DH is morbidly obese - suggestions for medical weight loss?

[Anonymous]

Hi all,

My DH is morbidly obese and I am doing everything I can to help him. (Working on healthy diet, exercise with trainer, etc.) I'm interested in whether anyone has a recommendation for a medical weight loss center or a nutritionist who is also an MD -- not for a prescription for weight loss meds, but more so for a doctor's monitoring of his weight loss efforts and ability to have regular blood work done (he's not pre/diabetic but there is strong family history). Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

[Anonymous]

Would an endocrinologist help? I ask because my mother has on going thyroid issues and her endocrinologist has helped her tremendously and holistically; weight monitoring, med checks,etc. This doctor also is a bariatrician.

[Anonymous]

Be Lite Medical Center in Fairfax. I was not morbidly obese (or obese at all) but I WAS overweight and they helped me so much! I really cannot say enough. Totally non judgmental etc. I don't think they do bloodwork on site though, but you can just go to a quest diagnostics with the order they give you.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, PPs. We'll definitely look into meeting with an endocrinologist and check out BeLite. If others have suggestions, please do share!

[Anonymous]

Under my doctor's care I did Medifast with amazing results. You can go to their offices as well.

[Anonymous]

The Center for Weight and Wellness on L Street NW in DC. Dr. Kahan used to be obese himself. The center has medical doctors, nutritionists, psychologists, etc.

http://centerforweightandwellness.com/

[Anonymous]

I have a couple friends who did Ideal Protein diet through their doctor's office.

[Anonymous]

Having seen what Atkins has done for my family members, I would suggest their medical clinic, but it is in New York. Perhaps you could have the initial appointment there, do follow-up labs as needed here with your primary care physician, and skype for sessions with them?

[Anonymous]

Ideal Protein.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ideal Protein.

Not OP, but can you tell me more? How does it work? Where does one go for this?

[Anonymous]

A couple of friends did the stomach gastric bypass surgery. That seemed to work and they kept the weight off and it's been several years. Although, if you overheat you can get sick. I.e. Painful cramps?

[Anonymous]

Dr. Kahan and his practice is wonderful. But, it's expensive, so fair warning there.

[Anonymous]

Both my aunt and uncle had the new stomach stapling. I forget what it was called. They each lost 100lbs. It's a lot better than gastric bypass.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Both my aunt and uncle had the new stomach stapling. I forget what it was called. They each lost 100lbs. It's a lot better than gastric bypass.

Lap Band is what you are talking about. I know one person who had LB and took probably 75lbs off at first and over the course of the last 3 years, even with the lap band his weight has inched back up and he's bigger than ever.

If the disordered eating is not cured from a mental health perspective, then nothing will work long term.

[Anonymous]

My DH had gastric sleeve, which has shown better results than the lap band, but is not as drastic as the bypass. There are a number of reputable large hospital practices in the area that do this. Look at the number of surgeries the physician has done (you want someone with many hundreds under their belt) and a practice where they are going to make your husband make the lifestyle changes BEFORE the surgery, not after. That mean he spends 6 months exercising and eating well before he goes under the knife. That does two things: shows everyone he has the intention and ability to make changes, and makes him healthier as he undergoes major surgery, which is a lot safer. Surgery is no joke for the morbidly obese.

But...you can't do this for him, OP. I know, because I tried to prod, prompt, schedule, research, and motivate for years. It took something completely out of my control to get DH to the point where he was ready to do this, and when he was ready he did the whole thing with no nagging from me. He is now 130 lbs less, healthy and happy and doing great.