Inova Weight Loss Services is dedicated to helping individuals achieve a lifetime of improved health through personalized and comprehensive weight loss programs. Understanding that losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight is a lifelong journey, Inova offers a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating proper nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle modifications to ensure successful and long-lasting outcomes.
The Inova Weight Loss Services Team
At Inova, you gain access to a world-class team of experts specializing in various aspects of weight loss. This team includes:
- Bariatric surgeons
- Bariatricians
- Dietitians
- Exercise physiologists
- Psychiatrists
- Psychologists
- Nurses with special expertise in weight loss
This diverse team collaborates to provide a holistic approach to weight management, addressing not only the physical but also the psychological and emotional aspects of weight loss.
Weight Loss Surgery at Inova Fair Oaks Hospital
Inova Fair Oaks Hospital is a Center of Excellence for Bariatric Surgery, offering a comprehensive weight loss surgery program designed to meet your every need. Bariatric surgery, also known as weight loss surgery, is a medical procedure for individuals who are severely overweight or obese and have not been successful in losing weight through other methods.
Is Weight Loss Surgery Right for You?
Bariatric surgery procedures are typically considered for people who are 100 pounds or more overweight and have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or greater. Other criteria include the lack of success with other weight loss therapies such as diet, exercise, and medications.
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Types of Bariatric Surgery Offered at Inova
Inova Fair Oaks Hospital offers several minimally invasive surgical procedures, including:
- Mini-incision gastric bypass
- Laparoscopic gastric bypass
- Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy
- Laparoscopic gastric banding
Minimally invasive procedures decrease pain and scarring, help speed recovery, and reduce complications. Your surgeon is the expert in deciding whether an open surgery or a minimally invasive surgery is most appropriate for you. Some patients cannot undergo laparoscopic minimally invasive surgery because of the presence of dense scar tissue from prior surgery.
Benefits of Weight Loss Surgery
Weight loss surgery is considered a safe and effective treatment option for individuals with severe obesity or obesity-related health conditions who have not achieved significant weight loss with other methods. Studies show that bariatric surgery can effectively improve and resolve many co-morbid conditions that often accompany excessive weight. One or more co-morbid conditions often accompany excessive weight of 100 pounds or more and a high BMI. The good news is that weight loss surgery frequently improves or even gets rid of co-morbid conditions.
Understanding the Risks and Considerations
Weight loss surgery, like any surgical procedure, carries certain risks and potential complications. It's essential to discuss the potential risks and benefits of weight loss surgery with your healthcare provider and make an informed decision based on your individual health status, risk factors, and treatment goals.
Some of the potential risks of weight loss surgery include:
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- Bleeding
- Complications due to anesthesia and medications
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Separation of areas that are stitched or stapled together, known as dehiscence
- Infections
- Leaks from staple lines
- Marginal ulcers
- Pulmonary problems
- Spleen injury
- Narrowing of created surgical passage, known as stenosis
The Importance of Post-Surgery Lifestyle Changes
Weight loss surgery alone does not guarantee patients long-term success. Keeping the weight off requires ongoing dietary, exercise, and behavioral changes. For example, if you consume more food than your stomach pouch is supposed to hold, this can cause the pouch to stretch and can result in weight gain or even more serious medical consequences.
Dietary Guidelines After Weight Loss Surgery
Yes, both before and after weight loss surgery, you will typically need to follow special dietary guidelines to prepare for surgery, facilitate recovery, and achieve optimal outcomes. After surgery, you'll follow a gradual diet progression, starting with clear liquids and progressing to full liquids, pureed foods, soft foods, and eventually solid foods over several weeks or months. It's important to adhere to dietary guidelines and portion control recommendations to promote healing and weight loss.
Vitamin and Supplement Needs
Yes, it is highly likely that you will need to take vitamins or supplements after weight loss surgery. Weight loss surgery, particularly procedures like gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy, can affect nutrient absorption and may lead to deficiencies in certain vitamins and minerals over time.
