SmartWeight expands following huge success in weight loss
June 8th, 2007
London Medical’s weight-loss programme for obesity, SmartWeight™ celebrated it’s first birthday last month, with promising feedback and the launch of new additions to the service.
Email Support:
SmartWeight™ this month launched an email support option, offering increased flexibility and commitment to it’s patients. The new service will give patients the option of as few as 2-3 clinic visits during the programme, instead of the usual 8-9. This option aims to accommodate patients that live further afield, or those whose work commitments limit their ability to attend meetings.
The patients that opt for the email contact service can choose how often they receive information and feedback, whilst continuing to benefit from all other aspects of the programme, including reviews with Dr. Abraham, body composition tests, blood test and weekly modules.
SmartWeight™ to-date:
Since SmartWeight™ launched in June 2006, 45 patients have enrolled on the programme, with 19 having completed at least one course. The small group workshops have proved to be a popular option - “group support helped immensely” claimed one participant, whilst another considered them a “significant benefit”.
Participants also highlighted the value of one-on-one time with course leaders Angela Hoffman and Dr. Ralph Abraham, considering them “inspiring” and “invaluable” in their feedback.
Success Stories:
The following case studies show just two examples of the kind of success SmartWeight™ has seen in it’s first year.
Mr. Bloggs: Weight loss achieved over 8 months - 27kg (over 4 stone) i.e. 19.6% of his start weight.
Reduced Body Mass Index (39.3 to 31.6kg/m2)
Reduced waist circumference (127cm to 96cm
Improved blood pressure – 180/ 86 to 100/60
Improved HbA1c – 10.4% to 5.4%
Improved fasting blood glucose – 14.8mmol/l to 5.1mmol/l
Reduced oral hypoglycaemic agent – Glimepiride (Amaryl) from 8mg to zero
Improved triglycerides – 2.1 mml/l to 0.7mml/l
Improved HDL cholesterol – 0.99mm/l to 1.5mml/l
Improved HDL/ cholesterol ratio – 0.38 to 0.45
Mrs. Bucket: Weight loss achieved over 9 months - 13.8kg (over 2 stone) i.e. 12.6% of her start weight.
Improved Body Mass Index – 40.7 to 35.6 kg/m2
Reduced waist circumference – 108.5cm to 102cm
Improved total cholesterol – 6.1 to 4.1mml/l
Improved triglycerides – 2.14 to 0.79mml/l
Improved HDL cholesterol – 1.72 to 1.88mml/l
Improved LDL cholesterol – 3.48 to 1.92mml/l
Improved HDL/ cholesterol ratio – 0.28 to 0.46
Patient Comments:
• “It was a great opportunity to come to grips with my weight and diabetes”
• “Find the course leader inspiring”
• “Significant benefit was the group involvement plus one to one time with Dr Abraham and Angela”
• “Overall individual and group support helped immensely”
• “The one to one time during the ‘weigh ins’ is invaluable”
SmartWeight™ Events:
Mr. Dugal Heath, Consultant Surgeon will be giving a talk to SmartWeight™ patients on Tuesday 26th June. He will be discussing surgical procedures for weight management including gastric banding and gastric bypass surgery.
The talk will take place at London Medical from 6.45pm and non-SmartWeight members are more than welcome to attend at a cost of £10. For further information or to book please contact Angela Hoffman on 020 7467 5470 or email angela.hoffman@londonmedical.co.uk
SmartWeight™ is a medically supervised programme and includes individual monitoring of abdominal fat and insulin resistance.