wHere Surgery, Holistic Care, and Wellness Merge Together
Specializing in General and Bariatric Surgery, and Obesity Medicine with a holistic, team-based approach to long-term wellness.
Delivering Better Surgical
Outcomes Through Expert Care
OBESITY IS A DISEASE
Less than 5% of people can keep weight off after 1 year with traditional diet and exercise alone.
– National Institutes of Health
OBESITY IS A DISEASE
In patients with Stage 1 obesity (BMI 30 to <35), GLP-1 and dual-agonist therapies such as semaglutide and tirzepatide have demonstrated profound clinical efficacy [reducing cardiometabolic risk], producing average weight reductions of approximately 15-20% of baseline body weight over 68 to 72 weeks [1-1.5 years] of treatment.
– New England Journal of Medicine.
Patients supported with personalized surgical care and recovery planning.
OBESITY IS A DISEASE
Patients with pre-diabetes and severe obesity who had metabolic/bariatric surgery were 20 times LESS likely to develop full-blown type 2 diabetes mellitus.
– Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases,
Volume 20, Issue 6, Supplement, June 2024.
Meet Dr. Candice R. Chipman
Owner, CEO
General and Bariatric Surgeon.
Dr. Chipman is a dedicated board certified general and bariatric surgeon. She has spent her career combining a passion for hands-on healing with a deep commitment...
Your Health Deserves More Than Surgery Alone.
EXPERT SUPPORT.
BETTER RECOVERY.
The Holistic
Advantage
- Surgery
- Obesity Medicine
- Nutrition
- Lifestyle Coaching
- Body Composition Analysis
- Long-Term Wellness Planning
IT’S ON US TO SAVE US. IT’S ON US TO SAVE US. IT’S ON US TO SAVE US. IT’S ON US TO SAVE US. IT’S ON US TO SAVE US. IT’S ON US TO SAVE US. IT’S ON US TO SAVE US. IT’S ON US TO SAVE US.
IT’S ON US TO SAVE US. IT’S ON US TO SAVE US. IT’S ON US TO SAVE US. IT’S ON US TO SAVE US. IT’S ON US TO SAVE US. IT’S ON US TO SAVE US. IT’S ON US TO SAVE US. IT’S ON US TO SAVE US.
Body Composition Analysis
We believe in looking beyond BMI to understand what’s really going on inside your body.
Our body composition analysis measures fat, muscle, and hydration levels to create a complete picture of your health.
- Personalized results
- Clear goals
- Actionable insights
The importance of a comprehensive weight loss management program is highlighted with body composition analysis. We will regularly be able to track your progress throughout your treatment and maintenance.
The machine we are using at Surgical Success Specialists, Seca, is within 97% accuracy of the gold standard MRI machines that measure muscle mass, this is better than a standard DEXA that looks only at lean muscle mass. It uses bioelectrical impedance with no radiation exposure.
Dr. Chipman and the holistic care team will use this data to tailor your treatment no matter if you are on the surgical or medical track. Both types of weight loss lose muscle and fat. Our body composition analysis will also allow us to see exactly where on your body you may need to focus on resistance training. Your fitness coach on the holistic care team will be able to tailor workouts specific to you!
Patients will be given access to a portal to be able to track this information themselves!
Anna Dosyak
Registered Dietician
I believe in a personalized approach when it comes to nutrition counseling and improvement of overall health. Evidence based nutrition is the driver of my professional advice in the world of misinformation. Are you constantly bombarded with advice on how to live a 'healthier' life? Whether you're looking to lose weight, sleep better, prevent diseases or just have more energy as you go about your day, my goal is to educate and help you develop strategies for getting your diet in tune with your lifestyle.
Ingrid Dale - Ali
Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Psychotherapist
Ingrid has a long history of working specifically with bariatric patients and helping them to get on track mentally with healthier lifestyles.
