Obesity Therapies: Not Always Surgical
- ATTENDORN, Germany – The Helios Clinic in Attendorn has been providing obesity therapies since last summer, addressing a growing need in the Olpe district.
- stefan bollmann, a surgeon at Helios Clinic Attendorn, recognized a meaningful gap in care for individuals with severe obesity in the region.
- Bollmann, who previously worked at a certified reflux and obesity center, partnered with Jens Gerstenberger, an experienced obesity coach and therapy coordinator, to develop a comprehensive program.
Helios Clinic Expands Obesity Therapy Program despite Setback
Table of Contents
- Helios Clinic Expands Obesity Therapy Program despite Setback
- Helios Clinic expands Obesity Therapy Program: Your Questions Answered
- What is the Helios clinic Attendorn doing to address obesity?
- What is a holistic approach to weight management?
- What services does the Helios Clinic Attendorn offer as part of its holistic approach?
- Who leads the obesity therapy program at Helios Clinic Attendorn?
- Are there other options besides surgery at Helios Clinic Attendorn?
- What is the significance of the partnership with the Helios Clinic Siegburg?
- Why was the partnership with Helios Clinic Siegburg formed?
- What are the advantages of this partnership for patients?
- Who are the key personnel involved in the obesity therapy program?
- How does the care process work for patients who need surgery?
- Is the expanded program only for surgical intervention?
- Can you summarize the differences between the Helios Clinic Attendorn and Siegburg?
ATTENDORN, Germany – The Helios Clinic in Attendorn has been providing obesity therapies since last summer, addressing a growing need in the Olpe district. Despite a setback in hospital planning approval for bariatric surgeries, the clinic is expanding its holistic approach to weight management through a partnership with its sister facility in Siegburg.
Addressing a Critical Need
Dr. stefan bollmann, a surgeon at Helios Clinic Attendorn, recognized a meaningful gap in care for individuals with severe obesity in the region. “Experts estimate that over 2,700 people in the Olpe district alone, around two percent of the population, struggle with massive overweight issues,” Bollmann stated.He noted the rising number of obesity-related complications, such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, as a driving factor in establishing the therapy program.
Bollmann, who previously worked at a certified reflux and obesity center, partnered with Jens Gerstenberger, an experienced obesity coach and therapy coordinator, to develop a comprehensive program.
Holistic Approach to Weight Management
Gerstenberger emphasized that surgery is only one component of a prosperous weight management journey. “The procedure is just one part of a holistic therapy towards a healthier life,” he explained. “Proper support is crucial, especially after an operation. Patients need guidance on what, how often, and how much they can eat, the importance of muscle mass, and how to structure their new daily routine.”
The clinic offers a range of support services, including psychological counseling, self-help groups, assistance with health insurance applications, and nutritional advice. Gerstenberger acts as a central point of contact, guiding patients through the complex treatment process.
conservative Therapies Also Available
The Helios Clinic emphasizes that surgery is not the only option. “Obesity therapies do not always result in an operation,” Gerstenberger said.”If we find that enduring weight reduction and improved condition can be achieved through conservative methods like sports, diet changes, or psychotherapy, we work with each individual to find the most suitable approach and set realistic goals.”
Hospital Planning Decision and Strategic Partnership
While the Helios Clinic Attendorn’s request for bariatric gastrointestinal operations was not approved in the Hospital Planning NRW, Bollmann and Gerstenberger remain committed to providing comprehensive care. “We regret the decision, but it only affects part of our offer,” Bollmann said. “We will continue to offer all non-surgical therapy components.”
To ensure patients have access to surgical options, the clinic has established a partnership with the obesity center at the Helios Clinic Siegburg. “We were able to win an experienced and certified partner with which we will work closely,” bollmann stated.
The Siegburg center, led by Bente Petersen, medical director, and Dr. Joachim Seifert, chief physician of general and visceral surgery, offers proven expertise in obesity surgery. Bollmann is also integrated as an operator at the Siegburg facility.
Benefits of the Partnership
Bollmann acknowledged that traveling to Siegburg for surgery might seem inconvenient. “However, the advantages are obvious upon closer inspection: the complete treatment can be made from one cast, because I do the necessary bariatric interventions in Siegburg myself,” he said. “Patients only have to come to Siegburg for the intervention and stay there for three to four nights.”