Recovery and Return to Normal Activities
The recovery period after weight loss surgery can vary depending on the type of procedure, individual factors, and any complications that may arise.
- Hospital Stay: Most patients spend 1 to 3 days in the hospital following weight loss surgery.
- Immediate Postoperative Period: In the immediate postoperative period, you may experience some discomfort, pain, fatigue, and nausea as your body adjusts to the surgical changes. Pain medications, anti-nausea medications, and other supportive measures will be provided to help manage symptoms.
- Activity Level: During the first few weeks after surgery, it's essential to prioritize rest and avoid strenuous physical activity or heavy lifting to allow your body to heal properly. Light walking and gentle movements are encouraged to prevent blood clots and promote circulation.
- Return to Work: In general, most patients can expect to return to work within 2 to 4 weeks after surgery, although this may vary.
- Gradual Resumption of Activities: As you continue to recover and regain strength, you can gradually resume normal activities and exercise routines, following your healthcare provider's guidance and any specific recommendations provided during postoperative follow-up appointments.
- Follow-Up Care: Regular follow-up appointments with your surgeon and healthcare team are essential for monitoring your recovery progress, addressing any concerns or complications, and providing guidance on diet, activity, and long-term care.
Inova Medical Weight Loss Program
Inova Medical Weight Loss Program offers excellent value for your money and gives you access to board-certified physicians and specially trained, master's-degree prepared dietitians, exercise specialists, nurse specialists and counselors. The Inova Medical Weight Loss Program is directed by Inova's board-certified bariatrician.
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Program Components
- Comprehensive Assessment: A full body composition analysis will be done to assess your current health and nutritional status.
- Personalized Consultations: Participants receive two private sessions with a dietitian and a personal fitness assessment with the exercise specialist.
- Educational Materials: Educational materials are provided over the course of the program.
- Weekly Classes: Each class includes a 30-minute "Tools for Success" lecture by a weight loss expert.
- Medical Supervision: Medical supervision by Inova's team of medical professionals is an important part of the program.
Getting Started with the Program
To begin the program, you will receive information on required documentation, including a clearance from your primary care provider. Lab tests and an EKG are also required. If you do not have a primary care physician, Inova can assist you with finding one. Once your documentation is received and reviewed by Inova's medical team, you will be contacted with the next steps. If you are ready to begin your weight loss program, complete the registration process and start your journey. The program cost starts at $700* and includes all the education, tools, tips and motivation you need to begin losing weight and meet your weight loss goals. The required physical, blood work and EKG will be performed by your own primary care physician and will be billed to your insurance. The Medical Weight Loss Program team will do everything it can to help you reach your goal, but there is no guarantee. We hope your weekly class becomes a priority in your schedule.
Insurance Coverage for Weight Loss Surgery
Insurance coverage for weight loss surgery varies depending on factors such as the type of insurance plan, specific policy provisions, medical necessity criteria, and individual patient circumstances.
Free Informational Webinars
Inova offers free informational weight loss seminars and webinars to introduce you to its excellent surgeons and services. All webinars are presented by one of Inova's experienced bariatric and metabolic surgeons. A facilitator who is also a former weight loss surgery patient coordinates the online event and presents a patientâs perspective. These webinars provide an opportunity to:
- Meet expert weight loss surgeons
- Learn about the different types of procedures, including gastric banding, gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, and others
- Ask questions and get informed about the best solution for you
- Watch the presentation from the privacy of your own home
Webinar Registration Requirements
The webinars are live seminars accessed via the Internet that allow participants to ask questions and receive answers in real time. You may be asked to download a small Citrix software program so you can access the webinar. The download can take a couple of minutes, so itâs best to test your system ahead of time. Note: your access code and web link are unique to you and cannot be forwarded for use by any other individual. A friend or family member is welcome to participate in the webinar with you but will need to register separately. If you have any questions, please contact Inova at 703-348-4716.