Bariatric Associates - Natural New Haven · 2012-12-30 · Drs. Robert and Loretta Tafuri created...
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businessspotlight tion. She helps clients navigate the nutrition component and lifestyle issues such as emotional/psychological side effects of losing weight. This facet of becoming healthier is not al- ways considered or addressed, yet can be vital for sustaining wellness over the long haul. Ripple effects of losing weight can involve unfamiliar attitudes, behaviors and relationship dynamics with one’s self, family/friends or even responses from strangers. Dr. Tafuri helps patients take responsibility for their health, manage breakthroughs, cope with stresses, and work toward an enduring lifestyle transition. Drs. Tafuri say their patients, who on average have al- ready tried eight to ten diets, are seeking an appropriate way to eat, exercise, take vitamin supplements, decrease medi- cations, undo health issues and prevent weight gain. Since they accept most insurance, including Medicare, the prac- tice consists of a diverse cross section of the general popula- tion. Their first written diet was created for New Haven’s fire department. It encompassed those wanting to simply lose a few pounds to others who were morbidly obese and dealing with concurrent illnesses, such as diabetes, hypertension and degenerative joint disease. Regarding their educational backgrounds, Dr. Tafuri states “I have been a board certified physician in Connecticut for over 25 years and have devoted a significant part of that time to helping patients address their weight issues. I am an attending physician at Yale New Haven Hospital and teach at Yale Medical School.” He also shares “Loretta brings a critical part to our practice with a Ph.D. in nutrition and a degree in psychology. She brings the important behavioral/ nutrition component which is integral to our high success rates and unique long term weight maintenance programs.” The practice’s retail offerings (with a 20% discount for anyone, patient or public, to try their products) include pasta marinara with vegetables, quinoa with greek herbs and raisins, cereals, chips, nutraceuticals, Kreta Reserve olive oil; PureLean products, Proti smoothies, and foods from Loretta Tafuri’s line, MD Nutrition, LLC (“great taste, small waist”) for which she works with chemists to customize products and ensure a variety of offerings. In addition to witnessing clients shedding pounds, the Tafuris speak about their programs helping with issue such as ulcerative colitis, lactose or soy intolerance, gluten sensitivity and more. They have seen a diminishment in multiple sclerosis and fibromyalgia symptoms, as well as improved control of diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and sleep disorders. However, the Tafuris insist this cannot be approached as the quick fix. “It’s about a lifestyle change for a healthier life for the rest of your life…” or one New Year’s resolution to stick to… Bariatric Associates of New England is reachable at [email protected], banellc.com. New Haven Office location: 200 Orchard Street, Suite 402 (203.786.5007). The *NEW* Madison Office location: 149 Durham Road, Suite 26 (203.318.0100). Gift of health certificates are available. See ad on page 3. A nyone who has struggled with excess weight and yo-yo dieting knows it can feel like a Sisyphean endeavor. Trying, and being un- able, to lose weight can become frustrating and increase fears of health risks, such as heart problems or diabetes. Even those who do manage to reach their ideal weight may find other issues cropping up that get in the way of maintaining their weight loss and overall health. With an aim toward helping people navigate such trials, Drs. Robert and Loretta Tafuri created Bariatric Associates of New England, LLC, which currently has offices in New Haven and Madison. Both doctors emphasize that theirs is a medical practice and results are meant to last, rather than serve as just a temporary fix. “It’s not hocus pocus. It’s scientifically researched. We are looking to manage weight correctly in a medically responsible manner so patients can maintain their new weight for the rest of their lives.” Their integrative practice offers drug-free preventive medicine and weight management programs focused on avoidance of disease and restoration of health. Education is also a key component for helping patients find options and strategies that best serve their lifestyle. One of the motivations for drug-free weight loss program- ming is Dr. Tafuri’s experience of losing his mother to strokes caused by obesity. At that time, he says, her treatment simply involved increasing her medications without addressing underlying issues. Given that experience, and since it is not about short-term solutions, patients are required to do a program (or as the Tafuris like to say “join our practice as a patient”) starting with a comprehensive medical evaluation at the initial visit. The Tafuris obtain the most recent com- plete set of fasting lab work and after the consultation a letter is sent to the referring physician (or to a primary physician if self-referred) to ensure coordinated health care. They screen for diseases and disease risk factors, and aim to decrease or eliminate dependence on prescription medications when possible. Programs also involve holistic nutrition education (including handling cravings, portion control, tips for vaca- tion/party eating), how to exercise responsibly and hydrate properly, behavior and lifestyle counseling and modification, meal planning/customized diets, and a long-term mainte- nance plan. There is a pediatric and adolescent program for youths aged 7 to 16 years, which helps with the social aspects of weight management, food choices and physical activities. Options also include programs for PCOS-related infertility and those who regain weight after bariatric surgery. A trademark of the Tafuri’s practice is their “Modified Mediterranean Diet,” used in conjunction with other pro- gram components to help diminish chronic problems and ill- nesses. It suggests choices such as olive oil instead of butter, eating more fish and rotating foods seasonally. The second component of their nutritional philosophy involves meals which are anti-inflammatory (since inflammation is said to be the basis of many health complications), low-glycemic, calorie controlled and high protein. While Dr. Robert Tafuri is the more traditional medical practitioner, Dr. Loretta Tafuri weaves in more integrative aspects, such as holistic nutrition and behavorial modifica- by Nancy Cohen Bariatric Associates of New England, LLC Drs. Robert & Loretta Tafuri “After a lifetime of dieting, this is the weight management plan that finally worked. Now in my second year of maintaining my goal weight, I continue to integrate their program and their products into my daily living.” ~ M.W.
