Northwest Health Adds Bariatric and Medical Weight Loss Services in Valparaiso

1/9/2024

Northwest Health has expanded its clinical weight loss into Valparaiso. This new office is located in the Medical Plaza adjacent to Northwest Health – Porter hospital at 85 East US Hwy. 6 in Valparaiso. The program, which is currently offered in La Porte and Michigan City, is designed to meet the unique needs of individuals interested in weight loss.

The program begins with a free information seminar where patients can learn about their options and decide if they are candidates for medical weight loss or bariatric weight loss surgery. The weight loss seminars are held once a month and an online version of the seminar is available on demand for individuals who are unable to attend in person. To register for an upcoming seminar, call the Northwest Health weight loss services coordinator at 219-402-5057.

Medical Weight Loss Option

Patients who want to try a non-surgical approach to weight loss will work with board-certified obesity medicine specialist, Kajal Puranik, M.D., and a registered dietician to develop a customized nutrition plan and exercise program based on lifestyle and medical history. This approach may utilize prescription medication for those patients. Weight loss results may vary based on medical history and adherence to diet and lifestyle changes.

Bariatric Surgery Option

For some, weight-loss surgery may offer a solution where other methods have failed. Bariatric surgery can be life-transforming, offering individuals an opportunity to improve and/or prevent obesity-related medical conditions and lead a more active and satisfying life.

Andrew Martin, M.D., a bariatric and general surgeon, performs bariatric weight loss surgery including the vertical sleeve gastrectomy, a restrictive procedure, and the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedure which is both a restrictive and a malabsorptive procedure. Both of these surgical weight loss procedures reduce the size of the stomach and can typically be performed using minimally invasive techniques that offer a faster healing time and less scarring.

Patients who qualify for and are interested in pursuing weight loss surgery will meet with Dr. Martin to identify the best surgical procedure for them, receive testing that needs to be performed prior to surgery and discuss lifestyle changes needed for long-term weight control.

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