Choose to Lose

A comprehensive surgical and medically supervised weight loss program.

Are you ready for a lifetime of better health? Are you tired of not being able to enjoy everyday activities with your family and friends? Don't let those extra pounds stop you from enjoying what life has to offer.

Dr. Tyson Blatchford, in cooperation with South Central Kansas Medical Center and FitZone, are now offering a comprehensive surgical and medically supervised weight loss program emphasizing weight control and healthy habits.


The program has two variations so each participant can select the plan that best fits with their health status and long term goals.

Medically Managed Tier - Designed for the "borderline" individual, the medically managed tier provides all of the benefits of the healthy living tier along with psychiatric consultation and increased physician and nutritional consultations. This tier is designed for those looking to lose approximately 10% - 25% of their body weight. Individuals within this tier are not considered likely candidates for surgical intervention.

Surgically Managed Tier - Designed for the endangered individual, the surgically managed tier provides all of the benefits of the medically managed tier along with surgical intervention and follow up. This tier is designed for those looking to lose approximately 50% or more of their body weight. Individuals within this tier are considered likely candidates for surgical intervention.

Each tier consists of a combination of the following activities:
Physician Consultation

The Choose to Lose program provides medical supervision beginning on day one and lasts a lifetime. Once you commit to this life altering program you become the focus of your own health team consisting of a physician, physician assistant, dietitian, personal trainer, and psychologist. Together we can tackle your weight and help you regain control over your day-to-day life.

This program is 100% custom designed around your unique concerns. In order to achieve the maximum benefit, the frequency of consultations with your health team will vary upon your current stage within the program and personal health history.

Nutrition Education

One-on-one nutritional counseling with your registered dietitian provides a unique opportunity to discuss life style and behavior modification techniques in order to promote weight loss and weight maintenance. During your initial session, your specific health information will be obtained and utilized in developing individual weight loss tools necessary for a successful weight plan. Areas of focus include simple meal planning, understanding portion control, making sense of reading labels, watching your calories, and more. For those seeking bariatric surgery, pre and post operative diet phases and meal plans will be reviewed. In addition, the dietitian will be available during various support group sessions to assist with keeping you on track!

Group Exercise Program

The Choose to Lose exercise program is based on HIT (High Intensity Training) exercise principles and incorporates intensity of training with "cardio", circuit strength training, and interval training using the RPE (Ratings of Perceived Exertion scale). Participants meet three days a week for three months and burn about 600 calories per hour. Workouts outside of class are expected along with pre and post testing.

Support Groups

The Choose to Lose program is not just about physical change. We understand that daily struggles with self-image, will power, and physical limitations take an emotional toll on a person. Support groups become a part of your extended family, filled with like-minded individuals who have all experienced the same ups and downs as you. Together you can openly and honestly discuss your concerns, struggles, fears, and dreams as you advance towards your weight loss goals. There are weekly weigh-ins every Monday at 5:30 pm, and support groups follow every other Monday at 6:00 pm. Since there is a close correlation between obesity and psychiatric illness, some patients will also be required to complete an evaluation with a psychologist at the discretion of the physician, along with attending support groups, in order to comprehensively treat the patient as a whole.

Surgical Intervention

For some, the appropriate next step may be bariatric surgery. The surgical procedures offered include the lap band, sleeve gastrectomy, and gastric bypass. Together, you and your health team decide when bariatric surgery is the right option for you, and what type of bariatric surgery is best for your individual needs.

The following links can provide additional information on bariatric surgery:
Body Mass Index Chart
Lap-Band Surgery
Gastric Bypass Surgery

Teams are forming now! For more information on this comprehensive program call 620-441-5796 or
e-mail our program coordinator at kathya@sckrmc.org.
STOP WAITING. START LIVING.