Helping You Become a Healthier You
Every person's weight-loss journey is unique to their specific needs. That’s why we offer several nonsurgical weight-loss options for patients who don’t want or are unable to undergo invasive surgery.
Our weight-care physicians, psychologists and nutritionists are here to help guide you and provide the support you need to reach and maintain your healthiest weight.
Achieve Sustainable Weight Loss Without Invasive Surgery
Also known as medical weight loss and noninvasive weight loss, our nonsurgical weight-loss program provides several options to help you lose and maintain a healthy weight without the need for bariatric surgery.
Our noninvasive weight-loss program focuses on making changes to your nutrition, physical activity and behavior to help you achieve your healthiest weight — and maintain it for the rest of your life.
Our Nonsurgical Weight-Loss Services
We focus on four main noninvasive weight-loss methods, all designed to encourage and motivate you to take charge of your health and hit your healthy weight-loss goals.
Many times, patients use a combination of options to reach their weight-loss target. During your initial consultation, our weight-loss specialists will provide you with a comprehensive program for your specific needs.
- Medical Weight-Loss Programs
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Many who seek help losing weight have previously tried at least one weight-loss program. While some may have found success in losing weight with these programs, most of the time, they don't give you the right tools and support needed to maintain your hard work.
Our medical weight-loss programs give you access to our world-class physicians, therapists, fitness trainers and nutritionists who are here to guide you on your weight-loss journey and give you everything you need to maintain your healthy weight once you get there.
Through our nonsurgical weight-loss programs, patients have access to:
- Behavioral therapy and modifications
- Exercise plans
- Individual and group support
- Maintenance plans
- Nutrition counseling and meal planning
- Weight-loss medications
Patients undergo continuous monitoring throughout their weight-loss journey through both in-person and virtual appointments with our weight-loss specialists. This can help them keep an eye on what is working and what may need to be changed.
- Weight-Loss Medications
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Over the last few years, many patients have achieved success with several new weight-loss medications recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These medications work by slowing digestion, helping you feel fuller for longer.
Through our medical weight-loss program, your weight-loss specialist will help determine if weight-loss medications are right for you and, if so, which would work best for your specific needs.
Your specialist will also continuously monitor your progress on your weight-loss drugs to see how well they’re working, determine whether you need a dosage change and answer any questions you may have regarding potential side effects.
- Nutrition Counseling
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There are many pieces to the puzzle of losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight. The most important piece is your diet and what you eat every day, which is why our nonsurgical weight-loss program focuses heavily on nutrition counseling.
During nutrition counseling, you will learn about:
- Achieving a safe calorie deficit
- Available meal replacement programs
- Correct food portions
- Customized meal planning tips and guidance
- Focusing on whole foods
- Healthy replacements for processed foods and beverages
- Techniques for changing unhealthy eating behaviors, like emotional eating
- Vitamin and mineral supplements
Our counselors will review your current diet and recommend delicious food plans that are sustainable for life.
- Endoscopic Procedures
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Our nonsurgical weight-loss procedures include minimally invasive endoscopic options for patients needing additional help along their weight-loss journey. Like bariatric surgery, these endoscopic procedures also change the size of the stomach, helping reduce the amount of food a person can physically eat.
Unlike bariatric surgery, medical weight-loss endoscopic procedures are not major surgeries and do not require any incisions into the body.
Endoscopic procedures utilize a medical instrument called an endoscope. While under general anesthesia, your physician will access your stomach and digestive system with the endoscope through your mouth.
After your initial noninvasive weight-loss consultation, your doctor will help you decide whether endoscopic procedures are right for your weight-loss journey based on:
- Past success with losing weight through diet and other lifestyle changes only
- Whether you don't want or do not qualify for bariatric surgery
- Your body mass index (BMI) — normally used for those with a 30 BMI or higher, which is considered obese
Through the endoscope, a physician can perform several noninvasive weight-loss procedures, including:
- Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG): The endoscope is used to place small sutures in the stomach, changing its shape to make it smaller.
- Intragastric balloon placement: A small balloon inflated with saline is placed into the stomach to help make it smaller.
- Endoscopic gastric mucosal ablation (EGMA): Some of the stomach's lining is removed, helping shrink the stomach and reduce appetite.
When compared to bariatric surgery, these endoscopic procedures have a much lower risk of complications, and most patients can go home the same day.
Find Our Medical Weight-Loss Locations
Ready to take the first step toward weight loss and a healthier life? Our experts are here to help. Contact your nearest AdventHealth bariatric and weight care location to schedule your consultation with one of our weight-loss specialists today.
Nonsurgical Weight-Loss Considerations and Expectations
Obesity can increase a person's risk for several serious health complications, including heart disease, high blood pressure, pancreatitis, sleep apnea, kidney disease and some cancers.
Nonsurgical weight-loss options can benefit anyone with a BMI of 30 or higher (classified as obese) or those with a BMI of 27 or higher who also have a weight-related health condition.