Following the surgery, patients return to Attendorn for ongoing care and support. “After this short inpatient stay,my team and I treat here in the usual environment with the already known faces and the familiar services – nutritional coaching,sports coaching,mental coaching,and much more,” Bollmann explained.
The Helios Clinic Attendorn aims to provide individualized and optimal obesity therapy with comprehensive pre-operative, active, and aftercare programs.
Key Personnel
- Dr. Stefan Bollmann: Head of the Department of General and visceral Surgery at the Helios Clinic Attendorn. Specialist in surgery since 2001, with experience in bariatric interventions since 2007.
- Jens Gerstenberger: Coordinator of obesity therapy at the Helios Clinic Attendorn. Leads self-help groups in Attendorn, Finnentrop and Olpe.
Helios Clinic expands Obesity Therapy Program: Your Questions Answered
What is the Helios clinic Attendorn doing to address obesity?
The Helios clinic in Attendorn,Germany,is expanding its obesity therapy program to address the growing need in the olpe district. This is a holistic approach to weight management.
What is a holistic approach to weight management?
A holistic approach to weight management considers that the procedure is just one part of a healthier life. Patients need continuous guidance on nutrition, including what, how frequently enough, and how much they can eat, the importance of muscle mass, and how to structure their new daily routine.
What services does the Helios Clinic Attendorn offer as part of its holistic approach?
The clinic provides a range of support services, like:
- Psychological counseling
- Self-help groups
- Assistance with health insurance applications
- Nutritional advice
Who leads the obesity therapy program at Helios Clinic Attendorn?
Jens Gerstenberger, the coordinator of the obesity therapy program, acts as a central point of contact, guiding patients through the treatment process.
Are there other options besides surgery at Helios Clinic Attendorn?
Yes. The clinic emphasizes that surgery is not always necessary. Conservative methods like sports, diet changes, or psychotherapy are also available. The clinic works with each individual to find the most suitable approach and set realistic goals.
What is the significance of the partnership with the Helios Clinic Siegburg?
The partnership with the Helios Clinic Siegburg ensures that patients have access to surgical options for obesity treatment. Dr. Stefan Bollmann will also be integrated as an operator at the siegburg facility.
Why was the partnership with Helios Clinic Siegburg formed?
While the Helios Clinic Attendorn’s request for bariatric gastrointestinal operations was not approved, the clinic partnered with the obesity center at the Helios Clinic Siegburg to ensure patients have access to surgical options.
What are the advantages of this partnership for patients?
The partnership allows for a complete treatment plan. For surgery, patients only need to travel to Siegburg for the intervention and stay for three to four nights. After this short inpatient stay, patients return to Attendorn for ongoing care and support, including nutritional, sports, and mental coaching.
Who are the key personnel involved in the obesity therapy program?
Here are the key personnel with their roles:
- Dr. Stefan Bollmann: Head of the Department of General and visceral Surgery at the Helios Clinic Attendorn, with experience in bariatric interventions sence 2007. Is also an operator at the Siegburg facility
- Jens Gerstenberger: Coordinator of obesity therapy at the helios Clinic Attendorn who leads self-help groups.
How does the care process work for patients who need surgery?
The process involves:
- Surgery at the Helios Clinic Siegburg.
- A 3-4 night stay in Siegburg.
- Patients return to the Helios Clinic Attendorn for ongoing care and support after the surgery.
Is the expanded program only for surgical intervention?
No, the program offers extensive care, providing support services for both surgical and non-surgical patients. This includes pre-operative,active,and aftercare programs.
Can you summarize the differences between the Helios Clinic Attendorn and Siegburg?
Certainly. Here’s a comparison of the key aspects of each clinic’s role in the obesity therapy program:
| Feature | Helios Clinic Attendorn | Helios Clinic Siegburg |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Focus | Non-surgical therapies and aftercare. | Bariatric surgical interventions. |
| Services Offered | Nutritional coaching, sports coaching, mental coaching, psychological counseling, self-help groups, assistance with health insurance applications, and more. | Bariatric surgery (performed by Dr. Bollmann and other specialists). |
| Patient Journey | Patients start with non-surgical support or move to Siegburg for surgery, then return for post-operative care. | Surgical procedures and short inpatient stay. |
| Key Personnel | Dr. Stefan Bollmann (in a supporting role),jens Gerstenberger. | Dr. Stefan Bollmann, Bente Petersen, dr. Joachim Seifert. |