The Weight Management Program at Washington University School of Medicine is dedicated to the management of excessive weight. By applying the most current methods, the program helps patients manage their weight and reduce the medical risks linked with being obese.
Whatever your personal goals are in losing weight, our program offers three proven options to promote your success.
Medical Weight Management Program
Weight management is a challenge for everyone. An individualized approach to weight loss is essential because we are all different in genetic make-up, lifestyle, behaviors and physical activity.
By using the most current methods and medical monitoring, the Weight Management Program professionals are able to help people lose weight safely.
This program combines the expertise of physicians, psychologists, registered dietitians and physical therapists to provide a comprehensive approach to the medical management of obesity.
Philosophy
The Washington University Weight Management Program's emphasizes helping individuals achieve a healthy lifestyle. This is based on the following principles:
- Obesity is a disease that requires long-term treatment for successful management.
- Health benefits are associated with a modest amount of weight loss (5 to 10 percent or more of one's body weight), as long as it is maintained.
- Changes in eating habits are essential for weight loss.
- Physical activity is important for long-term weight management success.
Program Goals
Gradual weight loss will be achieved by following a structured, low-calorie meal plan that includes meal replacement products.
- Physicians will medically monitor treatment.
- Patients will learn to gradually increase the number of minutes they engage in physical activity.
- Patients will learn weight loss skills as well as strategies for long-term weight maintenance, by adopting a healthier lifestyle that can be kept up in the long-term.
Program Components
Medical Monitoring
Our physicians are trained to recognize medical conditions related to excessive weight and weight loss and to monitor changes in patient health. Regular medical monitoring helps reduce health risks related to weight loss and enables the staff to make appropriate adjustments to a patient's treatment.
Lifestyle Modification
With the help of the behavioral staff patients will learn to:
- Develop healthier behaviors.
- Identify triggers.
- Assess their environment.
- Make positive lifestyle choices.
- Establish an encouraging support group.
Nutrition
Nutritional education provided by registered dietitians will teach patients how to make healthier eating choices through individualized meal planning. Patients will also learn the importance of identifying environmental factors that influence weight gain and how to change their surrounding environment to support ongoing weight control.
Individual consultations with patients are provided for meal planning. Most meal plans utilize meal replacements, which are high quality, calorie-controlled nutritional products.
Physical Activity
A physically active lifestyle is an essential component in health and weight management. Physical therapists provide guidance in establishing a safe and effective physical activity routine that best suits each patient.
Program Structure
The medical aspect of the Weight Management Program is separated into three stages:
Stage I - Initial Weight Loss Basics
- 20 weekly group sessions.
- Five months in length.
- Medical monitoring.
Stage II - Sharpening Weight Management Skills
- 36 weekly sessions.
- Weight and blood pressure monitoring weekly.
- Eight months in length.
Stage III - Long-Term Continuous Care
- Monthly group sessions with limited medical supervision.
Surgical Weight Management Program
A unique Bariatric Surgery Program for treating extreme weight gain is available at the Weight Management Clinic. The program provides expert surgical therapy in conjunction with dietary consultation, behavior modification and patient support groups to achieve the best possible success.
For appropriate patients, surgery is highly effective for producing long-term weight loss. This treatment option is for patients who are severely overweight with a body mass index of 35 or greater and a medical complication of obesity, or a body mass index of 40 or greater without other medical complications.
Patient Pre-Surgical Evaluation
Should a patient decide to pursue bariatric surgery at Washington University and Barnes-Jewish Hospital, a pre-surgical evaluation must be completed through the Weight Management Program by calling (314) 286-2069.
The pre-surgical evaluation is a thorough process that requires significant patient involvement. Three separate packets of information and health forms are sent out six months prior to the actual evaluation or screening appointments. The pre-surgical evaluation appointments include:
- Behavioral Evaluation — day 1 at Weight Management Clinic.
- Dietary Evaluation — day 1 at Weight Management Clinic.
- Physical Therapy Evaluation — day 2 at Physical Therapy Clinic.
- Surgeon's Evaluation — day 2 at Center for Advanced Medicine.
- Pre- and Post-Op Surgical Support Group
Pre- and post-op group meetings are held at the Weight Management Program. Donna Marin, R.N., facilitates these groups. She has been with the bariatric surgery program since 2000 and is also the bariatric team surgical nurse.
What Are the Steps Necessary Before Surgery?
The time required to be evaluated for surgery is three to six months between the initial phone screening and the pre-surgical evaluation appointments. There is an additional three-month period for precertification before your actual surgery date.
This long-term planning is to ensure you have considered every aspect of this approach to treatment.
- Call your insurance company to see if this is a covered benefit without exclusions for you.
- Call the Weight Management Program for an initial packet of information.
- The total screening process involves three to six months of evaluations.
Supplemental Physical Exercise
Regular physical activity is an essential part of healthy living and weight control. The medical weight management curriculum provides guidelines and goals for incorporating physical activity into your lifestyle.
Regular physical activity is an essential part of healthy living and weight control. The medical weight management curriculum provides guidelines and goals for incorporating physical activity into your lifestyle.
In addition to the exercise instruction included in the medical program, we offer the following supplemental physical activity opportunities:
Individual Instruction
This is an individual session with a physical therapist to evaluate your needs and to show you specific exercises that can be safely done. Suggestions will also be made for physical activities you can incorporate into your daily life. You will be educated on the types of exercise in which you should engage. You will also learn ways you can fit exercise into your day. This session will provide you with a detailed exercise plan.
Group Activity
If you enjoy the motivating atmosphere of a group, then we have just the program for you. On the Move™ is offered at the Washington University physical therapy clinic. On the Move™strives to help overweight individuals pursue fitness and musculoskeletal health.
For a referral to a Washington University specialist at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, call 314-TOP-DOCS or 314-867-3627.