Testimonials

Outcomes and Testimonials

“Transformational – that is probably the easiest word. The Hernied Center experience has totally transformed the way I live my life, think about food, experience daily exercise, and consider what is possible for me.

While I was on the fast, I began to realize how seriously I had over-eaten for most of my adult life – something that really had never been part of my reality (I know that sounds rather ‘dumb’ and I am not a ‘dumb’ person; but my obesity was somehow separate from how much and what I was choosing to eat!)  After several decades of failing at one attempt to reduce my weight after another, I was pretty close to despair.  The Hernied Center appeared as the last opportunity for me. I have come to believe two things about weight loss (1) the only person who can change is the one who is overweight and (2) when you are extremely overweight, only a drastic intervention action will be successful. For me the monitored fast was the right choice.

I concluded the fast in nine months – at 165 pounds – half of what I had weighed at my highest weight. I knew that if I returned to my previous eating and exercise habits, I would regain all of the weight in less time than it took me to lose it. Weight loss is not a cure for obesity – weight loss simply allows me to struggle with obesity in a lower weight body. In the four years since re-alignment, I have expanded my understanding of what I chose to eat, how the choices impact how I feel both physically and emotionally, I have regained almost 35 pounds, and am making decisions now about how I feel about that weight and what I might do to reduce some of it. I have skills and the support of the staff and the supplement, as I work through my current struggles.”- Janice

“I like the follow-up, support and maintenance program after you lose the weight. I especially like the small group setting. It’s more personal than other large programs where they don’t even know your name.” – Paula

“At first I was skeptical, but when I realized I could lose weight while eating food I said I can do this. I never felt better than while I was on the diet. To this day the scale says the same thing it said 3 years ago (when I came off the diet.) It really became my new lifestyle.” - Deb

“It wasn’t all about emotions and feelings. They told me why I weighed what I weighed and what I could do to change that. I was very impressed with the breadth of information from physiology to metabolism to nutrition. This is about changing the way you eat food. This is a lifestyle change.” - Larry

“I joined The Hernried Center in July 2007. Like most of us I’d tried every diet and weight loss program on the planet. I have NEVER successfully maintained any significant amount of weight loss. This program has literally saved my life. After loosing 80#, I am imperfectly maintaining a 60# weight loss, &  attend a weekly maintenance group at The Hernried Center. Though of course I wish I was still at my goal, I am working to get back there. This is the best I have ever done at maintaining weight loss with the support & education available at The Hernried Center.  All of my  significant medical problems (sleep apnea, pre- diabetes, hypertension, & significant joint pain) are resolved. I ran my first Half Marathon last fall, always a dream but never imagined possible at this point in my life. Being an RN working for an  Endoscopy Unit, I often meet people for evaluations before gastric bypass surgery. I proudly recommend this program to many of the patients. I find the medical & behavioral support ethical, current, & scientifically based. No gimmicks here – just honest, compassionate help.

From the Rascal Flatts My Wish – “My wish for you is this life becomes all that you want it to, your dreams stay big, your worries stay small, you never need to carry more than you can hold! My new theme song these days thanks to The Hernried Center!!” – Lynn

We have had 23 patients complete the weight loss phase of the Rediscovery program between late April and early June. All of them reached their target weights. Here are their stats:

• Total amount of weight lost = 931 pounds
• Average amount of weight lost = 44.3 pounds
• Average time-to-target weight = just over 5 months

These are impressive statistics by any measure. But the numbers only tell part of the tale, as the transformations represented by these stats can only be understood by meeting and talking to these patients. Short of that, before and after pics (along with some testimonials) help to convey the incredible victory these patients achieved:

Before and After Photos

As awe inspiring as these pictures are, in our minds, the real work is just beginning. Since our beverage-based diet makes losing weight easy by totally taking food out of the equation, the challenge comes in keeping patients weight stable as they negotiate food and meal choices in their new, thin bodies.

And we are probably the best in the world at helping patients to keep their weight off over the long term. We say this because we currently have the best results of any published scientific study or tracking of long-term results.

Long-Term Study Results

In April 2006, The Hernried Center completed its most recent outcomes study. The study examined avoidance of weight regain after completing our recommended program of weight loss followed by at least 18 months of behavioral aftercare. (Our behavioral aftercare program is known as Compass.) The results are summarized in the table below. The results were very encouraging, especially for those completing Compass. It also told us much more about our approach to treating obesity.

Who Did We Study?

We randomly selected patients who had completed at least four months of weight loss followed by 18 or more months of behavioral aftercare (Compass) and compared them with randomly selected patients who did not go to Compass. (In the future, we will extend our study to others who attended fewer than 18 months of Compass.)

Does The Hernried Center’s Program Work?

The Hernried Center has always maintained, “the program works if you work the program.” The study clearly shows that Compass is effective. The patients who attended 18+ months of Compass were able to maintain 58% of their weight loss after eight years. This translates into 15% loss of pretreatment body weight and a dramatic health improvement with reduced risk for diabetes, coronary artery disease and cancer. Obesity-related risk of death was reduced by as much as half. Those who did not participate in Compass maintained lost weight, but not nearly as much as those who participated in Compass.

