HORIZON HEALTHCARE’S WEIGHT MANAGEMENT PROGRAM CELEBRATES FIRST YEAR - 2010-05-20
In one short year, there have been 319 individuals to join the Horizon Healthcare Weight Management program implemented by Lois Dishman,
“At first, I placed myself on this program and had great success. Then, I approached our clinic director, Julie Aman, and she was extremely excited about us offering this type of service. Once implemented, the program took off faster than I had ever dreamed. I have patients from as far as
Horizon Healthcare, an affiliate of
“In order to have such a successful program, I felt that it was important to assist the patients in making a lifestyle change that includes a healthy diet, exercise plan, and helping them become aware of what they are putting in their mouth. Many people over eat for reasons other than hunger. Or, they may have no idea of what a healthy diet consists of. This program also teaches them that a “quick fix” diet will not benefit them, as many on such diets return to old habits and therefore will not reap the long term results and benefits. This is why in our program here at Horizon Healthcare has had such a success rate. Our patients know that it takes more effort than simply taking an appetite suppressant to lose weight and be healthy. We also understand that sometimes cost is a barrier to patients when choosing a program, and that is why we offer this education and oversight at an affordable fee of $25 per monthly visit,” stated PA Dishman.
PA Dishman guides patients through the weight management program and is a family practice provider who has her masters in Physician Assistant Studies/Geriatrics and specializes in women’s health. She receives assistance with the nutritional planning for patients by the
Robert Murphy’s Story
Weight loss patient, Robert Murphy, who is 55 years young, was glad to share his excitement about the program. Robert entered the program about six months ago after he had already lost about 20 lbs on his own, but then turned to Horizon Healthcare for additional help and has lost 118 lbs. Each weight management patient has their own motivations and for Robert his granddaughter, Madi Lyn, was his motivation.
“I knew that if I was going to see her grow up, I would have to do something about my weight. I listened to the advertisement for 4-5 months, and I then decided to bite the bullet and do it,” said Robert.
“The most remarkable aspect of my weight loss is the fact that this year I was able to walk with my granddaughter as she hunted Easter Eggs. Last year, I couldn’t have done it. I wanted to do more than to just hold her; I wanted to go with her.”
Robert grew tired of sitting and watching and instead he wanted to go! His family loves camping trips and before he had to sit and watch, but now he goes and does with the rest of the family.
Robert shared with excitement, “Papa is now taking Madi for wagon rides!”
Robert has suffered from a mountain of multiple health problems over the years; however, things are changing with each pound lost. He previously was on seven diabetic pills, but is now only taking half of one pill and there is a lot of hope to be off of that pill in the next 30 days. In addition, Robert went from 360 mg of blood pressure medicine to recently being told that he can completely discontinue taking the blood pressure medication. Robert is proud to tell others that his cholesterol is now 101! Robert enjoys his doctor appointments now, even with the specialists in
“My specialists have wanted me to lose weight for years, and they are so excited for me. And, as far as PA Dishman, she keeps me accountable, along with giving me a hug each time I leave. She is proud of my accomplishments, and that means a lot.”
Robert is obviously enjoying life once again and is excited about getting back out hunting and fishing. In addition, he is now swimming one and a quarter miles a day, three to four days a week, along with also doing water exercises. He also talks about how he doesn’t eat like he used to.
“At first, the hunger suppressive pills were great, but after 6 weeks I didn’t find a need for them any more. On average I have lost 16-18 lbs per month, and I am continuing to exercising in order to help tighten the loose skin. I now enjoy life and not food. I have learned that life is not food. I do not like anything to control me. I make my own decisions, and I was tired of fat and food controlling me.”
Today, Robert enjoys healthier choices such as grilled chicken, lean cuisine meals, healthy life breads, spray butter, grapes, and multi-grain cheerios. He also was proud to mention that he hasn’t had any biscuits and gravy since October and he loves biscuits and gravy, but is LOVING LIFE much more!
