Weight Loss
The Center for Weight Control at Nashoba Valley Medical Center offers both surgical and non-surgical options and support services to help patients lead healthier lives and achieve weight loss goals.
Weight Loss Services at Nashoba Valley
Our surgeons and dietitians work closely with our patients, providing education on weight loss methods and helping each individual decide which options are best. Compassionate, personalized care includes regular monitoring to ensure that weight is lost in a healthy and sustainable way.
Weight Loss Surgery
We understand that being overweight is a medical condition that poses serious health risks, such as heart disease and diabetes, and also impacts your ability to live an active and healthy lifestyle. For people who have struggled with their weight and have been unable to maintain long-term weight loss, bariatric surgery may be the most effective means to lose weight and keep it off.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), you may qualify for weight loss (bariatric) surgery based on the following criteria:
- You are 18 years or older.
- You have a body mass index (BMI of 35 or greater) and have related medical problems, or a BMI of 40 or greater.
- You have medical problems that are related to your being overweight that can be improved after bariatric surgery.
- You do not have medical problems that would make your risk of undergoing anesthesia or surgery too high.
- You have failed physician-supervised diets.
- You demonstrate the ability to lose weight during the preoperative evaluation process.
- You do not have psychiatric or substance abuse problems that would make it unlikely that you would be successful with weight loss after surgery.
- You have sufficient willpower and commitment to make the permanent lifestyle changes that are required and are permanent after the surgery.
- You educate yourself about your disease, the surgery, the post-surgical diet, post-surgical life changes and have reasonable expectations.
Surgical weight loss procedures include:
- Gastric bypass – a laparoscopic procedure in which the upper portion of the stomach is surgically stapled to separate it from the rest of the stomach, changing the path food takes so it bypasses much of the stomach and part of the small intestine.
- Sleeve gastrectomy (also known as gastric sleeve) – is a non-reversible procedure where approximately 85 percent of the stomach is removed, the remaining taking on a tube shape. This laparoscopic surgery only calls for a few small incisions, leading to a safer and quicker recovery for patients.
Non-Surgical Weight Loss Options
If your body mass index (BMI) is less than 40 you may benefit from non-surgical weight loss. Use this BMI calculator to see if our medical weight loss program is right for you.
The Center for Weight Control offers the following non-surgical weight loss options:
- The OPTIFAST® Program, which is a medically monitored weight management solution that combines lifestyle education with a low-calorie diet to help patients change eating and exercising habits. OPTIFAST patients work with a team of health care professionals, including primary care physicians (PCP) and Nashoba Valley Medical Center's dietitian to help achieve long-term weight loss. The program, which usually lasts between 18 to 26 weeks, utilizes a full meal replacement plan that transitions to self-prepared “everyday” meals in conjunction with comprehensive patient education and support. During this time, the dietitian and patient's PCP track and monitor the patient's weight, lab work, and other factors.
- Nutrition counseling with the dietitian to evaluate a patient's diet and lifestyle. Patients learn about food and activity goal setting as a key component of a healthier lifestyle.
Understanding Bariatric Surgery with Michael Jiser, MD, FACS
General Surgeon and Director of the Center for Weight Control Dr. Michael Jiser explains weight loss surgery options available at Nashoba Valley Medical Center through this online Bariatric Seminar.
Our Team
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Caitlin Silva, RD, LDN
Registered Dietitian -
Tim Patno, BSN, RN, CNOR, RNFA
Weight Loss Services -
Victoria Curtis, RN
Weight Loss Services -
Elaine Davis, RN
Weight Loss Services
Resources
Listen to Dr. Jiser's Interview on WPKZ AM 1280
Listen to Bariatric Surgeon Dr. Michael Jiser talk with WPKZ AM 1280 K-Zone hosts Travis and Sherman about obesity, weight loss and weight loss surgery.
Understanding Weight Loss Surgery
A conversation with Michael Jiser, MD, Steward Health Care Bariatric Surgeon.
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Steward Health Care