The Program for Weight Management at Brigham and Women's Hospital is not only about losing weight but also living a healthy lifestyle that benefits the person as a whole - physically and emotionally.
We understand that all patients who come to us are unique and have individual needs. Our comprehensive program gives them the tools to improve their health, lose weight and maintain their goal weight. In fact, our staff has helped hundreds of patients lose weight.
At our Brigham and Women's Hospital and Faulkner Hospital program, patients find help from a team of world-class physicians, psychologists, surgeons, physician assistants, registered dietitians and exercise physiologists who are trained and specialize in nutrition and weight management. In addition, we are also involved in research so that we can provide patients with the most recent advances in care.
People are overweight because of a variety of very complex reasons - we know this. That is why the Program for Weight Management does not offer "easy" answers. We believe that a better quality of life can be attained through better overall health and for each patient we partner with, we strive to find the best balance.
Our "one size does not fit all" philosophy enables us to tailor the program that is best for the patient. We offer a complete range of the most up-to-date weight-loss methods available including nutrition counseling, exercise, behavior modification, prescription medications and, if necessary, surgery.
Through the comprehensive care we provide, patients come to understand their own personal barriers to good nutrition and health. The program, only for those people who are at least 15 pounds over their recommended weight, offers a complete variety of safe approaches for overcoming those barriers. With support from group sessions and guidance in exercise, patients can find all of the help they need.
A Matter of Health
Being overweight can affect the way people feel about themselves and how they interact with others. Often, concerns about appearance overshadow the real health risks associated with being overweight.
Over half of this country's adult population is overweight and the prevalence of unhealthy weights and obesity is increasing rapidly. In addition to the emotional and social consequences, people who are overweight are at risk for many conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, arthritis, infertility and certain types of cancer. In fact, "overnutrition" contributes to approximately 300,000 deaths per year in the United States and is second only to smoking as a preventable cause of death.
The good news is that even the most moderate weight loss, as little as 10 or 15 percent of body weight, can reduce health risks and prolong life as well as enhance the patient's self-esteem.
Taking the First Step
We understand that the first step is often the hardest when trying to lose weight. Here at the Program for Weight Management, patients find a warm, supportive environment of professionals who consider them part of the team.
An initial consultation consists of a comprehensive, one-on-one evaluation by a physician, registered dietitian and physician's assistant. We ask the patient about past experiences with weight gain and weight loss, as well as past successes and failures with weight-loss regimens. This enables us to develop an understanding of their personal goals and to develop a treatment option that will work well-and is medically safe-for them.
Our Treatment Alternatives
The Program for Weight Management at Brigham and Women's Hospital offers a complete range of treatment options to the patient because finding the best and most effective method for the individual is our goal. The patient's unique mapped plan may involve any of the following techniques.
Controlled-calorie diet: This option is designed for those patients who want to lose up to 50 pounds, but can be helpful for others who wish to lose more. A calorie-controlled diet is designed for the patient by a dietitian. Follow-up one-on-one sessions with the dietitian allow for adjustments to the diet as necessary.
