The weight loss programs available through Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Grapevine stand out for their array of patient resources and diverse, dedicated team of weight loss experts. The hospital offers both medical weight loss options and weight loss surgery—also known as bariatric surgery—and was recently named one of the top five hospitals for bariatric surgery in the nation by Money magazine.

In this Q&A, Sina Matin, MD, medical director of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery at Baylor Scott & White – Grapevine, talks about how the team offers patients an individualized approach to weight loss and support.

What does the bariatric surgery program look like?

Dr. Matin: We have a comprehensive program that’s unique in the sense that we work closely with the patient and utilize additional testing such as body composition and indirect calorimetry to determine the right type of surgery for each patient. Once the patient’s individual plan of care is determined, the team will schedule education classes and offer support groups to prepare the patient for the surgical journey.

How do physicians help patients decide if they are a better candidate for medical weight loss or surgical weight loss?

Dr. Matin: There's a process at the beginning of the medical evaluation where physicians look at the patient’s medical and surgical history, along with their weight loss goals, to select the best treatment option. We use similar testing with our surgery program to calculate resting metabolic rate, which helps determine the treatment option that may best help the patient and provider achieve the desired outcomes. This is all in the context of the patient’s current weight and their future goal weight, let's say, a year from now. Then we’ll work with the patient to decide whether to pursue treatment that is surgical, medical or a combination.

How do physicians support patients through the weight loss process?

Dr. Matin: Both the surgical and non-surgical pathways are designed to foster accountability, while providing education and clinical and peer support. This is accomplished through one-on-one sessions, group visits, virtual visits and live support groups. Each pathway has its own handbook for patients. The surgery handbook spells out what happens every week after surgery to encourage and motivate them. The non-surgical handbook provides resources for meal planning, grocery shopping and movement goals to maximize results.

The nursing team works closely with physicians to keep a close eye on patients through follow-up phone calls after surgery, or, for patients on anti-obesity medications, monitoring them for side effects. Patients can stay connected to us via the patient portal. The standard for follow-up visits after surgery is three weeks, five weeks, three months, and then at three-month intervals for the first year. Standard follow up for non-surgical patients is every other month.

What makes this program at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center—Grapevine unique?

Dr. Matin: We established the program about 16 years ago and have always evolved with the ever-changing field of obesity treatment. We've been around a long time, and we push through barriers to bring patients and innovative treatments together. We have an incredible support staff and a hospital administration that supports the growing needs of our community and clinic. We have two full-time nurse practitioners, three full-time, board-certified, master-level dietitians, three registered nurses, insurance specialists, and administrative assistants to handle the patient’s needs. This team is dedicated to comprehensive, unbiased and evidenced-based care to help empower our patients to achieve their weight loss goals.

Learn more

Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Grapevine is located at 1650 W. College St., Grapevine. To find compassionate, quality care on your weight loss journey, make an appointment by calling 817-305-5061. To download the free MyBSWHealth app, visit www.mybswhealth.com/download.

The above story was produced by Multi-platform Journalist Mary Katherine Shapiro with Community Impact's Storytelling team with information solely provided by the local business as part of their "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.

Legal Disclaimer: Physicians provide clinical services as members of the medical staff at one of Baylor Scott & White Health’s subsidiary, community, or affiliated medical centers and do not provide clinical services as employees or agents of those medical centers or Baylor Scott & White Health.