Lakeland Health: Wellness Events

Bariatric Surgeons to Discuss Weight Loss Options

(ST. JOSEPH) – The Lakeland Comprehensive Weight Loss Center is offering a series of free seminars titled, “Lose Weight…Find Health.” The first seminar will take place on Wednesday, November 1 in the Frederick S. Upton Education Center at Lakeland Medical Center, St. Joseph, located at 1234 Napier Avenue. A second seminar will be held on Wednesday, November 15 in the Community Conference Room at the Lakeland Medical Suites, located at 42 North St. Joseph Avenue in Niles. Both seminars will take place from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.

Bariatric surgeons Jill Gorsuch, DO, and Michael Schuhknecht, DO, will discuss programs available for losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight for years to come. The Lakeland Comprehensive Weight Loss Center specializes in working with each person to create a customized lifestyle plan, including medical weight loss management through diet or bariatric surgery, nutrition counseling, individualized exercise programs, and monthly support groups.

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, about 190 million adults in the United States are overweight and obese. Individuals more than 40% overweight are twice as likely to die prematurely as someone of average weight. However, the good news is that losing as little as 5-15% of your initial body weight can reduce your risk of diabetes and other illnesses, and can even eliminate your need for some medications.

For more information or to register for the seminar, visit www.lakelandweightlosscenter.com/events or call (269) 927-5361.

Learn to Reduce Your Risk of Diabetes

(ST. JOSEPH) – Lakeland Health is offering a free program designed to help anyone with higher-than-normal blood sugar levels learn about lifestyle changes which may help them avoid or delay the onset of diabetes. The class will take place on Thursday, November 2, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in Pharmacy Conference Room at the Center for Outpatient Services, located at 3900 Hollywood Road in St. Joseph.

During the first hour of the program, a registered nurse will guide attendees through the disease process of diabetes and introduce healthy lifestyle changes. The final hour will be spent with a registered dietitian who will suggest meal selections that can help you maintain health and manage weight.

This program does not require a physician referral. Pre-registration is required, and class size is limited. For more information or to register, call (269) 556-2868.

Bones in Balance Classes Helps Individuals with Osteoporosis

(ST. JOSEPH) – Lakeland Orthopedic Physical Therapy is now enrolling participants for Bones in Balance, a four-week program designed to teach those diagnosed with osteoporosis and osteopenia how to successfully live with these conditions through self-management. Bones in Balance incorporates education and exercise and is led by specially trained physical therapists. The program includes valuable self-management tips from a pharmacist, registered dietitian, and nurse educator.

Classes meet twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays for a four-week period at the Center for Outpatient Services, located at 3900 Hollywood Road in St. Joseph. Registration is now open for the next set of classes which will run from November 7 to 30 and be held at 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. or 5:00 to 7:30 p.m.

Osteoporosis is a debilitating disease that affects over 44 million Americans, and although both men and women can develop the disease, over 80 percent of sufferers are women over the age of 45. Osteoporosis is commonly referred to as “the silent disease,” because bone loss occurs without any visible symptoms at first. Many people don’t realize they have osteoporosis until their bones are so weak that the smallest strain or fall causes a bone to fracture.

A physician’s order is required to participate. There is a $25 registration fee to cover the cost of materials; the remaining amount is billable to your insurance. For more information or to register, call (269) 556-7150.

General Surgeon to Discuss Varicose Veins During Free Seminar

(ST. JOSEPH) – Community members are invited to join general surgeon, Glen Hastings, MD, FACS, for a series of free educational seminars titled, “Find Relief from Varicose Veins.” The first seminar will take place on Tuesday, November 7 in the Conference Room at Lakeland at Meadowbrook, located at 2550 Meadowbrook Road in Benton Harbor. A second seminar will take place on Thursday, November 9 in Classrooms A and B at Lakeland Hospital, Watervliet, located at 400 Medical Park Drive. Both seminars will be held from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.

During the seminar, Dr. Hastings will discuss causes and symptoms of varicose veins as well as available treatment options using state-of-the-art, minimally invasive technology.

“If you experience tired, heavy legs at the end of the day and painful, restless legs overnight you may have varicose veins,” said Dr. Hastings. “Keep in mind you don’t have to see varicose veins to suffer from them.”

Preregistration is encouraged; walk-ins are welcome. For more information or to register, call (269) 927-5361 or visit www.lakelandhealth.org/legpain.

Is Your Heart Pumping as Well as it Should?

Free Class Discusses Heart Failure

(ST. JOSEPH) –  Lakeland Health will offer “Living Well with Heart Failure,” a free class for community members about congestive heart failure (CHF), a chronic condition characterized by the heart’s inability to meet the blood flow needs of the body. The program will take place on Tuesday, November 7, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. in the Community Room at the Center for Outpatient Services, located at 3900 Hollywood Road in St. Joseph.

Participants will learn to identify common causes and symptoms of heart failure, as well as new daily routines that can dramatically improve one’s quality of life. Preregistration for the class is required; call (269) 556-2808 or (866) 260-7544.

Blood Drive Set for November 10

(ST. JOSEPH) – Michigan Blood is hosting an upcoming community blood drive on Friday, November 10 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Frederick S. Upton Education Center at Lakeland Medical Center, St. Joseph, located at 1234 Napier Avenue.

Michigan Blood is an independent, non-profit blood bank that is the provider of choice for Michigan hospitals, including Lakeland Health facilities. Community blood drives benefit local patients, including those receiving treatment for trauma, surgery, those with bleeding disorders, and those undergoing treatment for cancer. According to Michigan Blood, one out of every seven people entering the hospital will need blood, and 4.5 million Americans would die each year without blood transfusions.

Any healthy person age 17 or older (or age 16 with permission from a parent or guardian) and weighing at least 112 pounds is welcome to donate blood. Participants should plan on 45 to 60 minutes for the entire donation process, including a brief pre-donation health screening and a snack/rest period following donation.

To learn more about blood donation, visit www.miblood.org or call 866-MI-BLOOD. Visit www.lakelandhealth.org or find Lakeland Health on Facebook or Twitter for more events at Lakeland facilities.

Free Community Event Focuses on Managing Diabetes

(ST. JOSEPH) – A free community event will help individuals diagnosed with diabetes, their family, and caregivers learn ways to stay on track. “Managing Diabetes – It’s Not Easy, But It’s Worth It” will take place on Tuesday, November 14, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Center for Outpatient Services, located at 3900 Hollywood Road in St. Joseph.

During the event, participants can discover and sample recipes for healthy eating, get the latest updates on medications, and hear practical tips for managing diabetes. A physical therapist will lead guests through a series of low-impact exercises that can be performed at home. A panel of certified diabetes educators will be available for questions during an “Ask the Experts” panel. For more information and to reserve a spot, call (269) 556-2868 or visit www.lakelandhealth.org/november14.

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About Lakeland Health

Lakeland Health is a non-profit, community-owned health system, which includes three hospitals, an outpatient surgery center, a cancer center, rehabilitation centers, long-term care, hospice, home care services, and physician practices. Lakeland was ranked as a 15 Top U.S. Health System by Truven Health Analytics in 2017. The health system has over 4,000 employees who provide clinical and support services at locations throughout southwest Michigan, and partners with more than 450 affiliated physicians and other providers. For more information, visit www.lakelandhealth.org.