While weight loss surgery and nonsurgical treatments are great tools for individuals seeking to lose substantial amounts of weight and keep it off, they aren’t the best solution for everyone. In many cases, programs designed by weight loss doctors that focus on healthy lifestyle changes can help patients see results. Valeriu E. Andrei, M.D., Bariatric Associates, P.A. offers individualized medical weight loss management programs that motivate adolescents and adults to lose weight while promoting healthier behaviors for long-term success.
What Is Medical Weight Loss Management?
Medical weight loss management takes a behavioral approach to help our patients achieve lifelong success. Whereas surgical and nonsurgical weight loss procedures are reserved for extremely overweight or obese individuals, medical weight loss management provides education on lifestyle changes that prompt weight loss. Plans are customized for individual needs and goals and focus on nutrition, behavioral therapy, counseling, advice on physical activity, and more. We’ll also determine if you are a good candidate for any weight loss medications that may support your program.
Programs for Adults
Our medical weight loss management programs for adults address their unique challenges and existing health conditions. During your initial consultation with our physician assistant, you will provide a history of your struggle with weight, including any diet or fitness programs you’ve tried in the past. We’ll also collect information on your family medical history, perform a thorough physical examination, and conduct a psychological evaluation.
Our findings then guide our registered dietitian, who forms an individualized monthly diet plan for each patient. Along with making healthier food choices, we’ll also prescribe a plan for regular physical activity that is appropriate for your body. In our experience in working with adults, even a modest weight reduction of 5 to 10% can improve Type 2 diabetes, blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride levels, sleep apnea, and other chronic health conditions to help you feel better, be more active, and gain confidence.
Programs for Adolescents
Carrying excess weight has a significant impact on adolescents. Just as importantly, these issues may extend well into adulthood. To help teens achieve better health, Valeriu E. Andrei, M.D., Bariatric Associates, P.A. collaborates with the weight loss doctors and specialists at Saint Barnabas Medical Center to offer medical weight loss management for adolescents. These treatment plans address the medical, nutritional, emotional, and social needs of the individuals in this age group who may be candidates for weight loss surgery.
Dr. Andrei works with the patient and his or her family to determine the best medical option for every unique scenario. Every teen patient also undergoes a comprehensive evaluation to identify areas of improvement in lifestyle before weight loss surgery is prescribed. To be successful, adolescent patients must be willing to follow all recommendations and requirements of the program, from diet considerations to exercise. If they are still unable to lose weight, a gastric sleeve or gastric bypass procedure may be the next step.
Learn More with a Free Consultation
Weight loss and healthy lifestyle changes do more than benefit one’s health – they also improve self-esteem, confidence, and overall quality of life. If you or a loved one is struggling with your weight, Valeriu E. Andrei, M.D., Bariatric Associates, P.A. can help. Contact us today to schedule a complimentary consultation to determine if medical weight loss management is right for you.
Adult Medical Weight Loss Management
Dr. Andrei and staff has vast experience tailoring individualized programs for both Adults and Adolescents. We not only motivate people to lose weight but we teach them the healthy lifestyle that will make them successful long-term.
Adolescent Weight Loss Management
Our multidisciplinary team works in close collaboration with pediatric specialists.
We understand that being severely overweight can have a tremendous impact on an adolescent’s life — now and throughout adulthood.