare the body for a smooth transition to a new lifestyle. This diet restricts calories and carbohydrates while increasing the intake of lean proteins. Two days before surgery, patients switch to a liquid diet that may include broth and protein shakes. Decaffeinated coffee, tea, and Jell-O are permitted, while caffeine should be avoided as it could impact the procedure.
Individualized Approach
Heartland Weight Loss Clinic recognizes that no two patients are alike, and Dr. LeGrand tailors the surgical approach accordingly.
Post-Operative Care and Lifestyle Adjustments
After surgery, patients receive comprehensive post-operative care and guidance to support their long-term weight loss goals.
Hospital Stay and Initial Recovery
Following gastric sleeve surgery, patients typically stay in the hospital for one or two nights. The initial goals are to walk frequently and perform breathing exercises using an incentive spirometer. Blood-thinning medications are administered to prevent blood clots. The transition from IV fluids and medications to oral intake and liquid pain medications is carefully managed.
Discharge and Continued Care
Most patients are discharged when they feel completely comfortable, which may require an extra day of hospitalization. The post-op regimen begins immediately, with a smaller stomach limiting food intake.
Long-Term Lifestyle Changes
- Dietary Guidelines: Following a plan developed with Heartland Weight Loss Clinic dieticians is essential for meeting nutritional needs and avoiding overeating.
- Hydration: Drink a liquid 30 minutes before each meal to stay hydrated.
- Exercise: Regular physical activity is important for achieving post-surgery success.
- Vitamin and Mineral Supplements: Taking multiple vitamin and mineral supplements for the rest of your life will become necessary as your new, smaller stomach will hold less food, even nutrient-dense foods. Recommended supplements include a multi-vitamin, calcium, and vitamin B12.
- Psychological Support: Addressing emotional eating and other psychological effects is crucial for maintaining weight loss.
Patient Experience
Patients at Heartland Weight Loss Clinic report positive experiences, citing the clinic's personalized care, comprehensive services, and supportive environment.
Testimonials
One patient shared, "My weight stopped me from being active with my children and being able to do activities with them. It was also affecting my ability to work like I wanted to. Not having any energy always tired and hurting down in my back from being overweight…" This sentiment reflects the life-changing impact that Heartland Weight Loss Clinic can have on its patients.
Another patient noted, "I had researched for about 2 months before making an easy decision. I had also spoken to a couple of patients who had MASSIVE success. I was ready pretty instantly after finding out about it. Looked at another business that does this in Vegas, they ended up raising the price by double on me the month before!"