Transcript of Bariatric Associates - Natural New Haven · 2012-12-30 · Drs. Robert and Loretta Tafuri created...
16 New Haven / Middlesex NaturalNewHaven.com 17natural awakenings January 2013
businessspotlight tion. She helps clients navigate the nutrition component and lifestyle issues such as emotional/psychological side effects of losing weight. This facet of becoming healthier is not al-ways considered or addressed, yet can be vital for sustaining wellness over the long haul. Ripple effects of losing weight can involve unfamiliar attitudes, behaviors and relationship dynamics with one’s self, family/friends or even responses from strangers. Dr. Tafuri helps patients take responsibility for their health, manage breakthroughs, cope with stresses, and work toward an enduring lifestyle transition. Drs. Tafuri say their patients, who on average have al-ready tried eight to ten diets, are seeking an appropriate way to eat, exercise, take vitamin supplements, decrease medi-cations, undo health issues and prevent weight gain. Since they accept most insurance, including Medicare, the prac-tice consists of a diverse cross section of the general popula-tion. Their first written diet was created for New Haven’s fire department. It encompassed those wanting to simply lose a few pounds to others who were morbidly obese and dealing with concurrent illnesses, such as diabetes, hypertension and degenerative joint disease. Regarding their educational backgrounds, Dr. Tafuri states “I have been a board certified physician in Connecticut for over 25 years and have devoted a significant part of that time to helping patients address their weight issues. I am an attending physician at Yale New Haven Hospital and teach at Yale Medical School.” He also shares “Loretta brings a critical part to our practice with a Ph.D. in nutrition and a degree in psychology. She brings the important behavioral/nutrition component which is integral to our high success rates and unique long term weight maintenance programs.” The practice’s retail offerings (with a 20% discount for anyone, patient or public, to try their products) include pasta marinara with vegetables, quinoa with greek herbs and raisins, cereals, chips, nutraceuticals, Kreta Reserve olive oil; PureLean products, Proti smoothies, and foods from Loretta Tafuri’s line, MD Nutrition, LLC (“great taste, small waist”) for which she works with chemists to customize products and ensure a variety of offerings. In addition to witnessing clients shedding pounds, the Tafuris speak about their programs helping with issue such as ulcerative colitis, lactose or soy intolerance, gluten sensitivity and more. They have seen a diminishment in multiple sclerosis and fibromyalgia symptoms, as well as improved control of diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and sleep disorders. However, the Tafuris insist this cannot be approached as the quick fix. “It’s about a lifestyle change for a healthier life for the rest of your life…” or one New Year’s resolution to stick to…
Bariatric Associates of New England is reachable at [email protected], banellc.com. New Haven Office location: 200 Orchard Street, Suite 402 (203.786.5007). The *NEW* Madison Office location: 149 Durham Road, Suite 26 (203.318.0100). Gift of health certificates are available. See ad on page 3.
Anyone who has struggled with excess weight and yo-yo dieting knows it can feel like a Sisyphean endeavor. Trying, and being un-able, to lose weight can become frustrating and increase fears of health risks, such as heart problems or diabetes. Even those who
do manage to reach their ideal weight may find other issues cropping up that get in the way of maintaining their weight loss and overall health. With an aim toward helping people navigate such trials, Drs. Robert and Loretta Tafuri created Bariatric Associates of New England, LLC, which currently has offices in New Haven and Madison. Both doctors emphasize that theirs is a medical practice and results are meant to last, rather than serve as just a temporary fix. “It’s not hocus pocus. It’s scientifically researched. We are looking to manage weight correctly in a medically responsible manner so patients can maintain their new weight for the rest of their lives.” Their integrative practice offers drug-free preventive medicine and weight management programs focused on avoidance of disease and restoration of health. Education is also a key component for helping patients find options and strategies that best serve their lifestyle. One of the motivations for drug-free weight loss program-ming is Dr. Tafuri’s experience of losing his mother to strokes caused by obesity. At that time, he says, her treatment simply involved increasing her medications without addressing underlying issues. Given that experience, and since it is not about short-term solutions, patients are required to do a program (or as the Tafuris like to say “join our practice as a patient”) starting with a comprehensive medical evaluation at the initial visit. The Tafuris obtain the most recent com-plete set of fasting lab work and after the consultation a letter is sent to the referring physician (or to a primary physician if self-referred) to ensure coordinated health care. They screen for diseases and disease risk factors, and aim to decrease or eliminate dependence on prescription medications when possible. Programs also involve holistic nutrition education (including handling cravings, portion control, tips for vaca-tion/party eating), how to exercise responsibly and hydrate properly, behavior and lifestyle counseling and modification, meal planning/customized diets, and a long-term mainte-nance plan. There is a pediatric and adolescent program for youths aged 7 to 16 years, which helps with the social aspects of weight management, food choices and physical activities. Options also include programs for PCOS-related infertility and those who regain weight after bariatric surgery. A trademark of the Tafuri’s practice is their “Modified Mediterranean Diet,” used in conjunction with other pro-gram components to help diminish chronic problems and ill-nesses. It suggests choices such as olive oil instead of butter, eating more fish and rotating foods seasonally. The second component of their nutritional philosophy involves meals which are anti-inflammatory (since inflammation is said to be the basis of many health complications), low-glycemic, calorie controlled and high protein. While Dr. Robert Tafuri is the more traditional medical practitioner, Dr. Loretta Tafuri weaves in more integrative aspects, such as holistic nutrition and behavorial modifica-
by Nancy Cohen
Bariatric Associates of New England, LLC Drs. Robert & Loretta Tafuri
“After a lifetime of dieting, this is the weight management plan that finally worked. Now in my second year of maintaining my goal weight, I continue to integrate their program and their products into my daily living.” ~ M.W.
