Is Nonsurgical Weight Loss Right for You?

Making the decision to begin a nonsurgical weight loss management program can feel overwhelming. We want to give you as many tools as we can to help you make that decision. Some of the factors to consider include:

• The degree of your obesity
• The presence or absence of other diseases caused by the excess weight
• The number of times you have tried previously to lose weight
• Your family history of obesity
• Your behavioral and emotional health
• Your readiness to make lifelong changes in your eating and exercise behaviors
• Your willingness to comply with lifetime follow-up after the program ends

The Summa nonsurgical weight loss management program is designed primarily for those patients whose BMI is between 25 and 35 kg/m².

Once your BMI exceeds 25 kg/m², your risk for developing other conditions caused by excess weight begins to increase. As your weight continues to increase, that risk grows as well. It is now well established that a BMI greater than 30 puts one at a much higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, obstructive sleep apnea, reflux disease, and many types of cancer. If your BMI is between 25 and 30 kg/m² you are in the beginning stages of being overweight. This is sometimes referred to as a state of “pre-obesity.” As with any disease, this is the best time to take action.

Obesity is defined as having a BMI is between 30 and 39.9 kg/m². If your weight puts you in the obese range, it is even more important that you act now.

If you do not have any other diseases caused by your weight, a physician-based nonsurgical approach to weight loss is an excellent option. The Summa program includes a physician, clinical psychologist, dietitian, and clinical exercise specialist.

Additionally, if your BMI is between 35 and 39.9 kg.m2, or is higher than 40 kg/m², and you do not wish to consider surgery and/or you do not have the weight loss surgery benefit on your plan, the nonsurgical program is a good option.