Weight loss is a widespread concern and goal for many individuals. The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) addresses this need through its comprehensive weight management services, offering both medical and surgical options. Whether you have a medical condition or simply aspire to improve your health, the UAMS Health Medical and Surgical Weight Management Clinic provides personalized approaches to help you achieve your goals.
UAMS Health Medical and Surgical Weight Management Clinic
The UAMS Health Medical and Surgical Weight Management Clinic offers two distinct yet integrated approaches to weight loss, catering to individual patient needs and preferences. These include medical weight management and surgical weight management programs. The clinic's goal is to assist patients who are committed to losing weight in achieving their objectives effectively and safely.
Cam Patterson, M.D., MBA, UAMS chancellor and CEO of UAMS Health, stated, “We are pleased to be able to offer bariatric surgery to our patients who have been unable to lose weight using other interventions such as medication, exercise or dietary changes. We know obesity is a disease that affects far too many in our state, and we are committed to helping Arkansans lose weight effectively and safely.”
Medical Weight Management
The medical weight management route involves a nonsurgical, personalized, and comprehensive approach. This includes lifestyle changes, behavioral therapy, medications, and professional guidance. The UAMS Health Medical Weight Management team is led by Monice Ferrero, M.D., and Yasthil Vijay Jaganath, M.D., MPH, both assistant professors in the College of Medicine Department of Family and Preventive Medicine. They are triple board-certified in family medicine, obesity medicine, and lifestyle medicine. The team has been seeing patients at the clinic.
Surgical Weight Management
For those requiring a more interventional approach, the UAMS Health Surgical Weight Management Program provides effective surgery options to ensure weight loss and the control of obesity-related health conditions. The surgical team works closely with medical weight management specialists to create personal plans tailored to the health needs of patients. Martha M. Estrada, M.D., and Lexie H. Vaughn, M.D., both assistant professors in the College of Medicine Department of Surgery, lead the surgical weight management team. Vaughn specializes in minimally invasive and bariatric surgery.
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Integrated Approach: Nutrition, Exercise, and Psychosocial Support
UAMS enhances overall patient health through a combination of nutrition, exercise, and psychosocial support. This holistic approach ensures that patients not only meet their weight loss goals but also improve their overall well-being.
Addressing Obesity in Arkansas
According to a 2024 Trust for America's Health report, Arkansas is ranked third in the country in adult obesity rate with 40%. Obesity is a chronic disease that afflicts more than a third of Arkansans. Factors such as access to nutritious foods and health care significantly impact state and national obesity rates. UAMS is uniquely positioned to study obesity through the Center for the Study of Obesity, an integral part of the UAMS Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health. The Governor Sidney S. McMath Endowment supports this center.
Center for the Study of Obesity Initiatives
The UAMS Center for the Study of Obesity engages in various initiatives to combat obesity and promote health equity. These include:
- Research Projects: Leading research projects examining the impact of school meals on the mental and behavioral status of youths. For example, the UAMS Center for the Study of Obesity will lead a $1.2 million, multiorganization, three-year research project examining how the availability of school meals benefits the mental and behavioral status of youths.
- Community Programs: Collaborating with UAMS Culinary Medicine to pilot projects like cooking demonstrations at local schools, such as the Chicot Elementary and Early Childhood Center in the Little Rock School District (LRSD).
- Food Security Studies: Addressing food security among cancer patients.
Additional Services and Programs at UAMS
Beyond the weight management clinic, UAMS offers a range of services and programs to support overall health and well-being.
Weight Control Program
The UAMS Weight Control Clinic offers a 16-week program consisting of classes taught by registered dietitians and medically supervised by endocrinologists. The first half, called “Foundations,” focuses on behavior modification, identifying goals, support, and barriers. An additional 12 weeks of maintenance classes offer a unique hands-on perspective into keeping weight off long term. Participants may take field trips with the dietitian to a grocery store to learn what to look for while shopping, or they’ll take a spin or yoga class.
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Betsy Day, M.S., R.D.N., L.D., clinical manager for the UAMS Weight Control Clinic, notes, “We see patients all the time who can very quickly reduce the amount of insulin they need or decrease their blood pressure medication.”
Real Appeal
Real Appeal is available to UAMS members at no cost. This program is based on decades of clinical weight loss research focused on simple steps combined with personalized tools and support. Real Appeal members who attended four or more sessions during the program lost 10 pounds on average.
Employee Nutrition Resources
UAMS provides various nutrition resources for its employees, including:
- Nutrition Questions: Experts at UAMS are available to answer nutrition questions. For prescriptive diets, appointments can be scheduled by calling 501-526-6477.
- UMR Insurance Benefits: Those with UMR insurance are entitled to one to four free visits per year with an in-network dietitian, depending on their BMI.
- Employee Nutrition Clinic: A quicker way for those in Little Rock to get an appointment.
- Cafeteria Information: Employees and students can access nutritional information for the food online from the UAMS Cafeteria. Healthy food options are always available, including lean meat, healthy carbs, leafy greens, and heart-healthy fats.
- Employee Discount: Employees can show their employee ID badge for a 10 percent discount at all UAMS food service outlets.
UAMS MyChart
UAMS Health MyChart is a free online patient portal that gives you secure, 24-hour access to your health information. You can view lab and test results, send messages to your doctor, make appointments, pre-register for visits, refill prescriptions, and pay your bills. New patients can also register for MyChart and schedule their first appointment at participating clinical locations.
Success Stories
Donnia Cox, a clinical services manager in the medical oncology/transplant division at UAMS, shared her success story after participating in the Weight Control Program. Cox lost 80 pounds through the program and gained more energy to keep up with her seven grandchildren. She now keeps records of what she’s taking in and learning how many calories are necessary for her to function.
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Addressing Specific Health Concerns
UAMS Health also addresses specific health concerns related to diet and nutrition, including:
- Heart Disease: Helping patients manage or treat heart disease by examining their diet and making necessary changes.
- Genetic Conditions, ALS, and Celiac Disease: Treating patients with these conditions through dietary interventions.
- Transplant Patients: Martha M. Estrada, M.D., focuses on patients who need a kidney or liver transplant but cannot get it done because of their weight.
How to Get Started
Appointments are by referral only, with certain exceptions for University of Arkansas employees. For the first appointment, patients should bring a photo ID, insurance card, and a list of all medications, including over-the-counter drugs. Contact UAMS to determine the best route for your needs.