Being overweight can lead to medical conditions such as diabetes, sleep apnea, hypertension, and high cholesterol in addition to mobility, fitness or emotional issues. For many individuals, these obstacles can begin to affect quality of life, preventing them from participating in favorite activities, impacting self-esteem and often creating a cycle of destructive behaviors.
At the Center for Weight Management at NorthShore University HealthSystem (NorthShore), we aim to help you regain your health, confidence and enjoyment of life. We take a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary approach to nutrition and weight management with such services as nutritional counseling, behavioral psychology, internal/family medicine consultation and bariatric surgical consultation – all in one convenient location. From the office suite to the advanced laparsocpic operating room to the hospital floor, our physicians and support staff are ready to meet the unique needs of overweight patients.
Our status as an American College of Surgeons Center of Excellence, which requires programs meet stringent criteria and outcomes, sets us apart from other facilities. We are ready to partner with you on this journey to achieve better health and self esteem.
Your healthcare team includes:
- Bariatric Surgeon – Minimally invasive surgeon with special interest and training in weight loss surgery will evaluate you preoperatively, determine eligibility, perform the surgery and provide life-long follow-up.
- Internal and Family MedicinePhysician – Specializes in weight management issues and coordinates care with your primary care physician (and can serve in this role as necessary). Our physicians work with individuals who would like to reduce their weight through a medical management approach that may combine the use of weight loss prescriptions, diet and exercise.
- Licensed Clinical Psychologist – Supports you throughout the weight loss process, and can perform pre-operative psychological assessments required by insurance companies.
- Advanced Practice Nurse – Specially trained to assist and counsel weight loss patients; performs patient histories and physicals, helps with insurance processing and addresses any questions and issues that arise during your care.
- Dietician – Provides evaluation, education and counseling, helping patients design healthy eating plans to increase successful weight loss.
- Exercise Physiologist – Helps patients realize an effective and healthy exercise plan.
An Integrated System
Our staff assists patients in accessing the wide range of world-class health services at NorthShore – including pre- and post-operative screenings if a patient qualifies for bariatric surgery. We can accommodate obese patients within our system for:
- Cardiovascular risk assessment
- Certified sleep labs to assess apnea and other disorders
- Orthopaedic surgeons for joint replacement and arthritic relief
- State-of-the-art radiological services
- Women’s health and obstetrics for female patients concerned about childbirth
About Bariatric Surgery
The team at the Center for Weight Management may recommend bariatric surgery, a safe, minimally-invasive procedural option for patients seeking significant, long-term weight loss.
Our experienced surgeons offer two minimally invasive operations at Highland Park and Evanston Hospitals - gastric bypass, which restricts the amount one can eat, and also reduces calorie absorption, and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding , which involves placing an adjustable band around the upper part of the stomach.
Both procedures are proven to be safe, and highly successful, reducing associated diseases and improving quality of life. However, neither is a “magic bullet” or an overnight solution.
The Center for Weight Management can help you achieve the lifestyle changes needed to be successful. Our staff will work with you to create a comprehensive post-operative care plan, including diet, exercise, support groups and follow-up appointments, to help you reach and maintain your target weight. For more information on bariatric surgery, visit the Bariatric Services section of our site.
Schedule an Appointment
To receive a consultation with a NorthShore bariatric surgeon, or to schedule an appointment with a physician specializing in medical weight loss, contact The Center for Weight Management at 847.H-E-A-L-T-H-Y.