Obesity is a complex medical condition affecting how the body stores and uses energy, often due to excess visceral fat. TriHealth Weight Management, based in Cincinnati, Ohio, offers a comprehensive approach to weight loss, encompassing both surgical and non-surgical options, behavioral health support, and a multidisciplinary team of experts. The program aims to help individuals safely reach their personal weight loss goals and improve their overall health and well-being.
Why Choose TriHealth for Weight Management?
TriHealth Weight Management stands out as a nationally recognized Comprehensive Center with Obesity Medicine, accredited by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP). This accreditation signifies a commitment to providing high-quality care and achieving optimal outcomes for patients seeking weight management solutions. Whether considering medical weight management or bariatric surgery, patients can be confident in the expertise and comprehensive support offered at TriHealth.
Understanding the TriHealth Approach
TriHealth Weight Management recognizes that obesity is more than just a matter of eating too much and moving too little. It's a disease that disrupts metabolism, increasing the risk of health conditions like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, and joint pain. Therefore, the program addresses the whole person, focusing on:
- Understanding metabolism
- Supporting mental health
- Guiding patients through healthy eating
- Promoting movement
- Facilitating long-term behavior changes
Surgical Weight Loss Options at TriHealth
TriHealth's surgical teams have performed more than 3,000 bariatric procedures at Good Samaritan Hospital. The surgeries offered here at TriHealth include the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (frequently termed the “bypass”), and the sleeve gastrectomy. We also frequently perform various revisional surgeries - this includes revising a previous surgery, removing laparoscopic adjustable gastric bands (aka “lap bands”), or converting from the band or the sleeve to the bypass. The program offers several surgical options, including:
- Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy: A portion of the stomach is removed, creating a sleeve configuration. According to ASMBS data, patients who undergo a sleeve gastrectomy lose an average of 80 to 100 pounds in their first year after surgery.
- Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass: A small stomach pouch is created, and the small intestine is rearranged. For gastric bypass surgery, the average weight loss is 100 to 150 pounds.
Is Bariatric Surgery Safe?
According to the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS), bariatric surgery is as safe as common procedures such as gallbladder surgery, hip replacement surgery and hysterectomies, with a mortality rate of 0.2 percent - a rate far lower than most elective operations performed today. The most common procedures, gastric bypass surgery and sleeve gastrectomy, are performed laparoscopically- through small keyhole incisions. Some patients express concerns about diet and bowel functions following bariatric surgery, but with the assistance of a daily vitamin regimen and the guidance from a dietician, patients receive the nutrients they need following bariatric surgery. Patients can maintain a healthy diet with smaller amounts of food and retain healthy bowel functions, according to ASMBS.
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Bariatric Surgery Candidacy and the Surgical Weight Loss Program
Candidacy for bariatric surgery is based on insurance requirements. This may vary depending on your insurance, but the general requirements are based on your body mass index (BMI) and the presence of medical problems related to the disease of obesity, a term known as “co-morbidities.”
At your initial consultation with your bariatric surgery, if you are a good candidate and you desire to proceed, you can join the surgical weight loss program. Our program takes 3-6 months to complete, which is based on meeting the requirements determined by your insurance. These requirements involve dietician visits, support group meetings, evaluation by our mental health counselors, and clearances from other providers. Each patient must be cleared by a heart doctor, and some require clearances from lung doctors, sleep doctors, or other providers based on your health history.
After surgery, patients typically stay in the hospital for only one night. In the hospital, we make sure patients are up and moving that same day - this really helps decrease the risk of blood clots.
You’ll see us at 1 week, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and then yearly thereafter. At 1 week, you can start eating some foods (such as eggs) along with your liquids, slowly advancing your diet at each visit until week 6, where you reach the final “advanced” stage. This is the “diet” you will follow forever (diet is in quotations - because ultimately, you will be eating real foods and normal textures, focusing on protein, fiber, and fluids!).
Nonsurgical Weight Management Options
TriHealth Weight Management offers comprehensive nonsurgical weight management options. TriHealth provides care for 1 in 3 Greater Cincinnatians. We are a large, integrated, not-for-profit system centered around two acute care hospitals, Bethesda North and Good Samaritan, that are linked to more than 130 additional sites providing outstanding care.
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Behavioral Health Support
Weight management is more than a simple math equation. Emotional and behavioral support helps achieve long-term results and relieve stress through difficult adjustments. Services offered include stress management, depression, anxiety, weight management and more.
The Multidisciplinary Team
The TriHealth Weight Management Program boasts a multidisciplinary team of experts, ensuring comprehensive and individualized care. The team includes:
- Board-certified Obesity Medicine Specialists
- Bariatric surgeons
- Advanced practice providers (APRNs) assisting with patient education, pre- and post-operative care, and ongoing management
- Dietitians
- Exercise physiologists
- Behavioral health providers
- Patient navigators
Addressing Misconceptions About Bariatric Surgery
Katherine Meister MD, a bariatric surgeon with TriHealth Weight Management says that she hears these concerns from some of her patients, but she educates them on the misconceptions surrounding bariatric surgery, such as concerns regarding safety and lack of control. Additionally, Dr. Meister imparts knowledge regarding the benefits of bariatric surgery for the treatment of chronic obesity.
The Role of GLP-1 Medications
We have seen advertising for GLP-1 treatments to avoid the surgery route. The GLP-1 medications, which were newly developed to treat the diseases of overweight and obesity, also increase a person’s metabolism - but to a much lesser degree.
With the GLP-1 medications, in the best case scenario, total weight loss can reach 15-20%. And unfortunately, if these drugs are stopped for whatever reason, much of the weight could come back on within 2 years - because once the drug is stopped, typically that metabolism "boost" comes back to normal. With bariatric surgery, the hormonal changes and metabolic "boost" is long lasting.
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Transparency in Healthcare Costs
TriHealth strives to provide transparency in healthcare costs. The cost of weight management services and procedures varies depending on individual needs and insurance coverage. TriHealth offers tools and resources to help patients understand potential costs. If you have questions about costs, you must contact the billing department. They will provide a personalized cost estimate.
Life After Bariatric Surgery
Bariatric surgery, as stated before, obviously leads to great weight loss - but more importantly, if you stay active and stick to your high protein, high fiber diet, you will be able to MAINTAIN this great weight loss. This is what is unique to surgery, rather than lifestyle changes or some medications. However, weight loss isn’t the only goal - our goal is to get you to a happier, healthier lifestyle. That means getting off some of your medications, decreasing your risk for many cancers, having less pain, or being able to do the things you used to do… or have always wanted to do, but couldn’t.