Medical and Surgical Weight Loss Treatments at CMC
Obesity continues to impact millions of Americans, affecting nearly every aspect of daily life and increasing the risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, joint and back problems, sleep apnea and certain cancers. At Conway Medical Center’s CMC Weight Loss, patients receive comprehensive, individualized care designed to address obesity as the chronic disease it is.
Struggling with obesity and not sure where to start? CMC Weight Loss offers both medical and surgical weight-loss options tailored to your unique health needs. Call 843-347-3900 or visit CMC Weight Loss to learn more.
In this article
Treating Obesity as a Chronic Disease
“Obesity is a chronic disease, so we have to treat it as such,” said Dr. Zaher Nuwayhid, a board-certified surgeon who specializes in metabolic and bariatric surgery and is also certified in obesity medicine. “It’s like hypertension, like diabetes, like any other chronic disease that people have.”
CMC Weight Loss offers both medical and surgical weight-loss options, tailored to each patient’s health history and body mass index (BMI).
Assessment and Personalized Treatment Plans
“When somebody comes to see us in the office looking for help because they’re overweight, of course first we have to look at the patient as a whole,” said Dr. Nuwayhid. “We have to find their weight, height and body mass index. Because the BMI is what qualifies them to have weight loss treatment, and we can offer them either a medical weight loss program or a surgical weight loss program.”
Medical Weight-Loss Options
Medical weight-loss treatments may include FDA-approved medications such as GLP-1 products and Qsymia, which help suppress appetite and signal fullness to the brain. Recently, the GLP-1 Wegovy has been made available in pill form, and CMC Weight Loss can prescribe these tablets for patients.
To qualify for medical weight loss, patients must have:
- A BMI of 27 or higher with a comorbidity (such as diabetes, hypertension, or sleep apnea), OR
- A BMI of 30 or higher without an additional diagnosis
“For medical weight loss to be successful, it has to be accompanied by a diet plan and an exercise plan,” Dr. Nuwayhid said.
A True Team Approach to Weight Loss
That team approach includes nutritionists who assess nutritional status and monitor progress, as well as supervised exercise through CMC’s rehabilitation center and gym.
“Exercising is also a very important part of the weight-loss journey,” Dr. Nuwayhid said.
Surgical Weight-Loss Solutions
For patients who are not candidates for medication or who require more advanced treatment, CMC Weight Loss offers surgical options including gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy, with robotic-assisted surgery available. In some cases, patients may benefit from both medication and surgery.
Nationally Recognized Excellence in Bariatric Care
CareChex has ranked CMC Weight Loss #1 in South Carolina and in the top 10% in the nation for Medical Excellence in Bariatric Surgery. CMC Weight Loss is also a nationally accredited program, recognized as a Comprehensive Center by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP®), a joint quality program of the American College of Surgeons and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. This accreditation reflects the highest standards in patient safety and quality of care.
“Obesity is a complex disease,” Dr. Nuwayhid said. “It’s really hard for patients to fight this disease on their own.”
Ready to take the first step toward lasting weight loss? CMC Weight Loss provides medical weight-loss programs, surgical options, nutritional counseling, and supervised exercise—all under one roof. Call 843-347-3900 or visit CMC Weight Loss to schedule your consultation today.
Key Points
- CMC Weight Loss treats obesity as a chronic disease requiring comprehensive, individualized medical care—not just willpower.
- Medical weight-loss options include FDA-approved medications like GLP-1 products (including pill-form Wegovy) and Qsymia for patients with BMI 27+ (with comorbidities) or BMI 30+.
- Successful medical weight loss requires combining medication with personalized diet plans and supervised exercise programs through CMC’s rehabilitation center.
- Surgical weight-loss options include gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy, with robotic-assisted surgery available for eligible patients.
- CMC Weight Loss uses a team approach including board-certified surgeons, nutritionists, and exercise specialists to support patients throughout their weight-loss journey.
- CMC Weight Loss ranks #1 in South Carolina and top 10% nationally for Medical Excellence in Bariatric Surgery, with MBSAQIP Comprehensive Center accreditation.
- Both medical and surgical treatment options can be combined when appropriate to provide the most effective personalized weight-loss solution.
