What to Expect
At the Stanford BMI Clinic, we offer comprehensive weight loss solutions. Whether you choose bariatric surgery or medical weight loss, you can count on customized, high-quality care from our expert team, who coaches you every step of the way.
Helping you take control of your weight, health and lifestyle starts with keeping you informed on what to expect. Learn more:
What to expect with Bariatric Surgery
Many people have heard of bariatric surgery. You may know it as gastric bypass, ‘Lap-band’ (gastric banding) surgery, or sleeve gastrectomy. These are three types of weight-loss surgery we perform.
If you’re considering bariatric surgery, you probably have a lot of questions about how the process works. Our program includes:
- Coordination with your primary care provider. If you’re a candidate for surgery, you’ll need to get a referral from your primary care provider or specialist requiring that you need to lose weight. We will communicate regularly with your referring physician regarding your progress, medication status, and more.
- Medical weight loss as a first step. We believe everyone benefits from preoperative weight loss and we can help you meet that goal as we know there are challenges. A bariatric surgery candidate can participate in our medical weight loss program for up to six months prior to surgery depending on your insurance company’s requirement.
- Comprehensive medical assessment. We will obtain a thorough health history from you, including information about your attitudes toward food and eating. We also will order an array of lab work and other tests to identify potential underlying medical conditions.
- Dedicated bariatric dietician. Your dietician will work with you before and after the procedure to help you learn how to adjust your eating habits for life after bariatric surgery.
- Sessions with a psychologist. Our psychologists specialize in eating issues. They will work with you to help you understand what triggers your overeating.
- Ongoing care. After bariatric surgery, you’ll continue to work with our experts to make the lifestyle changes required for the operation to be a success.
- Support groups. Exchange advice and encouragement with others who have gone through bariatric surgery.
What to expect with Medical Weight Loss
Our comprehensive medical weight loss program delivers truly tailored care based on your unique health needs. When you enter our program, you can expect:
- Thorough health assessment. We will evaluate your health from many angles, including:
- Complete medication inventory
- Blood chemistry labs
- Environmental analysis
- Body composition analysis
- Cognitive testing
- Sleep assessment
- Evaluation of stress level
- Review of systems for possible medical cause of weight gain
- Review of obesity-related conditions to be addressed
- Possible referral to the Gait Analysis Clinic to tailor an activity program
- Personalized medicine. We will use all the information we gather to tailor a weight-loss plan just for you.
- Multi-disciplinary approach. Your weight loss program will consist of a combination of interventions, including medical, dietary, psychological, and anything else we believe will help you achieve your goals. For instance, our weight loss clinic includes a dedicated sleep therapist.
- Complete medical management. Your BMI Clinic physician will monitor all of your co-existing medical conditions (such as diabetes, for example) and adjust your medications as you lose weight. You do not need to manage this separately through your primary care provider.
- Moral support. No matter how much weight you need to lose, we stand ready to celebrate your accomplishments and help you get through the challenges. Our support groups offer you the chance to give and receive advice and encouragement.
Read more about our comprehensive medical weight loss program.
