The UCSF Weight Management Program offers a variety of customized plans designed to help adult patients achieve and maintain weight loss. Established in 1985, the program is spearheaded by experienced doctors with over 20 years in the field, including managing weight loss for patients with complex medical conditions. Recognizing that combining various weight loss and management techniques increases an individual's chance of long-term success, UCSF offers a multidisciplinary approach, including dietary changes, exercise programs, behavior modifications, support groups and educational lectures.
Comprehensive Weight Management Programs
The UCSF Weight Management Program distinguishes itself by offering a holistic approach to weight loss, acknowledging that each patient's journey is unique. The program's doctors collaborate with other UCSF medical specialists to craft effective, personalized plans. A registered dietitian and clinical psychologist with special training in weight management are integral parts of the team.
UCSF offers three distinct weight management plans:
- The Step-by-Step Program: Details for this program were not provided.
- The Meal Replacement Program: Details for this program were not provided.
- The Individual Consultation Program: This program offers individual consultations and assessments of nutritional consumption, energy balance, lifestyle, and psychological factors influencing health and weight.
For patients whose insurance does not cover the program, out-of-pocket payment options are available, with the flexibility to schedule visits frequently or less often, depending on individual budgets.
Pediatric Weight Management: Addressing Fatty Liver and Obesity in Children and Teens
The UCSF Weight Management Program extends its expertise to younger populations through the Pediatric Fatty Liver and Weight Assessment Clinic. This clinic focuses on children and teens struggling to maintain a healthy weight. The team evaluates both patients and their families, paying close attention to the links between behavior and biochemistry, especially concerning energy balance (calories burned versus calories consumed). The clinic's goal is to help patients manage their weight by adopting healthy eating and exercise habits.
Read also: Weight Loss Guide Andalusia, AL
The clinic addresses Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), a condition characterized by fat deposits that can inflame and damage the liver. MASLD is the leading cause of chronic liver disease among children and teens in the United States, with obesity being a major risk factor.
Bariatric Surgery at UCSF: A Path to Healthier Living
For individuals with severe obesity, where diet, exercise, and medication have proven insufficient, the UCSF Bariatric Surgery Center offers a range of surgical weight-loss options. These options include gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy. The center boasts a minimally invasive (laparoscopic) approach in over 99 percent of cases, reducing postoperative pain and complications, shortening hospital stays, and enabling quicker returns to normal activities.
The experienced team of bariatric surgeons, gastroenterologists, psychiatrists, nurses, physician assistants, and dietitians is equipped to handle complex cases, including repairs of unsuccessful bariatric operations performed elsewhere. UCSF is also among the few centers performing bariatric surgery on obese patients with end-stage kidney or liver disease who have been denied organ transplants due to their weight.
It is very important to follow the recommended dietary guidelines after undergoing bariatric surgery. Patients usually spend one to two days in the hospital following bariatric surgery. Becoming active quickly speeds recovery.
To maintain weight loss after surgery, patients must commit to lifelong dietary, exercise, and lifestyle changes. To determine candidacy for bariatric surgery, individuals can visit Eligibility for Weight Loss Surgery. The center also holds monthly information sessions that are free and open to the public. To be eligible for bariatric surgery, you must weigh less than 450 lbs. because that's the max weight that hospital X-ray equipment can accommodate. This group is open to patients who have undergone weight-loss surgery as well as those who are considering the procedure.
Read also: Beef jerky: A high-protein option for shedding pounds?
Support Services and Amenities at UCSF
UCSF provides a wide array of support services and amenities for patients and their families, including interpreter services in many languages and TDDs for families needing communication assistance. Family-friendly amenities help families relax and take care of themselves while staying close to their child.
Activity rooms offer a relaxed environment for children of all ages. Features include a playroom, digital arts studio and teen lounge. Art therapy helps kids and families express themselves, making it easier to cope with pediatric health issues. Board-certified music therapists help kids cope with illness and the feelings that come with it. UCSF helps kids return to school after hospitalization by educating staff and students about their needs and recommending needed accommodations. If your child can't be around other kids for medical reasons, you can sign up for private sessions in our activity and school rooms. Weekly activities, including knitting, scrapbooking, chair massage and more, help family caregivers get a much-needed break. Patient relations reps and nursing supervisors are here to answer questions and address concerns. Chaplains help UCSF patients, families and staff cope with the spiritual and emotional challenges of childhood illness. It’s a bird. It’s a plane. It’s a window washer! Dressed as a superhero to clean and brighten your day. Chaplains representing many faiths are available around the clock to provide support, comfort and counsel to patients, families and caregivers.
The Importance of Weight Management
Weight management involves adopting a healthy lifestyle that includes a knowledge of nutrition, exercise, and a positive attitude. Body mass index (BMI) is a number based on both your height and weight and can help determine the degree to which a person is overweight.
Read also: Inspiring Health Transformation