Baptist Health launches Baptist Weight Management Solutions

With 65% of Florida residents categorized as overweight or obese, according to Florida Department of Health, Baptist Health is introducing Baptist Weight Management Solutions, a new comprehensive weight management service to help adults achieve sustainable weight loss through personalized care plans that include a range of non-surgical and surgical options.

Baptist Health recognizes that managing weight involves more than numbers on a scale. Baptist Weight Management Solutions focuses on helping patients build healthier lives with improved overall well-being, offering customized support for individuals at any stage of their weight loss journey.

“Obesity is a complex, chronic condition, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution,” said Craig Morgenthal, MD, with North Florida Surgeons. “This program offers patients individualized plans — whether that means medical weight loss, bariatric surgery or a combination of both — all supported by experienced clinicians dedicated to long-term success.”

Medical weight loss options

Obesity Management Physician Casey Bonaquist, DO, leads the Baptist Metabolic Weight Loss Clinic, which provides patients with non-surgical solutions using evidence-based, FDA-approved weight loss solutions, including GLP-1 medications, body composition assessments and evaluation of weight-related comorbidities. Patients receive lifestyle modification coaching, with guidance from clinical experts who help them develop lasting, healthy habits.

Weight loss surgery

For those who are candidates for weight loss surgery*, the program includes bariatric surgery options, such as sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass, SADI-S (Single Anastomosis Duodeno-Ileostomy- Sleeve) and revision operations for patients who have had a previous weight loss procedure. Bariatric surgery remains the most effective long-term treatment solution for severe obesity, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Baptist Bariatrics performs weight loss procedures using minimally invasive techniques such as laparoscopic and robotic surgery, which offer benefits including less pain, smaller incisions, reduced risk of infection, shorter hospital stays and quicker recovery. Most patients stay in the hospital just one night, with some able to return home the same day.

Since 2014, Baptist Bariatrics has been recognized as a Bariatric Center of Excellence, accredited by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). The bariatric surgery team includes Steven Hodgett, MD, and Dr. Craig Morgenthal, MD, who are both with North Florida Surgeons.

Coordinated team focused on whole-person care

Baptist Weight Management Solutions brings together a team of experts who work together to support each patient’s unique needs:

• Behavioral health therapists, offering individual and group therapy
• Registered dietitians
• Obesity management specialists
• Bariatric surgeons
• Dedicated advanced practice providers
• Registered nurses and bariatric coordinators
• Health coaches
• Physical therapists

This approach ensures that each patient receives tailored guidance before, during and throughout treatment, and into long-term weight maintenance.

“Successful weight management requires ongoing support,” said Dr. Bonaquist. “We walk with patients every step of the way — from their first consultation to helping them maintain their success for years to come.”

Additional program resources

Patients also have access to support groups, body composition scans, health and wellness educational materials, group nutrition and cooking classes, private social media groups and more.

About Baptist Weight Management Solutions

The program is now accepting new patients. For more information, visit baptistjax.com/services/weight-management or call 904.202.SLIM (7546).

*To qualify for bariatric surgery, patients must have a BMI (Body Mass Index) over 40 or BMI over 35 with weight-related medical issues.