The bad news? There’s no magic word, secret potion or enchanted wand that is going to suddenly transform you into the thin person you know you were meant to be. The good news? There’s a comprehensive, multifaceted and medically sound program that will not only give you a detailed map to your weight loss destination but also be with you every step of the way.

 Sparrow Weight Management Center (SWMC), housed at the Health Science Pavilion adjacent to the Michigan Athletic Club (MAC) in East Lansing, offers, according to Center Manager Kathy Kacynski, “a team approach to weight loss and wellness. Our staff includes physicians, registered nurses, behaviorists, dietitians and exercise specialists.

“Every person who comes into our center is an individual and is treated as such. This is a supportive, understanding and welcoming environment. Many of those who work here have had their own weight loss struggles, and we all understand the challenges, the difficulties—and the rewards—of successful weight loss and maintenance.”

Individuals entering the program have a variety of options, based on the amount of weight they want to lose, their dieting and exercise histories, medical issues and life styles. Some come on their own; others are referred by their physicians or insurance companies. After the intake process, and with the support of the center staff, the individual begins his or her journey.

For those who have at least 50 pounds to lose, the first phase of the eating plan is most often the OPTIFAST® program. There are two variations of this program. The first, medically monitored, calls for six to 12 weeks of a specially formulated liquid meal replacement product of less than 1,000 calories a day. Weekly group sessions facilitated by a behaviorist, dietitian or exercise specialist; a weekly interview with a registered nurse and weekly physician’s visits during the first four weeks and then every other week make up Phase 1. During Phase 2, also lasting six to 12 weeks, conventional food is transitioned in. Patients who have significant health histories require this medical monitoring, especially if they are on medications which must be adjusted as they lose weight.

Some individuals may choose the nonmedically monitored OPTIFAST® program which includes a meal replacement product of more than 1,000 calories a day as well as weekly group sessions and a weekly interview with an RN. This version of the program offers the same Phase 1 and Phase 2 increments.

Kacynski explained, “For many people who have had lifelong issues with food, this phase of the weight loss program is almost like a reprieve. They don’t have to think about food or make any food choices. They see their weight dropping and feel encouraged by their progress and success. They’re making a fresh start with a clean slate when they start adding back in conventional foods and learning to make good choices.”

For those who don’t go on OPTIFAST®, there is a conventional food program, 12 to 24 weeks of store-bought food following a plan developed by the individual and a dietician which includes about 1,200 calories per day. Patients with health problems are medically monitored and everyone attends group sessions and meets with an RN once a week. Those on this program also attend support and educational sessions.

All the programs include seven one-on-one consultations with specialists. Included is a consultation at the beginning of a program with an exercise specialist to receive the Gym-on-the-Go™, a pedometer and a personalized exercise plan; one consultation with a dietician to be used halfway through Phase 2 or halfway through the conventional food program; a consultation with a behaviorist at the end of Phase 1 or the beginning of phase 2; and one consultation with a specialist of the patient’s choice to plan for maintenance.

Exercise is an essential part of weight loss. Besides offering their own exercise programs, Sparrow partners with the MAC to provide opportunities for physical activity at that facility.

At the completion of the program, one year of free followup, including informational support groups, walking and Gym-on-the-Go™ classes, MAC punch card classes and online support through E-Weight Manager, is offered. If individuals attend 26 sessions during the year of free followup, they receive a free lifetime maintenance membership.

There is also a program specifically designed for children and teenagers. SHAPEDOWN is a nationally recognized weight management program for this age group. Family based, it helps families create an active lifestyle and a healthy diet.

Insurance programs vary in coverage of weight loss programs, and individuals should consult their own insurance providers for details.

Kacynski said, “The stories we hear are often difficult, but the transformations we see are heartwarming. It is a joy to experience with our clients the changes in their lives as they achieve their goals.”

Sparrow offers another option for weight loss in bariatric surgery. Dr. Panduranga Reddy Yenumula has performed well over 200 bariatric surgeries with excellent results and currently serves not only on Sparrow’s medical staff but also as an assistant professor with the Michigan State University College of Medicine, Department of Surgery.

Yenumula asserted, “Bariatric surgery is not cosmetic surgery. Obesity brings with it a host of medical problems such as diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol and sleep apnea. These conditions are life threatening. By reducing the patient’s weight, we can control or cure these conditions.

“We base our decision on whether or not bariatric surgery is appropriate on several factors. First, the patient should be between the ages of 18 and 65, have a body mass index (BMI) of 40, or greater or between 35 and 39 with two obesity-related conditions, have documented previous weight loss attempts, and should be referred by a primary care physician. Before surgery, the patient should have both medical and psychological screening, attend the Sparrow Weight Management Center program for a determined period of time and participate in the OPTIFAST® program.”

There are two main types of bariatric surgery. Gastric bypass (the most common type is called Rouz-enY gastric bypass) makes the stomach smaller by creating a small pouch at the top of the stomach; the smaller stomach is connected directly to the middle part of the small intestine, bypassing the rest of the stomach and the upper portion of the small intestine. Patients will feel full more quickly, reducing the amount of food eaten and the calories consumed. Bypassing part of the intestine also results in fewer calories being absorbed.

Another option is commonly called lap-banding. In this surgery, a small pouch is created in the upper part of the stomach with a controlled and adjustable stoma (opening), thus limiting food intake. A gastric band is inserted through tiny incisions in the abdomen and placed around the upper part of the stomach. The band has a balloon from the inside that is adjustable and can be inflated or deflated after the operation.

According to Yenumula, “Right now, we are doing about 60 percent gastric bypass and 40 percent lap-band surgeries. Both have proved very successful. With the gastric bypass surgery, the weight loss is rapid over the first year or so and then tapers off. With the lap band, the weight loss is slow but steady. We base the decision of what type of surgery is best on many factors including the amount of weight to be lost. Afterward, we continue to monitor and support our patients and ask that they attend post-surgical educational classes and support groups.”

The Sparrow Weight Management Center website offers some amazing testimonials of the success of the various programs. It is possible; it is achievable; it is a destination you can reach; and, with the support of SWMC, you don’t have to do it alone.