Noninvasive weight loss methods are also helpful for those who:
- Are diagnosed with chronic conditions, such as hypothyroidism or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which make it hard to lose weight
- Do not want to undergo invasive weight-loss surgery
- Have trouble making and sticking to weight-loss-related lifestyle changes
- Struggle with genetic predispositions that can hamper weight loss
Our nonsurgical weight-loss program is a fully comprehensive approach to weight loss without the need for invasive surgery.
After completing a comprehensive health evaluation, your team of weight-loss physicians, nutritionists, therapists and fitness experts will tailor a weight-loss program specifically to you and your health care needs. They'll check your current weight, determine what a healthy weight looks like for you and what medical or lifestyle issues may be barring the way from successful weight loss.
From there, you and your weight-loss team will create a personalized plan that includes a combination of nutritional counseling, healthy menus, fitness plans, behavioral counseling, weight-loss medications and, if needed, noninvasive endoscopic procedures.
Not only will your weight-loss team guide you through every step of your personalized plan, but they will also constantly monitor your progress to see where changes may be needed. Right from the start, they will give you maintenance tips and techniques to help ensure you remain successful after hitting your weight-loss goal.
It's important to remember that a noninvasive weight loss program isn't meant to be a “quick fix” or to help you lose weight for next summer. Rather, it's a holistic approach that requires changes to your lifestyle and mindset that will enable you to hit your healthiest weight and maintain it for the rest of your life.
Losing weight can be one of the most difficult things a person can do. It requires not only making certain lifestyle and behavior changes but also a deep commitment to your overall health and determination not to give up when things get tough.
Weight loss is a marathon, not a sprint — while you cannot expect changes to happen in one day, with perseverance, determination and the right weight-loss specialists at your side, it will happen quicker than embarking on the journey alone.
Our weight-loss specialists are devoted to helping you maintain your healthiest weight and giving you all the tools and knowledge you need to remain successful. Contact your nearest AdventHealth location to make a nonsurgical weight-loss appointment today.
Nonsurgical Weight-Loss FAQs
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Q:Question: What is the difference between medical weight-loss services and surgical weight-loss services?
A:Answer:Surgical weight-loss services, also known as bariatric surgery, require invasive surgery where parts of the digestive system are physically changed to help a person lose weight.
Continue ReadingCollapse AnswerMedical weight-loss services are noninvasive and focus more on changing a person’s lifestyle and behaviors, such as nutrition counseling, therapy, exercise plans, support groups and weight-loss medications.
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Q:Question: How long does it take to see results from medical weight-loss programs?
A:Answer:It's important to remember that every person is different and loses weight at a different rate.
Continue ReadingCollapse AnswerGenerally speaking, most noninvasive weight-loss patients will begin to see changes within a few weeks of starting their program. In addition to weight loss, these changes can include reduced appetite, increased energy, improved mood and feeling more in control of their health.
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Q:Question: Are weight-loss medications safe?
A:Answer:Today's weight-loss medications undergo rigorous testing to become FDA-approved, which includes being considered safe when used under the guidance of a medical professional.
Continue ReadingCollapse AnswerLike all drugs, weight-loss medications also have potential side effects, and every person will have a different experience with them. Your weight-loss specialist will continuously monitor your use of weight-loss medications and, if side effects occur, can provide you with ways to control them or other medication options.
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Q:Question: How often will I need to see a doctor or specialist during my weight-loss program?
A:Answer:Before starting your nonsurgical weight-loss program, you will meet with a specialist for a full exam and consultation to evaluate your current health and establish your weight-loss goals.
Continue ReadingCollapse AnswerFrom there, you will normally follow up with your specialist once every three months, depending on your personalized plan. These follow-up appointments can often be conducted in person or via a virtual visit.
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Q:Question: Do I need to follow a strict diet to benefit from medical weight-loss services?
A:Answer:No, the personalized diet plan that your weight-loss team helps put together for you is not necessarily strict.
Continue ReadingCollapse AnswerRather, it’s fully focused on helping you lose weight by eating the right whole foods, limiting processed and sugary foods and drinks and making sure you get the proper amount of daily vitamins and minerals. While your nutrition plan may be a bit different from what you’re used to, once you start seeing results — and realize how delicious it is — you won’t find it restricting.
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Q:Question: Will I need to exercise as part of the program?
A:Answer:Physical activity is not only an important factor for weight loss but also vital for good overall health.
Continue ReadingCollapse AnswerYour weight-loss team will help put together a personalized exercise plan to help you burn calories and build muscle, both of which will help you lose weight and keep it off.
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Q:Question: Can I still participate if I have a medical condition like diabetes?
A:Answer:Yes, nonsurgical weight loss is a great option for people with chronic conditions tied to obesity, such as Type 2 diabetes.
Continue ReadingCollapse AnswerAs you lose weight and focus more on your health, you can also help improve how chronic conditions negatively impact your body. And with some conditions, like Type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol, losing weight may even help you reverse these diseases.