Bariatrics Center offers weight-loss program discount to employees

The Bariatrics Center is offering a new weight loss program, called New Direction, to help UNMC employees take the first step toward a new, healthier life.

There are two program options offered:

Very low calorie diet (more than 40 pounds to lose)

• Rapid weight loss of three to five pounds per week.
• Support through weekly group sessions.
• Meal replacements as the sole source of nutrition during weight loss.
• Consumption of 800-900 calories per day.
• Monitored by medical professionals.
• Appropriate for individuals with type 2 diabetes and/or obesity-related co-morbidities, such as hypertension, high cholesterol, high triglycerides.

Low calorie diet (less than 40 pounds to lose)

• Steady, gradual weight loss of one to three pounds per week.
• Support through weekly group sessions.
• Meal replacements and protein supplements incorporated with grocery foods.
• Consumption of 900-1200 calories per day.
• Overseen by weight management counselor.
• Appropriate for individuals with type 2 diabetes and/or obesity-related co-morbidities, such as hypertension, high cholesterol, high triglycerides.

In addition, New Direction offers different components to help you stay on track. These include weekly group sessions with a registered dietician on nutrition and behavior modification and low calorie/high protein meal replacement products. Patients on the Very Low Calorie Diet (VLCD) also will have medical screening to begin the program and monthly evaluations by Birgit Khandalavala, M.D., medical director of Obesity Medicine Services at The Nebraska Medical Center.

Participants in the New Direction program purchase meal replacements and high protein products from the Bariatrics Center. Enterprise employees in the program will receive a 23 percent discount on products.

Patients in the VLCD program also will incur charges for office visits, lab tests and patient education. Patients in the LCD program will incur charges for patient education. The Bariatrics Center will bill patients’ insurance providers for these services. Patients can expect to incur copay and coinsurance charges typical of their insurance plans. Patients without insurance will pay a flat monthly charge to participate in the New Direction program. These charges are in addition to the cost to purchase meal replacement products.

Information sessions for employees are being offered at the following times:

• Today (Sept. 5) at 4 p.m.
• Sept. 9 at noon
• Sept. 12 at 8 a.m.

Register for an orientation session by emailing Molly Wickert (space is limited). If you have questions, contact Wickert at 402-559-2995.