If you are a former Hernried Center patient and you’ve regained your weight, and never tried Compass, we strongly recommend that you try it now because this study demonstrates how important it is to long-term avoidance of weight regain.

Who is the Typical Successful the Hernried Center Patient?

According to the study results, typically successful Hernried Center patients were not always successful in the beginning. Some went through the program once or twice with little or no participation in Compass and regained their weight back. However, they knew to come back and keep trying until they were successful. Ultimately, they attended Compass and were able to maintain significant weight loss. They also knew to return if there was any partial regain after attending Compass and to stay connected to The Hernried Center for as long as they needed support. They knew that they were always welcomed back and that the program and their behaviorist were there for them.

How Do the Results Compare to Other Programs?

There have been many studies looking at the combination of very low calorie diets and behavioral therapy, an approach which has been shown to be the most efficacious. The best long-term published study showed a weight loss of 3% after 8 years by comparison to The Hernried Center’s 15% after 8 years. The best conventional diet study published was Weight Watchers in 2003 on a lower-weight group. Their study lasted two years. After two years, average weight loss was 3% dropping from 5% at six months. The Hernried Center’s results compare favorably because our comprehensive program has been tested over time, we extensively train our behavioral staff and we understand obesity as a chronic condition that may require periodic re-treatment.

How Does The Hernried Center Compare to Bariatric Surgery?

Comparing surgical and non-surgical approaches for long-term obesity management is complex because each has merits and risks. Making the best choice depends largely on the individual situation of each patient and should be fully explored after gaining the facts and discussing them with weight loss specialists. In general, if non-surgical approaches to obesity (or any other disease) will work for you, then you can avoid the additional risks and costs of surgery. However, the greatest health risk lies with not successfully managing obesity long-term with either approach.

Surgery may be a better option for those who continuously regain weight despite attending behavioral aftercare (Compass) or need the early and intense response of surgery to help them change their behavior. While the medically supervised diet also provides a quick behavioral response, the intensity and effectiveness of bariatric surgery provides a powerful start for beginning lifestyle change. Many patients believe surgery is easier if they can afford it and are willing to accept the risks. Clinical studies demonstrate that a large percentage of bariatric surgery patients will lose and maintain significant weight loss after two to four years. Statistically, however, bariatric surgery patients, as a group, do regain some or all their weight. The risk of regain is evident in both surgical and non-surgical approaches, but is likely higher in a non-surgical approach. For patient considering surgery, The Hernried Center can help because the knowledge, skills and support patients gain at The Hernried Center will make their surgical experience more effective. This is especially true with newer and safer surgical interventions such as the Lap Band.

Long-term (5+ years), The Hernried Center is comparable in many respects to surgical outcomes and it is safer. In addition to the surgical risks themselves, long-term side effects of surgery include (early complications-death, infection, bleeding, leakage, blood clots. Later complications: bowel obstruction, ulcers, strictures, malnutrition, anemia, hernias, gallstones. (These side effects are considerably lessened with the Lap-Band.) Long-term surgical outcomes just being reported suggest that many patients who have surgery will regain their weight. With gastric bypass surgery, there is one opportunity to be successful. Often, the stomach enlarges and hunger returns after 12-18 months and one must still deal with the emotional and physical aspects of food and hunger. The Hernried Center’s program allows as many chances as needed for long-term success and you develop skills by actively engaging issues surrounding food, emotion and hunger as they arise during the course of your care at The Hernried Center.

Both surgical and non-surgical approaches hold an important place in the management of obesity. The bottom line is that both surgery and The Hernried Center’s medically supervised diet can lead to dramatic weight loss and improved health. However, both must be considered as tools and not a ‘magic cure’. The best choice is the one you believe will work best for you after considering all the facts. In either case, The Hernried Center’s medical care, education and Compass program will add considerably to your probability of long-term success. For information on our bariatric surgery programs, please click here.

Are The Hernried Center’s behaviorists and medical staff surprised by the findings?

No. The study confirms what we knew—that obesity is a disease of abnormal energy storage and that weight regain is part of the disease. It is a chronic disease that may require periodic re-treatment. The study confirms that our most successful patients understand this and know when to call us. We know there are good reasons why people regain weight— an injury, illness or major life stressor. These are part of living and we welcome patients back to help.

How does The Hernried Center work?

The key aspects of The Hernried Center remain its Compass program and keeping in contact with our behaviorists. The study shows that it is worth the time and effort and saves lives. At The Hernried Center, we have found 18 months is the length of time it generally takes for patients to master the behaviors which will sustain their weight loss.

The Hernried Center’s unique multidisciplinary program and the special and extensive in house training our behaviorists receive are key aspects to patients’ success. It is important to know that patients have a wide variety of staff to call upon (behaviorists, physicians, dieticians and exercise physiologists) and that your behaviorist has acquired the training necessary to rapidly identify issues to get you back on track.

About The Hernried Center’s study

This study was prepared and paid for by The Hernried Center as part of its own internal research program for the education of its staff and patients and to provide information often requested by referring physicians. It was not funded or sponsored by any product supplier or other third-party and may not be used or published without The Hernried Center’s explicit, written permission.