Non-Surgical Weight Loss — Medical Weight Management at UPMC in South Central Pa.

Do you wish to lose weight, but are not a candidate for bariatric surgery, or are simply not interested in surgery? Do you suffer from any weight-related diseases (like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and sleep apnea) and want to control or perhaps reverse these problems?

Our Medical Weight Management Program at UPMC Pinnacle treats the problems of overweight and obesity as a chronic problem. No matter how you lose weight, you are at risk of regaining. In our program, we work with you to help you learn how to manage your weight for the long term.

Benefits of Our Non-Surgical Weight Loss Program

Our care team includes a physician, nurse practitioner, and a registered dietitian who will work with you one on one. If needed, they will coordinate the following services:

• Work with you to help modify behaviors that keep you from reaching your weight goals
• Refer to physical therapy services to work with you to build a wellness program that you can continue
• Utilize weight loss medication as appropriate for each patient

The UPMC Pinnacle Medical Weight Management Program is based on lifestyle changes, stress management techniques, nutrition education, encouragement, and reassurance to help you meet your weight management goals. Medications, when appropriate, may also be used. If you are interested in surgical options, you will be referred to the Weight Loss Center at UPMC Pinnacle. 

Seeing patients in the primary care office keeps copays down and helps patients feel comfortable talking about such a sensitive topic. These appointments are covered by insurance, but you are responsible for any copays, coinsurance, and/or deductible amounts that are within your insurance contract.

You will meet one-on-one with a provider to determine your weight management goals. You can expect to see the provider every 4-8 weeks alternating the appointments with a registered dietitian. There is no minimum or maximum amount of office visits. That is determined between you and the provider.

Dietary Suggestions

UPMC Pinnacle Nutrition Therapy sees the value in providing patients with long-lasting lifestyle changes. Behavior changes such as mindfulness activities, goal setting skills, and weight management education are all part of your regimen, and meal plans are individualized to meet your needs.

Mediterranean diet

• Ideal for losing weight gradually and making lifestyle changes that will stick
• Promotes fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats
• Encourages mindful eating and staying active
• Flexible and can work with many medical conditions

Partial meal replacement

• Provides a structured meal plan with limited
• Typically recommends 800-1000 calories per day
• Uses meal replacement bars, shakes, or pre-prepared meals for one to two meals per day
• Uses healthy snacks and vegetables to help manage hunger in between meals

Low carb/high protein diet

• Offers lean meats, low carbohydrate vegetables, unlimited salads, and healthy fats
• Advises a restrictive meal plan for rapid weight loss
• Requires monthly blood work

Mindful eating

• Helps you to understand the difference between hunger and non-hunger triggers for eating
• Encourages slow eating without distraction
• Helps you understand how to deal with guilt and anxiety around food

Types of Weight Loss Programs

Our programs are customizable to fit your specific needs and lifestyle. We are here to partner with you and help you set achievable and realistic goals with an emphasis on making long-term lifestyle changes.

Program One: This program is divided into two phases: an intensive weight loss phase and a maintenance phase. During the intensive phase, you will meet with the medical provider, dietitian, and health educator every two to four weeks. This phase is expected to last 24 weeks but may be extended depending on your goals and the discretion of the medical provider. During the maintenance phase, the focus is on maintaining the weight you lost. Appointments with the team will occur once per month. This phase typically lasts six months.

Program Two: This program is structured similarly, however, appointments with the medical provider, dietitian, and health educator occur every one to two months throughout the program. Appointments may occur more or less frequently depending on your specific needs. This program typically lasts one year or longer.

Shared Visits: Both Program One and Two involve individual counseling sessions with the medical provider and dietitian as well as shared medical visits. Shared visits will be an hour and a half in length and involve a group of four to eight patients. Thirty to 45 minutes will be spent with the provider who will address your progress and concerns related to your medical and weight history. The remaining time will be spent with a registered dietitian who will present nutrition information to the group. These visits will allow you to connect with other weight management patients while our providers teach you a wealth of information.

Our Locations

Our program is growing and is offered at many of our UPMC Pinnacle primary care offices, including:

• Alexander Spring FamilyCare
• FamilyCare Lower Paxton
• FamilyCare Silver Spring
• FamilyCare Union Deposit
• Fisher Road Family Practice
• Internal Medicine Camp Hill

To schedule an appointment at one of these locations or to find a location near you, please call 717-591-5638. 

Our Providers

• Melanie Gillman , CRNP
• Lisa Roscher, CRNP