The Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence
at Saint Barnabas Medical Center

Our Approach

Our Center offers a comprehensive approach that incorporates several medical disciplines related to obesity. As an affiliate of the Saint Barnabas Health Care System, our Center assures that participants receive the highest quality care. Our health professionals are experts in their fields and have experience with the complications of obesity.

Our comprehensive weight management program consists of a multidisciplinary approach that includes nutrition, exercise, and psychology.

Nutrition

Individual counseling sessions with a Registered Dietitian
First session is 1 ½ hours; follow-up sessions are ½ hour
Sessions may include and focus on:

• Metabolic testing
• Calorie controlled meal plan with or without supplemented protein shakes/bars/frozen entrees
• Appropriate distribution of carbohydrate, protein, fat
• Improving nutrient density of diet (decrease refined carbohydrate, decrease saturated fat, increase fiber)
• Improving portion control
• Improving meal timing/pattern
• Behavior modification (hunger/fullness cues, “all or nothing” thinking, etc.)
• Vitamin/mineral supplementation
• Food shopping, healthy cooking/meal preparation
• Guidelines for eating out
• Supervised Exercise

As a member of the Health & Wellness Center, services include:

• An individualized fitness assessment with an exercise physiologist
• Individualized exercise program consisting of cardiovascular, strength training, and flexibility
• Specific program guidelines to address physical limitations and medical complications
• Monthly re-assessments
• Behavior Therapy
• Individual sessions with a licensed psychologist
  Sessions are 45 minutes
  Sessions may focus on:
• Adhering to lifestyle changes (dietary, physical activity, behavior modification)
• Stress reduction
• Improving self-esteem
• Identifying triggers that would undermine the program
• Relaxation techniques
• Hypnosis – to develop strategies to cope with urges to overeat

Goals of the Program

• Reduce body weight
• Decrease BMI
• Decrease waist circumference
• Change negative habits associated with eating
• Improve nutrient density of diet
• Identify and avoid pitfalls that may interfere with program adherence
• Increase strength and endurance
• Increase flexibility and mobility
• Maintain motivation
• Improve body composition (increase lean muscle mass, decrease abdominal body fat)
• Improve overall quality of life

Patients are encouraged to participate in Support Groups.