MaineHealth Weight Management - South Portland

About MaineHealth Weight Management - South Portland

What is MaineHealth Weight Management, South Portland?

MaineHealth Weight Management is a hospital-based practice focused on treating obesity. The South Portland office is a department of MaineHealth Maine Medical Center and was formerly known as MMC Weight and Wellness. The practice also has an office in Kennebunk, and this write-up covers the practice as a whole. In its own words: "Our integrated team of surgeons, physicians, advanced practice providers, dietitians, athletic trainers and behavioral health clinicians provides a supportive environment free from weight bias and stigma."

The services fall into three groups. Surgery options are gastric bypass, lap band, sleeve gastrectomy and SADI-S. The medical side covers reviewing your current medications and history, discussing and starting anti-obesity medications, and evaluating genetic risks for obesity. Lifestyle support includes diet and nutrition counseling, fitness plans, behavioral support, group nutrition classes and behavioral health support. The South Portland office lists Peter G Amann, MD; Rushika Conroy, MD; Carrie A Gordon, MD; Melanie C Rand, DO; Kirk G Sahagian, DO; Lindsay Marie Tse, DO; Lindsay S Harnden, PA; Jennifer L Stone, PA; Lauren M Williams, PA; Hilary W Seymour, FNP; and Larisa M Welch, FNP. Google shows the practice at 3.6 from 24 reviews.

This listing is for its Portland office at 110 Free St.

What does it cost?

It does not publish prices. Nothing says what a consultation, medication, surgery evaluation or follow-up visit costs at the South Portland office, whether a monthly fee covers medication, or whether insurance is accepted. The Kennebunk office says it offers free patient consultations. The South Portland office does not state a consultation fee.

Ask for a written estimate that covers the first visit, the medication, follow-up visits and lab work. Ask whether the office takes insurance, accepts cash, works with an HSA or offers financing. It does not describe membership plans or cancellation terms, so ask about those too.

What should you ask before you book?

A provider referral is required before you can make an appointment, so start with your primary care physician or family medicine provider. The office asks for your BMI, medical history, physical exam notes and recent lab work from the last year, plus your most recent EKG. Ask what those tests cost if you pay cash.

Ask which clinician would sign your prescription, and which anti-obesity medications the office uses. The office does not name specific medications, so ask whether they are brand-name or compounded. Ask whether a monthly fee includes the medication, what follow-up visits cost, and whether visits can be done by video. No hours are listed for the South Portland office, so ask for them. Finally, ask how to cancel.

Who is it a good fit for?

This is a good fit if your primary care clinician will refer you, you meet the adult criteria the practice lists (a BMI of 40 or greater, or 35 or greater with an obesity-related condition), and you want surgery and medication options in one hospital-based practice. It is a weaker fit if you need prices in writing before you decide anything.

Sources: mainehealth.org/locations/mainehealth-weight-management-south-portland, mainehealth.org/maine-medical-center/care-services-mainehealth-maine-medical-center/weight-management-mainehealth-maine-medical-center, mainehealth.org/locations/mainehealth-weight-management-kennebunk

Services Offered

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