In the Metabolic Health & Weight Loss Program, we help patients with obesity lose weight using a variety of therapies, such as nutritional counseling, a meal replacement program, medications, and endoscopic therapies such as intragastric balloon. I became clinical director of the program in June 2019.

In medicine, obesity is defined as a body mass index (BMI) over 30. BMI is a number calculated using a person’s weight and height and is used to categorize obesity in three classes, with each group benefiting differently from the various therapies we offer. Treatments are tailored for the patient and their weight loss goals. We think about the patient, we see what other conditions they have, and we choose the medication that best fit that patient. We know that obesity is a multifactorial disease, so we use a combined approach. A patient might start with OPTIFAST, a meal replacement program, then use a medication to keep the weight off. Additionally, our patients also work with a nutritionist to develop healthier dietary habits.

The interventions that we do here are effective in the 10 – 12 percent range of total body weight loss, and this is known to improve many diseases such as diabetes and fatty liver disease. We know that about 10 percent weight loss can do a lot to improve a patient’s health.