Medicine Hat Newspaper article - Bariatric Clinic opeining

From Medicine Hat Newspaper - Gillian Slade

Jan 11/2013

A Bariatric Specialty Clinic officially opened in Medicine Hat on Thursday providing support for those battling obesity, with a multi-pronged approach to suit individual needs.
"We use a team approach that recognizes there are many factors influencing an individual's inability to maintain a healthy weight," said Dr. Arya Sharma, Alberta Health Services medical director for the provincial obesity program. "Beating obesity is not simply about exercise and how much food you eat."
The clinic, one of five in the province, represents a shift in focus from treating the consequences of obesity to treating obesity itself, said Sharma. While bariatric surgery is effective for some people they need support before and after, which the clinic will be able to provide.
"This is not a weight loss clinic," said Barb Lockhart, director of primary care and chronic disease management with AHS. "This is a multi-disciplinary team helping people deal with the factors that influence their lifestyle choices."
Bonnie Eleason is one of a select group who have been clients at the clinic in the run-up to the official opening. She has Multiple Sclerosis and osteoarthritis. She's not a candidate for bariatric surgery but has been able to lose 28 pounds already.
"The team, including a physiotherapist and psychiatrist, have been wonderful and hold me accountable," said Eleason.
Approximately half of the clinic's clients will qualify to receive bariatric surgery.
Eleason has been keeping a food journal and wears a pedometer.
"I am focused and when you see that number coming down there is much more incentive," said Eleason, delighted to see the growing pile of clothes that are now too big for her.
Knowing she will need to account for what she has eaten and the amount of physical exercise has been a motivation, said Eleason. Her relationship with the staff has made her feel she is part of the team.
Dr. Adeel Azam, the medical lead at the clinic, says their patients face big personal challenges. Each person, referred by their family physician or a specialist, will be with the clinic for one year before being transitioned back into the community.
"The program we are using is evidenced based," said Azam. "We will also have some people referred to us before they have any type of surgery because obesity is associated with a higher mortality rate."
Currently about 70 bariatric surgeries, accomplished by one physician, are done in Medicine Hat each year. Another physician in Medicine Hat will also be performing the surgery so the numbers are expected to increase significantly.
Anyone interested in bariatric surgery, in addition to meeting certain criteria, would also have to demonstrate an ability to lose weight on their own under the guidance of the clinic and make modifications to their diet.
Medicine Hat's Bariatric Specialty Clinic is located in the River Heights Professional Centre where the Health Living Program is.
Lockhart says there are plans to use video conferencing and teleconferencing to support Albertans who are referred to the program but don't live in close proximity to Medicine Hat.