Embarking on a weight loss journey can be a challenging yet rewarding experience. In Little Rock, Arkansas, individuals seeking to improve their health and well-being have access to a variety of weight loss programs tailored to meet diverse needs. This article explores several options, ranging from medically supervised programs to surgical interventions, providing a comprehensive overview to help you make an informed decision.
Understanding the Need for Weight Loss Programs
Excess weight can lead to a host of health problems, including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, joint pain, and reduced mobility. For many, diet and exercise alone may not be sufficient to achieve and maintain significant weight loss. Weight loss programs offer structured support, medical supervision, and advanced interventions to help individuals overcome these challenges and achieve a healthier lifestyle.
Medically Supervised Weight Loss Programs
Dr. Traci Kiernan: A Holistic Approach
Dr. Traci Kiernan, a wellness physician and health coach, offers a unique approach to weight loss. Committed to helping people overcome health challenges, Dr. Kiernan provides the tools, tricks, and tips necessary to transform health, family life, and even business. Unlike many programs that simply provide a plan and leave individuals to their own devices, Dr. Kiernan offers ongoing support and up-to-date information to ensure lasting success.
Dr. Kiernan emphasizes that "YOUR BODY is the only place that you have to live for THE REST OF YOUR LIFE," highlighting the importance of investing in one's health.
Baptist Health Weight & Nutrition Center
Baptist Health Weight & Nutrition Center offers a variety of resources to help individuals create a healthier and happier lifestyle. Recognizing that there is no "one-size-fits-all" strategy for safe weight loss, they provide metabolic testing, thorough evaluations, and frequent check-ins to help members find the right approach for their unique needs.
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Located at 9500 Kanis Road, Ste., Phone: (501) 202-2001, ext., the center offers a renowned weight loss program, an expansive retail space, and consulting and testing services.
Medical Weight Loss Injections with Dr. Yee
For those seeking a medical weight loss solution, Dr. Yee offers weekly medical weight loss injections. Her medically supervised program begins with a one-on-one consultation to determine if weight loss medications are appropriate and to create a personalized treatment plan.
In addition to monitoring progress with weight loss medications, Dr. Yee provides nutrition guidance and recommendations for exercise. Her practice offers weight loss injections such as semaglutide (Ozempic® and Wegovy®) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro® and Zepbound®).
Semaglutide mimics GLP-1, a naturally occurring hormone that regulates appetite, blood sugar levels, and stomach emptying. Tirzepatide, a dual agonist, targets both GLP-1 and GIP receptors, potentially leading to greater weight loss for some patients.
Dr. Yee and her team provide support throughout the weight loss journey.
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UAMS Health Medical Weight Management Clinic
The UAMS Health Medical Weight Management team, led by Monica Ferrero, M.D., and Yasthil Vijay Jaganath, M.D., MPH, helps patients lose weight and improve weight-related complications through medication, exercise, or dietary changes.
The UAMS Health Medical and Surgical Weight Management Clinic is located in the UAMS Outpatient Center on the Little Rock campus. UAMS is the state’s only health sciences university, with colleges of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Health Professions and Public Health; a graduate school; a hospital; a main campus in Little Rock; a Northwest Arkansas regional campus in Fayetteville; a statewide network of regional campuses; and eight institutes: the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, Jackson T. Stephens Spine & Neurosciences Institute, Harvey & Bernice Jones Eye Institute, Psychiatric Research Institute, Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging, Translational Research Institute, Institute for Digital Health & Innovation and the Institute for Community Health Innovation. UAMS includes UAMS Health, a statewide health system that encompasses all of UAMS’ clinical enterprise. UAMS is the only adult Level 1 trauma center in the state. UAMS has 3,485 students, 915 medical residents and fellows, and seven dental residents. It is the state’s largest public employer with more than 11,000 employees, including 1,200 physicians who provide care to patients at UAMS, its regional campuses, Arkansas Children’s, the VA Medical Center and Baptist Health. Visit www.uams.edu or uamshealth.com.
CHI St. Vincent Weight Loss Clinic
CHI St. Vincent Weight Loss Clinic in Little Rock offers both nonsurgical and surgical options to help individuals achieve a healthier weight. They provide nonsurgical medical weight loss treatments and therapies, nutrition counseling, and bariatric surgery.
Virtual visits offer convenient care from home, and the clinic accepts most major insurance plans. CHI St. Vincent Weight Loss Clinic prioritizes the safety of patient health information.
Premier Gastroenterology - MetTrimMD
The Premier Gastroenterology - MetTrimMD medical weight loss program is administered by knowledgeable weight loss physicians and providers. In addition to promoting weight loss, the program is designed to help reduce or reverse medical conditions often caused by excess weight, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high sugar levels (type 2 diabetes), poor digestion, poor mobility, joint pain, and self-esteem or behavioral issues.
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The MetTrimMD program offers personalized weight loss plans.
Surgical Weight Loss Options
Bariatric and Metabolic Institute (BMI)
The Bariatric and Metabolic Institute (BMI), led by Dr. Samuel Bledsoe and Dr. James “JJ” Tucker, focuses on helping individuals reach their weight goals and regain their health. They offer personalized attention and innovative surgical options to make permanent weight loss a reality.
BMI emphasizes that permanent weight loss through diet and exercise alone can be impossible for some individuals. Weight loss surgery can help improve overall health and quality of life.
To be eligible for bariatric surgery, patients must have a body mass index greater than 40, or a body mass index greater than 35 with comorbidities (such as type II diabetes). With a body mass index greater than 30, self-pay surgery may be an option.
Surgical Procedures Offered at BMI
- Laparoscopic Approach: BMI performs minimally invasive surgeries using a laparoscopic approach.
- Gastric Sleeve: Gastric Sleeve surgery involves the permanent removal of approximately 75% of the stomach, leaving a tubular "sleeve." This procedure causes the patient to feel full sooner and reduces the hormone that causes hunger.
- Gastric Bypass: Gastric Bypass surgery is considered the gold standard for weight loss surgery and typically results in 70-85% excess weight loss.
UAMS Health Surgical Weight Management Program
The UAMS Health Surgical Weight Management Program provides surgical solutions for weight loss and the management of obesity-related health conditions. Led by Martha M. Estrada, M.D., and Lexie H. Vaughn, M.D., the team collaborates with medical weight management specialists to develop personalized care plans.
Estrada noted that weight can be a barrier to safe transplant for patients needing lifesaving organs.
Considerations When Choosing a Weight Loss Program
- Medical Supervision: Look for programs that offer medical supervision to ensure your safety and monitor your progress.
- Personalized Approach: Choose a program that considers your individual needs, goals, and medical history.
- Comprehensive Support: Opt for programs that provide nutrition counseling, exercise guidance, and ongoing support.
- Surgical Options: If you are considering weight loss surgery, research the different procedures available and their potential benefits and risks.
- Insurance Coverage: Check with your insurance provider to determine which programs and procedures are covered.