Obesity affects nearly 42 percent of American adults, predisposing them to conditions like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, hypertension, osteoarthritis, and certain cancers, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Many individuals find it challenging to lose weight, despite awareness of these consequences. Scripps Clinic Center for Weight Management and Bariatric Surgery offers comprehensive weight loss programs in the region. The center’s multidisciplinary staff empowers patients to lose weight, sustain their weight loss, and establish healthy habits.
Scripps Weight Management Offerings
The Scripps Clinic Center for Weight Management and Bariatric Surgery distinguishes itself as a comprehensive weight loss program. The center's dedicated staff has assisted numerous patients in achieving and maintaining weight loss, as well as adopting sustainable, healthy habits.
When a patient seeks help, the priority is to identify the underlying reasons for their weight loss challenges. This involves reviewing their weight history and identifying any medical conditions or medications that may be contributing to their weight issues, which allows for the development of a tailored plan.
The Five Pillars of Weight Loss
The Scripps Clinic Center for Weight Management and Bariatric Surgery designs individualized weight loss programs based on research and evidence-based approaches. Dr. Harris and her colleagues focus on the five pillars of weight loss:
- Diet
- Exercise
- Mental health
- Medication
- Surgery
Physicians develop personalized plans that address specific patient needs. Testing resting metabolic rate and having a registered dietitian create a meal plan that accurately addresses caloric needs are common practices.
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Bariatric Surgery Support Services
The center provides supportive services for patients considering or who have undergone bariatric surgery, such as bariatric surgery support groups. These groups allow patients to share experiences with others. The services offered depend on the patients' individual needs. Many people trying to lose weight are well-informed, but the program offers additional support.
What Makes the Scripps Weight Loss Program World Class?
The Scripps Clinic Center for Weight Management and Bariatric Surgery and its medically supervised weight-loss programs are world-class. Scripps’ center is among the largest insurance-based weight loss clinics in the country and its offerings are based on research and best practices. The center employs endocrinologists, surgeons, certified diabetes educators, and advanced practice providers specializing in weight management, obesity, and bariatric surgery. The medical weight loss program also collaborates with the Scripps Clinic Nutrition and Metabolic Research Center to explore new methods to help people with weight issues and conduct clinical trials for possible new treatments for obesity, diabetes and hypertension.
The individualized approach is key, as many clinics offer one-size-fits-all solutions. Scripps treats obesity and its associated medical conditions, focusing on long-term health rather than quick fixes.
Promising Weight-Loss Medications
While there is no "magic bullet" for weight loss, new pharmaceutical drugs offer hope for those struggling to maintain a healthy weight. Medications like Wegovy, available by prescription only, contain an injectable form of the gastrointestinal hormone GLP-1. This semaglutide, previously used in lower doses to treat diabetes, helps regulate appetite.
Combined with diet and exercise, these medications can help overweight or obese patients lose up to 15 percent of their body weight over time. The medication is approved for adults with a body mass index of 30 or more, or 27 or more with at least one coexisting weight-related medical problem like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol.
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These drugs represent a "game changer" in the fight against obesity, according to Ken Fujioka, MD, director of the Nutrition and Metabolic Research Center at Scripps Clinic. The semaglutide medication helps override the body's response to weight loss.
When food enters the small intestine, the body releases GLP-1 and other hormones that signal the brain to stop eating and allow weight loss. The medication mimics this hormone. While the medication could mean weight loss success for many, it can be expensive and may not be covered by insurance. It is also not yet available in generic form.
The Difficulty of Losing and Maintaining Weight
Losing weight and keeping it off often requires more than willpower. The body is programmed to store excess fat as a survival mechanism, unable to distinguish between a diet and starvation. As weight is lost, the body slows down metabolism to compensate, and this metabolic decrease is permanent. For every 2.2 pounds lost, metabolism lowers by 30 calories, making weight maintenance harder and regain easier.
Gaining back more weight than initially lost can lead to the body establishing a new, higher weight as its normal set point. The semaglutide medication helps override this response.
