Obesity Medicine

Obesity Medicine Clinic

The Obesity Medicine Clinic at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi is part of the Comprehensive Obesity and Metabolic Center. The center provides individualized care for patients suffering from obesity and obesity-related complications.

Led by Western-trained obesity medicine specialists, the multidisciplinary center uses evidenced-based medical practice to manage obesity and improve the health and quality of life of patients. 

Who is a Candidate for Obesity Medicine?

We treat patients who have been diagnosed as overweight or obese. We specifically work with patients who do not want, or do not qualify for, surgical management but who want to optimize their weight or need guidance with weight management. 

We also work with patients who need to lose weight before any planned surgery, like organ transplant surgery, hernia repair or joint surgeries either through medical or surgical approach or a combination of both.

Our Approach to Obesity Medicine 

At the Obesity Medicine Clinic, we understand that every individual patient’s weight loss journey is unique to them. What works well for one patient, may not be suitable for another. 

To support our patients who are struggling with obesity, we offer a patient-centered approach. This means we treat each patient based on their individual needs and preferences. We then work as a team to offer a customized weight loss plan to suit the patient’s specific metabolic and physiologic condition, to achieve the best possible outcomes. 

Our team of experts work closely with patients to create an individualized plan. The plan is designed to empower patients so that they can take control of their life and adapt healthy lifestyle changes that will be a catalyst for achieving weight loss goals through medical methods.

The 5 Pillars of Weight Management 

Led by an Internal Medicine Physician, who is American Board certified in Obesity Medicine and Lifestyle Medicine, and supported by a team of obesity specialist nurses, we work with patients to address the 5 pillars of weight management:

• Nutrition: The biggest influence on your weight, we review each patient’s diet and work with them to develop a healthy eating plan, consisting of a varied, well-balanced diet.
• Exercise: We help patients to devise a sustainable fitness plan to support their well
• being. 
• Appetite control: Learning how to manage your appetite is key to supporting healthy weight loss. For example, swapping high calorie snacks for protein and fiber will leave you feeling satiated for longer.
• Sleep: There is a link between sleep and your metabolism and hunger, so we work with patients to help them improve the amount of quality sleep they are getting.
• Stress management: Finding ways to reduce stress is important for not only weight loss, but to support mental health as well.

What are the Treatment Options? 

For obese patients attending the Obesity Medicine Clinic, there are a range of treatments and therapies that will be offered. These include:

• Medical management: This means treating obesity with medication. We work with patients to educate them on the benefits, side effects and any potential risks of taking medication. We continuously monitor patients to review their weight loss progress and adjust their medication when needed.
• Nutritional support: We evaluate each patient’s diet and provide counseling on how they can improve their nutrition through diet and supplementation. We offer referral to a nutritionist as part of the patient’s lifestyle modifications and pre-op preparation if needed.
• Counseling: We educate patients on the importance of exercise and offer referral to a physical therapist if the patient has limited physical activity and/or musculoskeletal limitations.
• Behavioral counseling: We work with patients to help them identify patterns in behavior which may be contributing to their weight problems and provide educational materials to help them.
• Complete pre-operative evaluation to prepare for surgery, including optimizing medical management of co-morbidities before surgery to ensure the best outcomes.
• Multidisciplinary evaluation for bariatric patients with surgeons, a weight management physician, program coordinator nutritionist and psychiatrist.
• Optimizing weight for other surgeries like orthopedic, hernia repair, GI/colorectal surgeries and organ transplant.
• Post-operative medical management of vitamin deficiencies and medication adjustments as well as addressing sub-optimal weight loss and weight regain.

What to Expect at the Obesity Medicine Clinic?

When a patient is referred to the center, they can expect the following initial assessments: 

• Intensive lifestyle intervention: Patients will attend frequent appointments with our weight loss doctors and bariatric surgeons, as well as receiving ongoing nutritional support and/or behavioral counseling.
• Medical history: Our team will obtain a detailed medical history from each patient including details of any previous weight loss attempts, discuss any physical or mental health issues.
• Medication review: Our team will review any medications that are being taken which may be affecting body weight. This may involve blood tests if necessary.
• Visit summation: Treatment options will be discussed, and the most appropriate approach agreed.
• Evaluation: Your medical team will discuss expectations you may have ahead of treatment and address the level of commitment required. The team will also address any concerns you may have.

Metabolic Health

Learn more about obesity, weight management and your metabolic health and the available treatment options through our informative health library resources below:

• Comprehensive Obesity and Metabolic Center
• Bariatric Surgery
• The 5 Pillars of Weight Management
• Are You a Candidate for Bariatric Surgery?
• How the Benefits of Bariatric Surgery go Beyond Losing Weight 
• Patient Receives Life-Changing Robotic Bariatric Revision Surgery 
• Understanding Obesity 

Don't let Obesity and Metabolic conditions stop you from living life to the fullest. Book an appointment with us today and take the first step towards a healthier future. Email us at [email protected]  and one of our caregivers will assist you.