Ask the Experts Blog

Obesity is recognized as a disease by the American Medical Association, but many still resist that classification.

The physicians at Lakeland Weight Loss Center know that obesity is a disease but that hasn’t narrowed their vision of treatment. Instead, it’s encouraged them to create a program that offers varied and effective treatment options for patients with a range of concerns, goals and needs. Among other points, critics argue that classifying obesity this way will encourage people to think of medications and surgery as the only “cures.”

Here are some of the services Lakeland has developed to respond to the challenge of obesity. 

Personalized Nutrition Counseling

A registered dietitian will work with you to assess your individual circumstances and create a custom nutrition program. Beyond helping facilitate weight loss, nutritional counseling can help combat diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, hypoglycemia, and vitamin deficiencies.

Surgical Weight Loss

Bariatric surgery requires careful consideration but in the right circumstances, it can improve a patient’s quality of life in a number of different ways. At the Lakeland Weight Loss Center, patients interested in bariatric surgery have an initial consultation and a series of shared medical appointments over a six month period to provide weight loss education and medical care. These appointments start before the surgery and continue afterward to help patients plan, execute and maintain the lifestyle changes that will help them achieve overall wellness.

For the surgery itself, Lakeland physicians are specially trained to use the da Vinci® surgical system: a robotic system that allows surgeons to conduct even complex procedures through tiny incisions. Patients who undergo this type of minimally-invasive surgery may enjoy faster recovery, less pain, minimal scarring, and reduced risk of infection or other complications.

Shared Medical Appointments

Lakeland Weight Loss Center provides weight loss education and medical care prior to and following surgery in the form of shared medical appointments (SMAs). SMAs are weight loss education applied through a group discussion format.

The focus is patient education in a non-threatening, safe environment with emotional support from group participants and the healthcare provider. The format encourages exchanges between members of the group listening, learning, and support for one another.

By recognizing obesity as a disease, the physicians at Lakeland empower those struggling with their weight to seek out the support they need to find success. To learn more about how we can help you lose weight, find wellness, and live your life to the fullest, visit www.lakelandweightlosscenter.com