Skilled in Treatment of Eating Disorders, Childhood Trauma, Fertility and Adoption, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder, Parenting Special Needs Children, Psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Social Services, Group Therapy, Clinical Research, and Crisis Intervention.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Bariatric Surgery & Medical Weight Loss
Will I lose my hair after bariatric surgery?
Yes, it is common to lose hair and or experience hair thinning after a rapid weight loss. It typically occurs around 3-6 months after surgery will stabilize by 1 year out from the surgery date. The main way to prevent or decrease the amount of loss is keeping up with protein requirements. Many people use vitamin supplements, but the best way to ensure hair re-growth is through keeping up with protein intake.
Will I need to have plastic surgery after weight loss?
Some patients may need reconstructive surgery due to excess skin. This is best discussed if needed with your surgeon.
Is it possible to regain weight after stopping medications for obesity or after bariatric surgery?
Most medications for obesity have to be taken for life. The dose may be lowered, but most patients will need to stay on the medications in order to maintain weight loss. Regaining after bariatric surgery can happen to a small percentage of people. A patient may regain about 5% of their excess body weight after about 2 years post-surgery. All patients, medical and surgical require regular follow-up with their bariatricians and surgeons on yearly basis once established.
Can I be vegan or vegetarian and have bariatric surgery?
Yes! If you are maintaining the appropriate protein requirements you will be fine. There are lots of plant-based protein diets that you can try. For all bariatric surgery and patients on weight loss medications the key is maintaining the protein level daily discussed with your nutritionist.
Will I have to take vitamins for the rest of my life after bariatric surgery?
Yes, we all should be on a multivitamin whether we are on medications for weight loss or after bariatric surgery as there is no diet that encompasses all the micronutrients we need. It is especially important after bariatric surgery as the cutting of the stomach and re-routing of the intestine can affect the absorption of certain vitamins needed in vitals functions such as blood volume production, strength and integrity of bone structure, etc.
Can I get pregnant after bariatric surgery or after being on weight loss medications?
Yes! We recommend no pregnancies for a minimum of 12 months as that is where most of the weight loss will occur.
The main reasons are:
1) You will be losing the most weight in the first 12 months after bariatric surgery and you don’t want to hamper that time.
2) You will be losing a lot of weight and possibly nutrients during this time. During the first 12 months we order nutrition labs to ensure you are on the appropriate vitamins to maintain your health. You don’t want to risk the baby not getting what it needs to grow or risking a birth defect if the baby did not get everything it needed.
Can weight loss help me get pregnant?
Being able to conceive a child and maintaining a pregnancy depend on a lot of factors. These are best discussed with your obstetrician-gynecologist. However, when it comes to obesity and it’s effects on fertility. Adipose tissue, fat tissues, also produce estrogen. This hormone is needed in a specific amount to encourage ovulation. If in too high an amount it hampers ovulation and this decreases the chances of becoming pregnant.
We council patients after bariatric surgery to discuss birth control efforts with their OBGYN to avoid pregnancy within the first 1year of surgery as once you begin to lose a lot of weight your estrogen levels begin to balance out, and this can lead to ovulation. We have had many surprise pregnancies
Am I going to lose my curves or body shape after major weight loss?
Some people do lose some of their natural curves after major weight loss because you lose muscle and fat, however a lot of it can be maintained and enhanced with weightlifting.
I only ate about ¼ - ½ cup of food. If I eat more than that I vomit. Is that enough food to maintain my nutrition?
Yes it is! You will be taught how to prioritize protein, which you will learn is the most important food group. We discuss ways to ensure you have a certain amount of protein at each meal and also into your snack.
Can I continue my anti-obesity medication after bariatric surgery?
In our practice we will not consider the addition of anti-obesity medications until 6+months post-surgery and only if you are losing at the rate expected. Most patients are adjusting to how to eat after surgery, that is how much to eat and what to eat. Sometimes adding medications that have side effects can confuse what is happening due to the surgery and what is occurring due to the medication.
Start Your Personalized Health Journey Today
Get a complete understanding of your body and start a personalized
treatment plan with our expert care team. Book your consultation today.
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