Surgical vs. Non-Surgical Weight Loss
Bariatric/Medical Weight Loss
- Surgical vs. Non-Surgical Weight Loss
- Surgery Process
- Bariatric Surgical Candidate Criteria
- Types of Weight Loss Surgery
- Non-Surgical Medically Supervised Weight Loss
- Bariatric Seminars
- IU Health Bariatric & Medical Weight Loss Physicians
- Ongoing Support
- Insurance Information
- Contact Us
- Patient Stories
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Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in America; in fact, obesity is the second leading cause of preventable death in the United States, surpassed only by cigarette smoking. These statistics are alarming and are part of the reason a growing number of people are turning to bariatric surgery and medically supervised weight loss programs to help them attain a healthy, active lifestyle.
We know that obesity is not a character defect or a lack of willpower, but rather a serious condition that can affect a person’s health both mentally and physically.
Choosing a Weight Loss Program
The best weight loss programs are professionally or medically supervised, and incorporate a balanced combination of diet/nutrition and regular physical activity. Any program you choose should help you establish healthy behaviors that help you change your lifestyle so that you can maintain your weight loss over time.
Here are the basic things you should consider when researching weight loss programs:
- How much weight do you wish to lose?
- How much support will you receive from the program?
- Can the program be customized to meet your lifestyle?
- What kind of maintenance program is provided?
Support
From your very first visit, we think you will appreciate the effort and planning that has gone into the design of our weight loss center, the choice of our staff and the services we provide. The surgeons and bariatricians at IU Health Bariatric & Medical Weight Loss are highly skilled, experienced professionals, affording you the latest in proven medical techniques.
We think you will quickly become comfortable with us and be able to appreciate the comprehensiveness of our weight loss program.
Call IU Health Bariatric & Medical Weight Loss at 317.275.7010 for more information. For patients needing bariatric products, visit our store.
Weight Loss Surgery
Weight loss surgery is only one aspect of the IU Health Bariatric & Medical Weight Loss program. While surgery can help them achieve their initial goal of weight loss, preparing a patient before and then providing exceptional follow-up treatment is how IU Health Bariatric & Medical Weight Loss sets itself apart.
With pre-op preparation classes, support groups, healthy cooking seminars and access to a myriad of resources, no patient is treated as a number, rather an individual. Each program will be tailored to fit their needs and address their specific concerns.
It is also important to note that all bariatric surgeries at IU Health Bariatric & Medical Weight Loss are performed laparoscopically (which is a minimally invasive surgery), unless there are medical reasons not to do so. This allows for quicker recovery time, less pain, and less chance of complications.
Surgery Seminars
Join us for an educational seminar to speak with our surgeons, nutritionists and past patients to learn how weight loss surgery can help you gain control of your weight, regain health and start a new life. Events are held at the IU Health Bariatric & Medical Weight Loss INTECH Park location on Thursdays and Saturdays throughout the year, view upcoming seminar dates. If you are interested in attending, please fill out our online registration form or call 317.275.7010 to reserve your spot.
A Center of Excellence
IU Health Bariatric & Medical Weight Loss has been named an American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence. The ASMBS Center of Excellence designation recognizes surgical programs with a demonstrated track record of favorable outcomes in bariatric surgery.
Non-Surgical Medically Supervised Weight Loss Program
Please Note: Due to the popularity of the Medically Supervised Weight Loss Programs, we are not able to currently accept new patients. You may still attend the seminar to learn about our highly successful minimally invasive surgery program.
Surgery is not for everyone, although it is the most effective approach for long term weight management, and the best treatment for patients with diabetes. Some patients prefer to enroll in our medically supervised weight loss program. Other patients may not be candidates for surgery, or may be required to undergo an initial six month period of medically supervised weight loss as a requisite for qualification for weight loss surgery.
Our medically supervised weight loss program is a longitudinal lifestyle program, and is supervised by our board-certified bariatrician. The initial appointment includes a detailed history and physical exam, a careful analysis of eating and activity habits, and a customized nutritional intervention. The emphasis is on a long term commitment that extends beyond weight loss; we provide extended support of healthy habits using a wellness approach.
As part of a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach, weight loss plans include counseling on modifying and adhering to healthy eating patterns, adopting lifestyle changes, implementing sensible exercise regimens, and administration of pharmaceutical medications, when appropriate.
Of course, supervised weight loss patients enjoy all the attributes of IU Health Bariatric & Medical Weight Loss, including attendance of support groups, cooking classes, walking tours and all other related activities.