Weight Management Program

Which of Our Three Weight Loss Options Is Best for You?

Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric surgery helps you lose weight by making your stomach smaller. We provide several types of bariatric surgery. Bariatric surgery may be right for you if you experience the following:

A BMI of 35 or higher
A BMI of 30 with other weight-related health conditions
Commitment to healthy lifestyle changes and follow-up care

Learn More About Bariatric Surgery

Gastric Balloon Program

A gastric balloon will help you eat less without getting surgery. We’ll place the balloon in your stomach for six months so that there’s less room for food. A gastric balloon is a good option if the following things sound like you:

Diet and exercise haven’t helped you lose weight.
You don’t want weight loss surgery.
You don't qualify for weight loss surgery.
You have a BMI between 30–40.

Learn More About Our Gastric Balloon Program

Medical Weight Management

An FDA-approved medication may be the best option for you if you don’t want surgery or a gastric balloon. We provide medicines that make you less hungry and stop food cravings. You should consider weight loss medications if you meet these conditions:

You are 14 years and older.
Your BMI is greater than 30.
Your BMI is greater than 27 and you have a weight-related medical problem.

Learn More About Medical Weight Management

Find an Obesity Medicine Specialist

Stacie M. Ireland, NP

Medical Weight Loss

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Tejaswi Kompala, MD

Medical Weight Loss

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Jessica J. Morales, MD

Medical Weight Loss

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Susan D. Pohl, MD, FAAFP

Medical Weight Loss

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Juliana S. Simonetti, MD

Medical Weight Loss

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What Is Weight Management?

Weight management is a long-term plan to help you lose weight and keep it off. Our team of experts will focus on the best way to lose weight for you. We look at your diet, exercise, stress management, and health conditions to make a plan for your health journey.

We provide several options for weight loss treatment to get you started:

Several types of weight loss surgery
Minimally invasive weight loss procedures
Weight loss medication

We also provide consultations with our registered dietitians, exercise physiologist, and psychologist.

Mental Health & Behavioral Therapy

Stress Management & Exercise

Why Choose University of Utah Health?

Our team at U of U Health will guide you through the safest weight loss options approved by the FDA. Our weight management team is a collaborative group of experts:

Surgeons
Obesity medicine specialists
Dietitians
Sleep specialists
Cardiologists (heart specialists)
Hepatologists (liver specialists)
Therapists
Exercise physiologist
And more

All these specialists will support your weight loss journey throughout your treatments. And you can get this support all in one place at the Sugar House Health Center.

Why Is it so Hard to Lose Weight?

You have hormones that help control how hungry or full you feel. One of these hormones is called leptin, and it makes you feel full when you’ve had enough to eat. But your leptin levels go down when you lose weight, and your body can’t turn food into energy as fast. Another hormone called ghrelin goes up and makes you feel hungry. Your body feels like it’s starving, and this can make you eat more and gain back the weight you lost. These chemical changes make the work of losing weight and keeping it off even harder.

Other things can also make it easier to gain weight and harder to lose it:

Genes (information in your body passed down from your parents)
Your environment
Not getting enough sleep
Feeling anxious or sad
Taking certain medications

Learn More About why it's so Hard to Lose Weight

What Can I Expect at My First Appointment?

During your first appointment, your weight management specialist will ask you questions like:

What are your weight loss goals?
What is your medical history?
What are your day-to-day habits (including diet and physical activity)

This way, your specialist can learn what hasn’t worked for you in the past. Then, they can help you find the best way for you to lose weight and stay healthy.

Find out What to Expect at Your First Appointment

University of Utah Health: Weight Management in the Media

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Eric Volckmann, MD, discusses weight management, including barriers to weight loss and comprehensive weight management treatments.

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Dr. Juliana Simonetti talks with Surae Chinn of Good Things Utah about healthy habits during the holiday season to help you keep your weight and physical health in-check.

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