When it comes to losing weight,
we know there is not a one-size-fits-all
solution, unfortunately. But there is
help and there are options out there.
And here with more info from
the weight loss and bariatric
care clinic at Evergreen Health.
Our doctors, Sonia Hans and John Dawkins,
thank you so much for being here.
Thank you. We've been hearing so much
every day in our lives about weight loss,
the journeys, the things. But, Dr.
Hans, let's talk the big picture here.
What does a healthy lifestyle look like?
So a healthy lifestyle has
three integral components to it.
OK, movement, Wellness and nutrition.
Movement is about doing about 200
minutes of some type of activity.
OK, 200 minutes a week.
And it can be anything from a
power walk to dancing to even
playing tag with your children.
OK, You just want to get moving.
Yeah. The 2nd is Wellness,
which has become a bigger focus
on overall healthy lifestyles.
Yeah, that's stress management,
sleep, hygiene and mental health.
Big component.
The third we do talk about
all the time is nutrition.
So that's following a healthy,
nutritious lifestyle plan,
eating, you know, healthy foods,
avoiding refined sugars,
avoiding processed foods,
drinking a plenty of water.
So these three components together
are essential for a healthy lifestyle
and they are a foundation for
those on a weight loss journey.
Yeah,
and I keep reminding myself all the time,
like this is what I just need to do.
Sometimes it's harder than others though
to make sure you're balancing that.
So, Dr. Dawkins, your clinic has three
different pathways to help folks out, right?
Can you kind of describe those
pathways to weight loss for us?
Absolutely. So Evergreen
Health has three programs.
They use an evidence based clinical
approach to help people reach
their longterm weight loss goals.
Our first program is called Healthiest Best.
It's a primary nutrition led program.
With our excellent dietitians we focus
on individual and group counseling.
As part of that program,
you'll get a body composition analysis.
We'll also assess your metabolic rate
so we can tailor our nutritional
goals for your individual Physiology.
They'll meet with the dietitians at
least once a month for six months.
And as part of their program you'll get
the tools and resources and support for
longterm success including cooking,
Whole Foods fitness, sleep management,
reducing stress and that continue
ongoing support.
That's our first program.
Hey, sign me up.
It's a wonderful program
there by our dieticians.
Our physician partner program is very
similar to our healthiest best program.
You would meet with myself for Dr.
Hans and we can offer FDA approved
medications to help optimize your
longterm weight loss and continuing
ongoing nutritional support.
Our bariatric surgery program
is our final program.
This is for patients more severe
advanced disease processes or
comorbidities or need to lose
a substantial amount of weight.
This program is very similar to
the other programs and that you get
ongoing nutritional support both pre
and post op and lifelong management.
But we tend to look at all these programs
as a multidisciplinary team approach.
Every doctor that we that
we work together with.
You know since patients back and forth
we all talk as a team to provide
the best treatment care for patients
really is very comprehensive.
Yes, ma'am. Doctor Hans,
we've been hearing a lot about
pharmaceuticals that do help with
weight loss like Ozempic we go V is,
is it appropriate to use these medications
for weight loss and when is that time.
So weight loss medications all
have their time and place in
someone's weight loss journey.
Ozempic is an FDA approved
medication for diabetes,
yet it's equivalent drug Selma Glutide
or it's say it's called Selma glutide,
it's a coolant medication called
Lagovy is FDA approved for weight loss.
And so Lagovy is what is being very
popularized and it has its time and place.
But medications are something that you
know the when and how much and which
one really requires medical expertise.
And so this is where we advise to work
with a medical expert such as Doctor
Dawkins or myself that understands obesity,
medicines, these medications,
how they can interact,
when they're suitable,
when they may not be suitable.
It's really important to remember
that because they are effective
when used appropriately.
Yes,
that's so important. And I bet you,
I'm sure you all deal with a huge mental
health component to this as well,
which is so much a part of everything.
Dr. Dawkins, what can a patient expect
when they walk in for the first time
for their fur first appointment?
Cuz I can imagine it might be a little scary.
It is scary. It's difficult to lose weight.
And everybody's unique.
And so the first thing we want to
do is try to get to know patients
and establish their goals.
And once we understand the patient's
goals as well as their motivation,
we can tailor an individualized program
to help them reach their longterm goals.
We'll be with them every step of the way.
We have a very supportive team,
you know, to follow patients
for the rest of their lives.
And it's challenging,
you know, to lose this way.
We want people to feel comfortable
to come in and we'll always
continue to work with them.
We encourage anybody who may want to
lose some weight or just go get more
information to come in and sit down with us.
We can take you through the steps
of the program and will support
you weight loss and Bariatry Care
is an excellent program.
We're one of the few programs in
the region that are actually board
certified in bariatry surgery and
obesity medicine where qualified
center of excellence and that's
because we've proven that our
outcomes are FDA approved and
provide great longterm outcomes.
Well, and if the folks are coming
to meet two doctors like you,
I can't imagine how much more
comfortable they would be you.
Thank you both for taking the time to
share all this and explain some of these
things that we've all been wondering about.
Oh, thanks so much for having us.
Thank you. Absolutely welcome anytime.
And to learn more about what we
discussed today and reach out
to the weight loss and bariatric
care team at Evergreen Health,
just visit the website that's
right there on your screen.
evergreenhealth.com/weight Dash Loss.
It's right there. Just check it out.