News

June 26, 2014

Nashoba Valley Medical Center Offers Patients Weight Loss Solutions at New Center for Weight Control

In an effort to help patients struggling with weight loss, Nashoba Valley Medical Center recently opened the Center for Weight Control to provide services centered around weight loss solutions, including the OPTIFAST® Program.

Different than many other weight loss solutions, OPTIFAST is a medically monitored weight management program that closely monitors and assesses a patient’s progress toward better health and well-being as they lose weight. The three major components of the program are dietary therapy, increased physical activity and behavior therapy.

“The OPTIFAST Program succeeds because it treats the whole patient, focusing on more than just weight,” said Salvatore Perla, president of Nashoba Valley Medical Center. “Our patients work with a team of health care professionals, including physicians and our dietitian to help them achieve long-term weight loss.”

Under the supervision of a physician, patients consume a low calorie diet, which utilizes a full meal replacement plan that transitions to self-prepared “everyday” meals in conjunction with comprehensive patient education and support. This type of diet is normally only used for rapid weight loss for severely obese patients with a body mass index greater than 35, and is only recommended as part of a comprehensive treatment program.

OPTIFAST has been proven in more than 80 clinical studies to help overweight and obese people lose weight. The typical OPTIFAST patient loses over 50 lbs. in 18 to 24 weeks, and experiences a healthy decrease in blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Additionally, 50 percent of patients assessed five years after completing the OPTIFAST program kept enough weight off to improve their health long term.

The Center for Weight Control at Nashoba Valley Medical Center
The Center for Weight Control is offering free information sessions for patients to learn about the benefits of OPTIFAST. Information sessions are held on the first Wednesday of each month from 12 to 1 p.m. or the third Wednesday of each month from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the Ambulatory Wing Conference Room #109, which is located near the Occupational Health Center at Nashoba Valley Medical Center in Ayer, Massachusetts. For more information about the Center for Weight Control at Nashoba Valley Medical Center, the OPTIFAST Program or an information session, visit http://nashobamed.org/service-directory/weight-control

About Nashoba Valley Medical Center

Nashoba Valley Medical Center (NVMC) offers community-based primary care and specialty services. NVMC was awarded an A, the highest grade possible, in hospital safety by Leapfrog, and recipient of the Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval. Areas of clinical strength include emergency medicine, diagnostic imaging, cardiology, gastroenterology, ophthalmology, oncology, orthopedics, physical therapy and general surgery. NVMC also offers a comprehensive Diabetes and Endocrine Center, Travel Clinic and Occupational Health Services. Nashoba Valley Medical Center is part of the Steward Health Care System LLC, the largest integrated community care organization in New England which combines over 3,000 physicians, 10 acute care hospitals, managed care, insurance programs, home care, an imaging operation, and a number of other post-acute services, to provide the most cost effective and highest quality of integrated patient care. Additional information is available at www.nashobamed.org.