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Sentara Obici Hospital has built a reputation for thoroughly researching the unique needs of Suffolk and Western Tidewater and being responsive to those needs.

One of those needs is weight loss care. A 2018 Community Health Needs Assessment by the Obici Healthcare Foundation found some astounding statistics — more than 80% of adults in the foundation’s service area are overweight, and 45% are obese.

This group of people needs access to medical care that can help them get to a healthier weight; however, before recent additions, people had to travel all the way to Norfolk.

Thankfully, a weight-loss program will be fully operational at Sentara Obici Hospital in late August. This new program will serve not only residents in Suffolk but also residents in Franklin, Isle of Wight County, Southampton County and other points west who need the services of this program.

Dr. Gregory Adams, who will head up the surgical portion of the program, spoke with the newspaper recently and seems to have a full understanding of the particular needs of these communities as well as the options that need to be available for all patients.

We’re glad to see the new program will incorporate non-surgical options, including diet, therapy, medications and psychotherapy, in addition to surgical options. These treatments can help people lose weight without going under the knife. While surgery may be an option for some people, other people may be able to shed pounds with less invasive medical and mental health care, and we believe all options should be available in a given area so that all patients can have the best option for them.