“When others complain that is it expensive to eat healthy, I disagree. It is cheaper for me to pay the $25 to see PA Dishman than to go back to eating unhealthy. A Lean Cuisines meal is a lot cheaper than a Big Mac! Even an entire package of chicken breasts is less costly than an entire meal at McDonald’s.”
Now sporting suspenders to keep his oversized pants up, he is still working to loose another 100 pounds.
“Before 1981, I was a normal size person, but due to health problems I had to be put on steroids, which drove me hungry. I didn’t do anything, became bored, ate more, and continued to gain weight. Today I am still on steroids for health reasons, but have curbed my hunger, and I have noticed that 900-1000 calories a day is filling me up.”
“PA Dishman is caring and takes the time to listen, and she gets excited for you. You are not a name or a number, you are a person who she truly cares about, and
KaRissa Miller’s Story
KaRissa Miller, a 35 year old wife and mother, saw copies of a family photo taken last summer and didn’t recognize herself and knew it was time to make a change.
“I couldn’t even believe what I saw. That person in the picture didn’t look anything like me. I broke my foot last April, and I had gotten into the habit of always wanting to sit and nap. I lacked motivation to get up and move, and I lacked the energy needed to keep up with my daughter. Soon after seeing the family photo, I ran into a friend of mine who had been on the program and was having great success, and then I knew that I finally had a place to turn,” said KaRissa.
“My first appointment was a real eye opener. I had to fill out a questionnaire for the nutritionist, and until that moment, I didn’t realize that I was actually ingesting a gallon of soda a day! I was picking up a jumbo 32oz soft drink from Hucks so regularly that it actually added up to a gallon. Then, when I was weighed, I was shocked. I didn’t realize that I had gained that much and weighed more than I did when I was pregnant with my daughter.”
As KaRissa progressed through her questionnaire and evaluation, she learned that she couldn’t remember when she last ate a vegetable and found that she was a red meat and pasta eater. Like any busy mom, she was in the habit of cooking a lot of macaroni, spaghetti, and no vegetables. She would regularly skip breakfast or have a big bag of Cheetos with a diet coke.
When she came home after her initial appointment, she went over the new plan with her husband, and they implemented what they were going to change. As a family, they decided to limit themselves to eating red meat twice a week, buying mini candies, and small single bags of chips. Instead of eating junk food after school with her daughter they now enjoy fruit. A Wii was purchased for the family and now, twice a week, KaRissa has play time with her seven year old daughter and then does the Wii workout three to four times a week using the Jillian Michaels 30 day shred Wii game and video 2010.
“Many of my habits have changed since I started this program. I used to have a Long John donut each Sunday before church, but now during the week I have yogurt and cereal bars, and on the weekends I make eggs for the family. At first I took diet suppressants religiously, but then found that I was forgetting to take them because I didn’t need them any longer.”
“PA Dishman is so supportive. If you don’t do everything recommended, she simply goes over it again. She doesn’t condemn you for bad choices, but instead, she lets you know that everything you did do right was a success. This program has taught me that I should want to be healthy for my family and even little successes should be celebrated. I also encourage others not no be afraid to try!”
KaRissa has definitely changed, as she is now lost over 40 lbs with the help of Horizon Healthcare’s Weight Management program. She also has plans to start training to run in a half marathon in October.
Weight Management Program Details
The Weight Management Program cost is $74 for the initial evaluation and additional charges apply for lab services, if needed. Subsequent weight management visits are only $25. For more information about the Horizon Healthcare’s Weight Management Program, call Horizon Healthcare at 618-842-4617 and ask for a Weight Management Appointment with Lois Dishman, Physician Assistant.
“Horizon is offering an affordable option since this service may not be covered under medical insurance. We know losing and maintaining a target weight is a common struggle, but success in this area can lead to many improvements in an individual’s health and well-being,” explained Julie Aman, Clinic Director.
