Weight loss & bariatric surgery

Achieve your weight loss goals with a personalized dietary plan designed for you by our licensed registered dietitians. In-person counseling sessions ensure your medical conditions, prescribed diets, and food preferences are addressed to help you safely and effectively lose weight while providing you with the tools and knowledge to live a healthy life for years to come.

What to expect: To build a plan tailored to you, we start with a complete evaluation that includes your health and diet history, as well as an initial health assessment. From there, we’ll work together to build a plan that fits your lifestyle and addresses every aspect of your weight loss journey. During these sessions, you'll learn how to eat healthier and still enjoy your favorite foods.

The program: Our licensed registered dietitians provide personalized nutrition counseling according to your prescribed diet, medical history, and nutritional goals. Counseling helps ensure that you receive a customized meal plan based on your specific health condition and preferences.

Learn about our nutrition counseling topics and offerings or call our weight management team at 847-620-3893.

Nutrition counseling requires an order from a provider. For scheduling, call 847-842-4460.

We offer a variety of procedures including gastric banding, gastric bypass, and sleeve gastrectomy, as well as comprehensive support services to help you maintain a healthy lifestyle after surgery. Learn more about these weight loss procedures, or attend one of our free, no-obligation information sessions (schedule below).

What to expect: You’ll work with one of our nationally recognized bariatric surgeons to determine if surgery is right for you. Bariatric procedures generally result in more weight loss than traditional methods, can improve your quality of life, and can reduce the risks of diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and other obesity-related conditions. You and a guest will also receive a complimentary 12-month fitness center membership at one of our Advocate Fitness Center locations following your surgery.

The procedures: We’ll help you understand if surgery is the best option for you. We offer a range of procedures that represent the latest advancements in bariatric surgery to enhance recovery and lead to better outcomes. After surgery, we host monthly support groups for our patients. These meetings feature topics such as nutrition, behavioral change, or guest experiences. We invite those considering surgery to attend and connect with others who have had success with our program.

How to learn more: Bariatric surgery information sessions, led by a bariatric surgeon, are held twice a month in the auxiliary conference rooms near the main entrance at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital. There’s no need to RSVP and no cost or obligation to attend. We know this is a big decision, and you are welcome to bring a family member or friend for support. Attending an information session is not required to move forward with the program.

We offer free, monthly support groups led by our Bariatric Coordinator. Each meeting features a different topic or guest speaker, and we encourage current patients, people who are considering surgery, and family and friends of patients to attend. Support groups are currently being held via Zoom. Please email Amy.Paulus@aah.org for more information about how to join us.

Please note that in-person information sessions are currently canceled due to COVID precautions. If you are interested in learning more, please call 847-842-4849 or email us at GSHP-WeightManagement@aah.org.

We offer the simple and nutritionally complete HMR Plan, which combines structured diet plans, health education, and lifestyle change coaching for lasting results.

What to expect: To join the clinic-based program, participants must first complete an intake screening that is reviewed by our weight management specialists. Once enrolled, our dedicated team supports you every step of the way. Your HMR coach leads weekly group classes and provides one-on-one support. You will also use the HMR app to keep you on track.

The program: Three phases are included in the program: Quick Start®, Transition, and Maintenance. During Quick Start®, HMR meal replacements are utilized which include prepared entrees, weight loss shakes, soup, multigrain hot cereal, and nutrition bars. In Transition, a personalized plan to reintroduce “outside foods” is implemented. Once you have reached a healthier weight, you’ll move to Maintenance, which includes weekly group sessions where the focus is on key strategies to avoid regaining weight.

Learn more about our meal replacement plan.

Our Weight Management Nurse Practitioner specialist provides medically managed weight loss based on your own unique medical history and health goals.

What to expect: An initial consult is scheduled for an hour. In that time, our Nurse Practitioner will review your medical history, do a full physical assessment, discuss your health goals, and begin working with you to develop a personalized plan for weight management. Your plan may include a combination of nutrition counseling, physical activity education, medication therapy, and health and behavioral coaching. You will have regular follow-up meetings to review the progress you are making and to discuss any challenges you are facing.

How to learn more: To schedule a consult with our Nurse Practitioner, please call (847) 842-4460. A physician’s order is not required to schedule.