Our Weight and Lifestyle Medicine Departmentis pleased to offer a variety of shared medical appointments to help you achieve your goals of living a healthier lifestyle.
Shared medical appointments (SMAs) are not just medical visits; they are a community of support. These 90-minute sessions with your doctor and fellow patients, a small group of 10-12, are designed to foster accountability and create a safe, inviting space. Here, you can get medical advice, offer and receive tips and tricks, and, most importantly, feel the support of others on a similar path.
We have several SMAs scheduled over the next several months tailored to the individual needs of our patients.
Managing Prediabetes
Sessions will be held on:
- July 5, 12, 19 and 26 from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m.
- October 4, 11, 18 and 25 from 3:00 to4:30 p.m.
Prediabetes is a health condition that often precedes type 2 diabetes. It is characterized by blood sugar levels that are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes—usually defined as fasting blood sugar levels between 100 and 125mg/dl or a hemoglobin A1c between 5.7 and 6.4%.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 out of 3 American adults have prediabetes, yet most don't know they have it. Prediabetes does not often have symptoms, which is why early detection – through regular health check-ups and blood sugar tests – and intervention are key to managing this condition before it escalates to type 2 diabetes.
If left unmanaged, prediabetes can progress to type 2 diabetes within five years. This might sound scary, but there's a silver lining: prediabetes can be reversed! By adopting healthy habits such as regular exercise, a balanced diet, and losing a small amount of weight if needed, you can significantly lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
In our commitment to helping you manage prediabetes, we are excited to offer shared medical appointments (SMAs) for patients diagnosed with prediabetes. This three-week virtual SMA features group sessions where you'll learn more about managing your prediabetes, get support from others who also have it, and create a personalized plan to stay healthy.
If you'd like to register for this SMA or if you have any questions, please contact us at 617-657-6433. Space is limited, and we ask that you commit to attending all three appointments to get the most from the visits.
Addressing Weight Gain During Perimenopause and Menopause
Sessions will be held on:
- August 2, 9, and 16 from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m.
- December 6, 13, and 20 from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m.
Perimenopause and menopause are transformative phases in a woman’s life. We understand that these changes can bring about certain challenges, and one of the most common is weight gain. Weight gain is mainly due to the hormonal changes that occur during this time. As estrogen levels drop, it's typical for the body to start accumulating more fat, particularly around the midsection. We acknowledge that this can be a source of frustration and concern, and we want you to know that if you're going through this, you are certainly not alone.
Understanding these changes and how to adapt to them can significantly enhance your well-being during this new phase of life. To assist with this, our Weight & Lifestyle Medicine Department is excited to introduce a series of shared medical appointments specifically targeted at managing weight gain during perimenopause and menopause. This 3-session SMA will kick off on August 2nd and will be held each Friday (Aug. 2, 9, and 16) from 3:00 to 4:30 pm.
These SMAs are designed to provide a supportive and educational environment where you can gain insights into the reasons behind weight gain during menopause, explore strategies for maintaining a healthy weight, and, most importantly, connect with others on the same journey.
If you'd like to register for this SMA or have any questions, please contact us at 617-657-6433. Space is limited, and we ask that you commit to attending all three appointments to get the most from the visits.
Considering Bariatric Surgery?
This session will be held on Friday, August 30 from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m.
Bariatric surgery, also known as weight loss or metabolic surgery, is a powerful tool designed to combat obesity. The surgery reduces the size of the stomach, restricting food intake and absorption, which can lead to significant weight loss. More than just a physical transformation, it can also decrease the risk of severe health conditions such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
What makes it a “metabolic” surgery is its impact on hormones that regulate hunger, making patients feel less hungry and increasing their satiety. The most common types of bariatric surgery include gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy. The choice of procedure depends on a patient's overall health, BMI, and lifestyle. Bariatric surgery is typically recommended for individuals with a BMI of 40 or above or 35 or above with serious weight-related health complications.
The Weight and Lifestyle Medicine Department is hosting a group medical meeting for those considering weight loss surgery. The doctor will review your medical history and discuss what care would be like for you personally. However, this will all happen in a group setting, so we can spend more time answering everyone's questions.
Coming to the meeting doesn't mean you have to get the surgery; it's just to help you learn more. If you decide you want bariatric surgery, we can assist you in finding the best options for your needs.
If you'd like to register for this SMA or have any questions, please contact us at 617-657-6433.
Introduction to Lifestyle for Weight Management
Sessions will be held on:
- September 6, 13, 20, and 27 from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m.
- November 1, 8, 15, and 22 from 3:00 to4:30 p.m.
We are excited to let you know that the Department of Weight and Lifestyle Medicine is offering virtual Lifestyle Medicine Shared Medical Appointments (SMAs). Patients learn from the healthcare team and each other in this supportive and interactive environment. The 90-minute sessions allow for meaningful group education and engaging conversations.
This four-week SMA program focuses on integrating science-based weight-loss strategies into our busy lives and learning to manage, delay, or reverse diabetes, prediabetes, or insulin resistance.
Topics include meal planning and tracking, research on nutrition and diets, blood glucose regulation, physical activity, and weight maintenance.
If you'd like to register for this SMA or if you have any questions, please contact us at 617-657-6433. Space is limited, and we ask that you commit to attending all four appointments to get the most from the visits.
