Obesity is a serious and chronic disease, a poorly understood and complex condition that is the second-leading cause of preventable death in the United States, with smoking being the first. It can lead to many debilitating medical conditions. Overlake Weight Loss Programs offer a range of options, including metabolic and bariatric surgery, to help individuals achieve their weight-loss goals and regain control of their health. At Overlake, the challenges you face are understood, and support is provided throughout your weight-loss journey.
Nationally Accredited and Recognized for Quality and Patient Safety
The Overlake Bariatric Surgery Program is a designated Comprehensive Accredited Center by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP). Overlake Medical Center’s commitment to consistently delivering the best care possible is reflected in the program's five-star rating from Healthgrades for nine years. This distinction places the organization in the upper echelon of hospitals for Bariatric Surgery care nationwide. Overlake is the only medical center in the Seattle area to achieve the 5-star rating for Bariatric Surgery this year.
Why Choose Overlake's Bariatric Surgery Program?
Overlake’s Bariatric Surgery Program offers several compelling reasons to choose their services:
- Exceptional Expertise: Overlake takes pride in its team of highly skilled surgeons, nutritionists, nurses, and therapists who specialize in bariatric procedures. These experts are compassionate, experienced, and dedicated to providing personalized care to every patient.
- Comprehensive Approach: The program emphasizes the importance of nutrition, exercise, and mental well-being and surgical interventions. It provides the tools and resources needed for a successful, long-term weight-loss journey.
- Proven Results: With nearly 500 surgeries performed annually, Overlake's Bariatric Surgery Program is one of the largest and most reputable in the region. The program has a track record of successful outcomes and has been the recipient of several national accreditations, awards, and excellence designations.
- Minimally Invasive Techniques: All bariatric surgery procedures are performed laparoscopically or using the daVinci robotic-assisted system. These minimally invasive surgery techniques involve small “keyhole” incisions, leading to less pain and faster recovery times.
- Supportive Community: A supportive network of patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals is available every step of the way, offering encouragement, guidance, and inspiration.
- Tailored Treatment Plans: Recognizing that every patient is unique, the team works closely with individuals to develop a personalized treatment plan that aligns with their specific goals, medical history, and lifestyle.
Bariatric Surgery as an Effective Treatment
Weight loss, or bariatric, surgery is a safe and effective treatment that can have a long-lasting and meaningful impact on a person’s health. Weight loss surgery is effective and mainstream. The Overlake bariatric program, a collaboration between Overlake Medical Center and Kaiser Permanente, is an accredited MBSAQIP Comprehensive Center for Bariatric Surgery and has been the recipient of the Healthgrades® Bariatric Surgery Excellence Award for three consecutive years (2017-2019). This award recognizes the program as among the top 5% of hospitals evaluated in the nation. Overlake is the only hospital in Washington state to achieve a five-star rating for five consecutive years (2015-2019).
Surgery effectively improves or eliminates obesity-related conditions and is linked to living a longer life. The two minimally invasive surgical options offered at Overlake are the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and the sleeve gastrectomy. Both surgical options reduce the amount of food the stomach can hold, decrease hunger, and improve feelings of fullness. Each patient receives a personalized plan to help them lose weight and keep it off. Individuals contemplating surgery are encouraged to consider attending at least one support group prior to surgery to meet people with similar wellness goals. Surgery will result in losing the majority of the extra weight and is the first step to better health.
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Medical Weight Management
For those who don’t qualify for surgery or do not wish to undergo surgery, medical weight management is an effective option. Each person comes in with a different vision of what their life looks like after weight loss.
Do You Qualify for Bariatric Surgery?
Patient selection for metabolic and bariatric surgery is based on the National Institute of Health (NIH) guidelines. Individuals are considered candidates for surgery if they meet all the following criteria:
- Body mass index (BMI) is equal to or greater than 40 kg/m².
- BMI is greater than 35 kg/m² with an obesity-related health problem such as coronary artery heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or sleep apnea.
Success Story
Megan DeVeau's weight fluctuated for years. She started noticing her weight creeping up in her 30s, and no matter what she tried, she seemed to gain more than she lost. By Dec. 2022, she knew it was time for a change. Looking for a lasting solution, Megan turned to Overlake’s Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery Program, the most comprehensive surgical and medically monitored weight loss program in the Puget Sound area. Through the program, she was connected to a monthly support group where past and current patients shared their journeys. It was a judgment-free zone, which is hard to find.
With the support of a highly skilled care team, including a clinical dietitian, nurses, and bariatric surgeon Thien Nguyen, MD, Megan took a life-changing step in Oct. 2023, undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. One year later, she finally feels like herself again. Before, everything felt harder-like walking through mud. Now in her 40s, Megan has rediscovered her passion for curling and hiking-activities she hadn’t enjoyed in years. She stays connected with friends from her Overlake support group, meeting monthly for everything from 5Ks to casual outings.
Nutritional Services
Overlake Nutritional Services specializes in providing comprehensive medical nutrition therapy for adults. They offer practical dietary education and provide lifestyle and dietary recommendations, with the ability to create tailored diet programs for specific individuals that are based on proven nutritional practices.
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A full range of expertise and guidance is provided to ensure that all patients develop and maintain healthy dietary habits, including individually-designed educational materials, information on nutrition labels, healthy recipes, tips for eating away from home, and food shopping tips. When you see a specialist at Overlake's Outpatient Nutrition Services, you can count on sound nutritional guidance. Your lifestyle, physical condition, and food preferences will be considered in order to create a healthy, realistic eating plan. Typically, the nutritionist-a registered dietitian-will spend one hour with you during the initial visit.
Five Nutrition Tips for Weight Loss
If your provider has recommended weight loss for better health or to qualify for bariatric surgery, consider trying these five nutrition tips.
- Make food less visible in your home. Store all food out of sight.
- Change your food shopping habits. Avoid grocery shopping on an empty stomach. Make a shopping list and stick to it. Shop the supermarket “walls.” Avoid temptation by avoiding the aisles. Most whole foods are found along the perimeter of the store. Buy only the items that are necessary for you and your family. Avoid buying food items for other people that you may eat. If another family member is bringing trigger foods into your home, it is helpful to discuss how this affects you.
- Slow down. When eating a meal, start with protein first and then vegetables. Stop eating after 30 minutes. Do not try to “finish” a meal. Take small bites and chew food to a liquid texture before swallowing. Savor each bite. Pay attention to flavors, textures, and consistency.
- Portions are important. Carefully measure your food before eating. Put all extra food away before eating. Use small dishes, utensils, and glasses. This will make your portions look bigger. Practice leaving something on your plate.
- Make eating an isolated activity. Choose a spot at home just for eating.
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