Our interdisciplinary team includes endocrinologists, surgeons, dietitians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, psychologists, exercise specialists, and nurses to help you meet your health goals. Not sure which option is right for you? We’re here to help. Call us at 612-336-2727.

Medical Weight Management Options

Although weight loss surgery can be the right choice for some, for others, surgery is not the best option. We offer real, sustainable weight loss results with our medical weight management program. We partner with you to improve your health and well-being through weight loss.

Our multidisciplinary team starts by understanding your individual goals and lifestyle, then puts together a plan customized for you. Our goal is to support you on the road to success in achieving long-term weight loss.

Our medical weight management program is tailored to each person’s needs and may include:

• Individualized dietary education and support
• Exercise capacity evaluation and prescription
• Medication therapy (as needed)
• Psychological counseling focused on behavior modification
• Ongoing motivation
• Referral to other medical specialists, including sleep medicine specialists, cardiologists, pulmonologists, and psychiatrists
• Referral to rehabilitation therapy, including physical therapy and lymphedema therapy

Steps to Weight Loss Surgery

If you and your medical provider decide that weight loss surgery is your best option, your surgeon will create a customized weight loss plan that will include a combination of behavioral, dietary and lifestyle changes.

Bariatric Surgery Requirements

• You must be able to understand the operation type and risks. 
• Have controlled metabolic or endocrine problems. 
• Receive an evaluation and recommendation from a psychologist. 
• Get additional clearance from other specialists like cardiology, pulmonary, and hematology if needed
• Follow 3- to 6 months of registered dietary visits
• Undergo preoperative weight loss or experience no weight gain once in the program
• Unsuccessful attempts at weight loss through non-surgical methods
• Overall medical condition good and psychologically stable
• No active substance abuse problems
• Diabetes well controlled with an A1c less than 8
• Non-smoker for at least 12 weeks preoperatively and thereafter
• Building of a strong support system
• Be cancer free
• Not breast feeding by time of surgery
• Proof of break-down or complications with previous weight loss surgery

Before surgery 

• Schedule a consultation and attend a seminar. Evaluations begin with a physician assistant to review your medical history and discuss your goals and options. You'll also meet with a dietitian.
• A psychological assessment helps identify the type of support you need to maintain your goals.
• A consultation with a surgeon provides you with an opportunity to get more information about your procedure and what to expect.
• You must be able to understand the operation type and risks.
• Have controlled metabolic or endocrine problems.  
• Receive an evaluation and recommendation from a psychologist.
• Get additional clearance from other specialists like cardiology, pulmonary, and hematology if needed.
• Follow 3- to 6 months of registered dietary visits.
• Undergo preoperative weight loss or experience no weight gain once in the program.
• Unsuccessful attempts at weight loss through non-surgical methods.
• Overall medical condition good and psychologically stable.
• No active substance abuse problems.
• Diabetes well controlled with an A1c less than 8.
• Non-smoker for at least 12 weeks preoperatively and thereafter.
• Building of a strong support system.
• Be cancer free.
• Not breast feeding by time of surgery.
• Proof of break-down or complications with previous weight loss surgery.

Preparing for surgery

• Changing your lifestyle is an important part of success. Our class "Weight-Loss Surgery and You" will provide specific tools for your surgery.
• We'll create a plan to begin your weight loss before surgery.

Your surgery

• Most surgeries last one to two-and-a-half hours, followed by one to two days in the hospital. You'll be cared for by nurses experienced in weight-loss surgery.

Following surgery

• You'll meet with a physician assistant, physical therapist, nurse educator and dietitian to monitor your progress and address your questions or concerns. We also encourage you to attend support groups.
• If you have adjustable gastric band surgery, your first adjustment will take place about six weeks following surgery. Additional assessments will take place monthly until your BMI is less than 30.
• At three, six months and one year, you'll have a follow-up visit with a physician assistant and dietitian.
• For good health, you'll need to take vitamin supplements. See the supplement list.