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Mercy Weight Loss Center Introduces Area’s First Physician-Supervised, Non-Surgical Option
The Mercy Weight Loss Center at Dakota Dunes has launched a non-surgical, state-of-the-art weight-loss program appropriate for those who want to lose anywhere from 10 to more than 100 pounds.
The medically managed program offers several dieting options: clinic-based weight loss programs with or without medical supervision, or home-based weight loss programs with complete “do it yourself” diet kits.
Establishment of the new program expands the weight loss options offered by the specialty center to include both surgical and non-surgical alternatives.
“Since research shows that using low calorie, portion-controlled meal replacements produce substantially greater weight loss and weight maintenance than standard diets, all program options use nutritionally complete HMR weight-loss foods like shakes, entrees, soup, cereal, and nutrition bars as the basis of the diet,” said Dr. Ross Bacon, medical director for the new weight loss program, which is part of the Mercy Weight Loss Center at Dakota Dunes.
“Participants in the program may receive a complete medical screening prior to starting the diet, with medical supervision provided as necessary. The emphasis is on teaching new lifestyle skills and healthier behaviors,” Bacon added.
After weight loss, participants join an extensive maintenance program that focuses on simple strategies for long-term weight management.
The new program at the Mercy Weight Loss Center at Dakota Dunes was developed by HMR (Health Management Resources), the nation’s leading provider of weight treatment services to the medical community.
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Mercy and Physicians Collaborate to Create Weight Loss Center in Dakota Dunes
Mercy Medical Center—Sioux City, Dr. William Rizk, Dr. Michael Wolpert, and Dr. Keith Vollstedt have entered into a new joint venture to establish the Mercy Weight Loss Center at Dakota Dunes, a program that provides specialized counseling and education services for weight loss surgery patients in one convenient location.
The new program is now open inside Midlands Clinic at 705 Sioux Point Road in Dakota Dunes, S.D. Jennifer Black, R.N., is the program coordinator for the new center.
Bariatric (weight loss) surgical procedures have been performed at Mercy Medical Center since 1976. Two weight-loss surgery options – Roux-en-y gastric bypass surgery, and the LAP-BAND adjustable gastric banding system – are currently available at the hospital.
Three different surgeons perform the procedures at Mercy: Dr. William Rizk, a general surgeon in practice with Midlands Clinic, P.C. in Dakota Dunes; and Dr. Michael Wolpert and Dr. Keith Vollstedt, general surgeons in practice with General Surgery & Diagnostics, P.C. in Dakota Dunes.
Prior to the establishment of the new center in Dakota Dunes, the pre-operative education and post-operative follow-up and counseling considered key components of Mercy’s Bariatric Surgery program were available through a series of patient appointments at Mercy Medical Center and at the Mercy Behavioral Care clinic, formerly located on Sergeant Road.
“We believe very strongly in collaborating with our physician partners and other healthcare organizations to provide the outstanding care and excellent service for our patients,” said Jaren Johnson, vice president for business development at Mercy Medical Center. “This new joint venture with Drs. Rizk, Wolpert and Vollstedt represents a patient-centered improvement in services.”
“Now, all of the education and counseling sessions prerequisite for weight loss surgery will be more conveniently available in one central location. Bariatric surgery patients – who need and deserve a great deal information and support so they are psychologically and physically prepared for what becomes a whole new lifestyle – will simply be better served by this new program,” Johnson added.
“Dr. Michael Wolpert and I are looking forward to this collaboration and this new endeavor with Mercy Medical Center and Dr. William Rizk,” said Dr. Vollstedt. “We hope this change enhances the bariatric experience.”
According to Dr. William Rizk, the formation of the new center will better serve patients.
“We hope this endeavor provides more convenient access to education and counseling both before and after surgery,” he stated. “Our hope is this will translate into greater compliance and long-term success for our patients.”
The physicians associated with the Mercy Weight Loss Center at Dakota Dunes caution that weight-loss surgery is not for everyone. Patients need to meet fairly strict criteria before they will even be considered for such procedures.
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