Following is a list of weight management resources that are available in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area.  The Obesity Consortium of Minnesota is happy to provide this listing as a convenience and for informational purposes.  However, we are not responsible for the content of these programs, nor does this listing constitute any official endorsement.  If you have medical or health concerns, please consult your health care provider(s) for advice.  

Eating Disorders Research Program
The Eating Disorders Research Program conducts studies on Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder, and obesity under the direction of Scott J. Crow, MD.  For more information about current studies, refer to the program website at www.psychiatry.umn.edu/psychiatry/research/eatingdisorders/home.html or call 612-627-1991.

Bariatric Surgery
The Department of Surgery at the University of Minnesota has been an internationally recognized leader in the development of bariatric surgical procedures.  The bariatric surgery division has expertise in all areas of bariatric surgery.  For more information, go to http://www.umphysicians.com/clinics_min_objectname_bariatric_surgery.html or call 612-625-8446.  Surgeons involved with the Obesity Consortium of Minnesota include Henry Buchwald, MD and Sayeed Ikramuddin, MD.

Hennepin County Medical Center
The Bariatric Surgery Center and Obesity Program at the Hennepin County Medical Center provides a comprehensive weight loss program including an initial evaluation, full array of services and follow-up care.  Guilford G. Hartley, M.D. is Medical Director of the Center.  For more information, call 612-873-5479 or 1-888-873-5479 (toll-free) or go to the Center website at www.hcmc.org/a_z/obesity/obesity.htm

Minneapolis VA Medical Center
(must qualify for veterans benefits)
The weight management services at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center are aimed at veterans with severe obesity and include a variety of approaches. The most intensive nonsurgical program begins with a two-week inpatient stay on the Special Diagnostic and Treatment Unit.  Physicians are available to respond to changing medical needs and psychologists can be called upon for evaluation and counseling.  Other alternatives available include a ten-week, outpatient program emphasizing a behavior modification approach and a bariatric surgery program.  The obesity treatment program was created and is directed by Dr. Charles J. Billington, MD.  Call (612) 467-4988 for more information.

Minnesota Center for Obesity, Metabolism and Endocrinology, PA (MNCOME)
MNCOME, located in Eagan, provides comprehensive health care and education for patients with endocrine diseases, including obesity.  The Center recently introduced its new Childhood and Adolescent Healthy Weight Initiative, a program designed to help children and their families learn how to improve nutrition and increase physical activity.  J. Michael Gonzalez-Campoy, MD is the Medical Director of MNCOME.  Call (651) 379-1600 for more information or visit the Center website at www.mncome.com/.

HealthEast’s Ways to Wellness
HealthEast’s Woodwinds Health Campus in Woodbury offers a 12-week program taught by both registered dietitians and certified personal trainers. This program, called Ways to Wellness, includes group support, physical activity, behavior modification and basic nutrition. Call 651-232-0901 or visit their website at www.healtheast.org/waystowellness/index.cfm .

HealthPartners’ A Call to Change…Healthy Lifestyles, Healthy Weight
This personalized phone-based course helps build positive lifestyle habits necessary for successful weight management.  Nutrition and exercise experts will contact you by phone to help you establish appropriate physical activity, nutrition, and stress management goals.  The course includes 10 self-paced 15-minute phone sessions. The course includes a 3-ring handbook of the session materials, a pedometer, food/activity logs, and an action planner. Call Partners for Better Health at 952-883-7800 or 1-800-311-1052, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. You can also access details of this program at www.healthpartners.com/portal/3107.html.

Create Your Weight – Weight Management Program
Create Your Weight includes nutrition, physical activity, behavior modification, group support, and body fat analysis. The course is taught by registered dietitians at Regina Medical Center in Hastings. Groups meet for 9 weekly 60 minute sessions. Call 651-480-4369 for more information.

Overeaters Anonymous
A support group that uses the 12-step program to assist individuals in changing overeating behavior.  For more information call 612-377-1600, 888-540-1212 or go to www.overeatersanonymous.org. Various locations.

Personalized Weight Management
Develop a personalized weight loss plan through a series of individual consultations with a registered dietitian.  Meets at Park Nicollet Clinic in St. Louis Park, Brooklyn Center and Burnsville. Fee is $228 for 7 sessions. The first session is 60 minutes with registered dietitian, then two 15-minute sessions in the clinic, and the final four sessions either in the clinic or via phone. An individual, 60-minute nutrition consultation meeting with a dietitian is also available for a fee of $152. Call 952-993-3454.