Weight Management at the Center for Women's Health

Weight loss for women becomes much easier when it’s looked at as just one part of your overall health. At the Ohio State Center for Women’s Health, which cares for women across central Ohio with a range of health concerns, we care for you as a whole person, not just as a number on a scale.

What is the Women’s Weight Management Program?

• Because we know that extra weight can be related to other factors, including chronic conditions or serious health risks, we’ll start by checking important measures like metabolism and heart health, as well as current lifestyle and nutrition.
• Once we understand your true starting point and your own barriers to weight loss, we’ll partner with you to design a personalized weight loss treatment plan for better health.
• Even if this plan includes care from other Ohio State Wexner Medical Center specialists outside the Center for Women’s Health, such as a cardiologist, endocrinologist, physical therapist, sleep medicine specialist or others, we’ll continue regular appointments with you so that we can monitor your weight loss progress and provide the encouragement and guidance you need for long-term success.
• This coordinated, supervised approach is available to women of any age, with women in perimenopause or menopause finding it particularly helpful.

It's simply a smarter, safer way to lose weight because it’s a program backed by science and built for women.

What’s included in the Women’s Weight Management Program

We’ll provide the encouragement, and also, science-backed recommendations that are based on your individual starting point and overall health. Here’s what you can expect:

Step one: Weight management testing

We won’t lose sight of why you’ve come to us in the first place – you want to lose weight, and you may be frustrated by previous attempts – but we’ll start with important screening tests to find any existing health risks or chronic conditions.

Depending on your personal health history and overall goals, this can include:

• Cardiometabolic screening – We’ll check for high cholesterol, hypertension, insulin resistance, prediabetes, diabetes, fatty liver disease, sleep apnea and other conditions that can be related to extra weight.
• Advanced metabolic testing – Metabolism is all the biochemical processes your body goes through to convert what you eat and drink into energy. We’ll measure your resting metabolic rate with MedGem® to help us build a nutrition and exercise plan that’s just right for you.
• Body composition analysis – Just checking pounds isn’t the most accurate way to track weight loss progress, so we’ll use what’s known as a SECA Scale to gather detailed information about your overall body composition. As an example, muscle weighs more than fat, so you may actually gain pounds as you add muscle. A standard scale doesn’t recognize this positive change – but a SECA Scale does, so it can be a great way to positively reinforce your hard work.

Step two: Design a personalized weight loss treatment plan

No plan is the same, and your Ohio State weight management team will help you find the right combination of treatment options to help you succeed.

• Medication – If appropriate, we may prescribe medications to help you manage conditions like diabetes, hypertension or weight loss. This can be a great tool as you continue learning and developing healthier habits for life.
• Nutrition counseling – You’ll work with our registered dietitian to create a healthy eating plan that suits your tastes, fits into your lifestyle and can be maintained at home or when eating out.
• Exercise guidance – Based on your current abilities, our sports medicine or Exercise is Medicine® specialists will design a safe, effective fitness routine that can help you lose weight while also building strength and endurance.
• Medical referrals – Remember, we’re here to support every aspect of your physical and mental health. If our conversations or initial screening tests uncover any concerns – even those not directly related to weight – we can easily refer you to other Ohio State experts for additional treatment and support.

Throughout, we’ll keep your primary care provider and other specialists you might already be seeing (whether at Ohio State or elsewhere) aware of any test results, our recommendations and your weight loss to-date.

How long until I start losing weight?

Until we’ve gone through your initial assessment and health screenings, there are too many unknowns to promise any timeline. However, we’ll partner with you to set achievable goals and target timelines.

How long will my weight loss treatment continue with the Ohio State Center for Women’s Health?

At the beginning of our partnership, we’ll meet as often as needed – on a weekly or monthly schedule – and we won’t set any end date to your care. Your primary care physician will continue to receive regular reports on your progress.

Once you gain confidence and reach milestones, the time between appointments may increase. Some people eventually transition their care back to their primary care physician once they’ve reached certain goals, while others continue ongoing treatment with our team to continue their weight loss or maintain results. We’ll adjust your own appointment schedule as needed.

Why choose the Ohio State Center for Women’s Health for women’s weight loss?

We’re here for you – yes, to help you lose weight, but more importantly to treat any chronic conditions, reduce health risks or address anything that’s holding you back from better long-term health and wellness.

As medical-based weight loss experts dedicated to women, we don’t offer a quick fix or fads, but we do promise a program that empowers you and provides the latest personalized treatment options, education and support you need for a healthier life.

Take the first step today

Call us to schedule your consultation and learn more about how we can help you reach your goals at 614-293-2076.