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Weight + Wellness

Getting to and staying at a healthy body weight has lifelong health benefits. Losing weight lowers your risk of developing chronic conditions and boosts your physical, mental and emotional health.

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Lose it your way

If you are ready to lose weight and want to improve your health, we are ready to get you started and keep you going until you reach your goal. We are nutrition, exercise, weight loss medications and surgery experts who will learn about you and what you've tried before. We will be your partner in developing a personalized program. We will be your biggest cheerleaders throughout your journey — when you need it the most and when you're crushing goals.

Happy couple kayaking on the water as they incorporate exercise into their weight loss journey.

Explore our weight + wellness offerings

Lowell General Hospital

We offer a range of medical and surgical weight loss programs. Our team will help create an individualized treatment plan and support you throughout your weight loss journey. We offer non-surgical approaches and bariatric surgery offers:

  • Laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery
  • Sleeve gastrectomy 
MelroseWakefield Hospital

Our surgical and medical weight loss program combines nutrition counseling and athletic training to help you reach long-term sustainable success. We take a team-based approach to help you safely set and reach your goals. 

Tufts Medical Center

We offer medical and surgical weight loss programs to help you achieve safe and effective long-term results. Our team will work closely with you to determine the right approach, from medical interventions like meal replacement to minimally invasive surgery. Our surgical options include:

  • Gastric bypass surgery
  • Vertical sleeve gastrectomy
  • Gastric band surgery
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Conditions

We'll evaluate your overall health and measure your Body Mass Index (BMI). BMI is calculated using your height and weight to determine your body fat. Your BMI score indicates if you are underweight, healthy, overweight or obese. Carrying excess weight puts you at risk for developing other medical conditions such as:

Anxiety
Cancer
Depression
Diabetes
Fatty liver
Gallbladder disease
Heart disease
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Joint replacement
Metabolic disorders
Metabolic syndrome
Obesity
Stroke
Thyroid diseases
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Testing

Getting to an ideal, healthy weight can be harder for some than others. If you haven't been able to lose or have unexplained changes in your weight, our team will recommend tests to understand your overall health better. Tests include:

  • Blood tests
  • Electrocardiogram
  • Fibroscan (for fatty liver assessment) 
  • Gallbladder ultrasound
  • HIDA scan
  • Metabolic tests
  • Ultrasound elastography
  • MR elastography
  • X-ray

 

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Treatments

Weight loss is different for everyone, so there are multiple ways to achieve your goals. Our team-based approach includes experts from across Tufts Medicine working together to help you reach your wellness objectives. Treatment paths may include fatty liver medication and clinical pharmacist-directed medical weight loss medication monitoring. Learn more about additional treatment options below: 

Bariatric (weight loss) surgery

Our surgeons make several tiny incisions of 1 inch or less that are nearly invisible once healed. Weight loss surgery options include:

  • Gastric bypass surgery
  • Vertical sleeve gastrectomy
  • Gastric band surgery
Meal replacement

Another option to help you lose weight by controlling calories and making healthy choices through a meal replacement plan. Food in this program comes prepared for you and may include shakes, soups, puddings, snacks and bars. With a supportive dietitian by your side, you can expect a customized weight loss plan, weight and blood pressure monitoring, support groups and individual support.  

Medical weight loss

Are you looking to lose weight using medical, nutritional and lifestyle changes? We are focused on helping you lose weight and keep it off so you can be your healthiest self.

Our intensive program combines nutrition counseling and exercise in an intensive weight loss program to help you reach long-term success with our nutrition and weight-related issues experts.

Our medical weight loss program includes:

  • Behavior and lifestyle coaching
  • Nutrition
  • Exercise program
  • Medication management
  • Meal replacement program
  • Weight loss medication
Nutrition counseling

Our registered dietitians provide nutrition counseling for people with nutritional disorders specialized programs. We care for people with malabsorption issues, intestinal failure, underweight, failure to thrive, protein energy malnutrition and obesity.

Medical weight loss medication

Our team of clinical pharmacists will support you as you take any medical weight loss medications. These may include GLP-1 agonists, which are medications primarily used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity to help regulate blood sugar levels and appetite. Learn more about if weight loss medications are right for you.

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FAQs

Am I a candidate for medical weight loss?

You may consider a medical weight loss program if you have more than 20 pounds to lose, have tried to lose weight on your own, or have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or above.

When should I get weight loss surgery?

Weight loss surgery may be an option if other weight loss methods haven't worked or you have a weight-related health problem such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes or heart disease.

Will losing weight after surgery help improve my other health issues?

Usually, yes. Significant weight loss can help reduce health issues and lower the risk of life-threatening diseases like cancer. It can also greatly improve your quality of life.

How long will I stay in the hospital after weight loss surgery?

You will likely spend one or two days in the hospital, depending on the type of weight loss surgery you have.

Do you need surgery to remove excess skin after weight loss surgery?

You may consider body sculpting once you have reached your target body weight and maintain a steady weight. Body sculpting procedures remove loose skin and tighten body areas like the upper arms, stomach, thigh and waist.

Will my insurance cover weight loss surgery?

Many insurance plans cover weight loss surgery. Call your insurance provider to find out about coverage.

Anasuya Gunturi MD, PhD talks with patient at Lowell General Hospital's Women's Wellness Center clinic appointment.
Our locations

From regular office visits to inpatient stays, find the healthcare you need and deserve close to home.

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Our doctors + care team

Meet the doctors and care team devoted to supporting you every step of the way along your path to better health.

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Obesity, Pregnancy
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