Bariatric Surgery at Scripps
Choosing a bariatric surgeon and support team committed to your health is crucial if you're considering weight loss surgery. Scripps offers accredited bariatric surgery services by experienced bariatric surgeons in San Diego and Southern California. People throughout Southern California turn to Scripps for weight loss surgery because of a reputation for providing care that’s safe and effective, and for excellent physical and emotional support services.
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The goal is to transform the lives of those struggling with obesity. The Scripps bariatric surgery program combines outstanding clinical care with vital support services. Scripps physicians have demonstrated track records of favorable outcomes following bariatric surgery. Scripps is a trusted partner for Kaiser Permanente. Scripps bariatric surgeons use the latest minimally invasive (laparoscopic) techniques. They also have experience with laparoscopic revision bariatric surgery, which could involve removing a gastric band and performing a sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass.
Comprehensive support services ensure patients receive the necessary care and guidance before and after bariatric surgery. From monthly post-bariatric surgery support groups and one-on-one lifestyle coaching to scheduled follow-up care with the bariatric team, Scripps provides ongoing support as patients' needs and goals evolve.
Non-Surgical Weight Loss Programs
Scripps offers several non-surgical, customized, medically supervised weight loss programs for patients who don't meet the medical criteria for bariatric surgery or are not yet ready for it. Scripps Clinic Center for Weight Management and Bariatric Surgery provides the most comprehensive weight loss clinic in San Diego.
The medically supervised weight management program offers a personalized approach that includes fitness, life coaching, meal replacement plans, and medical treatments, if appropriate. Patients may be referred to the bariatric surgery program if weight loss surgery is suitable for them. Scripps Clinic is home to one of San Diego’s premier bariatric surgery programs, with office locations in Del Mar and Hillcrest.
Scripps customizes safe and healthy weight loss programs to help patients reach and maintain their health goals, whether they need to lose 20 pounds or more than 200. Follow-up visits with a registered dietitian can help keep patients on track. The RD will help make necessary adjustments to the eating plan so patients can navigate temptations and maintain a healthy weight.
Accreditation and Research
Scripps is accredited by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP), a joint program of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. The programs have passed a rigorous review process, proving that they maintain high quality standards in patient care and facilities and reporting outcomes to the MBSAQIP database.
With weight loss, metabolism will likely change. Re-measuring RMR will help determine an appropriate calorie level to reignite weight loss or maintain a new body weight. Scripps understands that obesity affects much more than the number on the scale and recognizes the physical, emotional, and social burdens patients carry. Scripps will remain a partner for as long as needed.
Scripps Clinic Center for Weight Management and Bariatric Surgery is continually researching new methods to help people who have weight issues. Through collaboration with Scripps Clinic Nutrition and Metabolic Research Center, patients may have the opportunity to participate in clinical trials for medical devices and medications being tested as possible treatments for obesity, diabetes, and hypertension.
Gastric Sleeve Surgery
Gastric sleeve surgery, also known as vertical sleeve gastrectomy or gastric sleeve resection, is a weight loss surgery performed by Scripps bariatric surgeons in San Diego. It is a type of bariatric surgery used to permanently reduce the size of the stomach. Scripps bariatric surgeons use the latest in minimally invasive (laparoscopic) techniques. After gastric sleeve surgery, the shape of the remaining stomach pouch is long and skinny.
During the gastric sleeve procedure, the bariatric surgeon removes 80% of the stomach. The remaining portion, shaped like a tube or “sleeve,” can hold only about two ounces of food at any given time, compared to an average stomach that can hold up to two quarts. Scripps also has experience with laparoscopic revision bariatric surgery.
Gastric sleeve surgery is one of several bariatric surgery procedures Scripps offers to help people lose weight safely and effectively. The doctor will discuss which procedure is ideal based on individual health history and weight loss goals. Scripps understands that while bariatric surgery can be life-changing, successfully keeping the weight off requires ongoing support.