MaineHealth Weight Management - Kennebunk and MaineHealth Weight Management - South Portland are focused on treatment of obesity in people of all ages. Our integrated team of surgeons, physicians, advanced practice providers, dietitians, athletic trainers and behavioral health clinicians provides a supportive environment free from weight bias and stigma.
Improve your health and quality of life
Adults and children with obesity are at increased risk for conditions such as: hypertension, lipid disorders, cardiovascular disease, mood disorders, sleep apnea, diabetes, menstrual irregularity, liver disease and certain types of cancer. Fortunately, people who carry extra weight can lower their risk of disease through weight loss surgery, medication and behavior modification. Our multidisciplinary team develops personalized treatment plans to address each patient’s individual needs.
Weight management services
Weight Loss Surgery (Bariatric Surgery) is an operation that makes changes to your digestive system. It improves your body’s ability to achieve a healthier weight and has been shown to be the most effective and long-lasting treatment for the obesity. Types of weight loss surgery include:
- Bariatric Surgery
- Gastric Bypass Surgery
- Lap Band Surgery
- Sleeve Gastrectomy
- Single Anastomosis Duodenal-Ileal Bypass with Sleeve (SADI-S)
Medical Management
- Assessment of each patient’s current medications and medical history
- Discussion and initiation of anti-obesity medications
- Evaluation of genetic risks for obesity
Lifestyle Changes
- Individual diet and nutrition counseling
- Assessment of each patient’s fitness level and a plan for increased physical activity
- Behavioral support
- Group cooking and nutrition classes
More about our services
A provider referral is required to make an appointment. Please talk to your primary care physician or family medicine provider about a referral to our practice.
- Pediatric patients must have a BMI that is greater than the 85th percentile
- Adult patients must have a BMI of 35 or greater to be seen by our practice
- To be eligible for surgery the patient must have:
- A BMI of greater than 40, or
- A BMI greater than 35 with comorbidities
Weight loss surgery is a procedure that modifies the stomach and/or intestines to treat obesity and obesity-related medical conditions and improve the body’s ability to achieve a healthier weight. It has been shown to be the most effective and long-lasting treatment for the disease of obesity. This type of surgery results in significant weight loss and helps prevent, improve or resolve more than forty obesity-related diseases or conditions including: type 2 diabetes, heart disease, obstructive sleep apnea and certain cancers.
Studies show that individuals with obesity (BMI ≥ 30) have a 50-100% increased risk of premature death compared to individuals without obesity. Clinical studies have demonstrated significant improvements in safety of surgery, showing that the risk of death is 0.1%, and the overall likelihood of major complications is about 4%.
Overall mortality rate is about 0.1% - less than gallbladder surgery (0.7%) and hip replacement surgery (0.93%). Overall likelihood of major complications is about 4.3%. Clinical evidence shows the associated risks with the disease of obesity outweigh risks of bariatric surgery.
Studies show patients typically lose the majority of weight in the first two years after surgery. Patients may lose as much as 60% of excess weight in the first six months after surgery, and 77% of excess weight as early as 12 months after surgery. On average, patients maintain 50% of their weight loss five years after surgery.
Benefits
These procedures improve or resolve more than 40 obesity-related diseases and conditions, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, certain cancers, sleep apnea, GERD, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea and joint problems. Additional benefits include:
- 60% reduction in mortality from cancer, with the largest reductions seen in breast and colon cancers
- 56% reduction in mortality from coronary artery disease
- 92% reduction in mortality from type 2 diabetes
- 40% overall reduction in mortality in gastric bypass patient
Medical outcomes
| Condition/Disease | % Resolved or Improved |
|---|---|
| Type 2 Diabetes | 86 |
| Hypertension | 78.5 |
| Obstructive Sleep Apnea | 85.7 |
| Hyperlipidemia | 78.5 |
*Source: American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery
