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Regular physical activity is recommended for weight loss and maintaining a healthy weight. When we think of physical activity in the context of weight loss, we tend to drift toward high-intensity aerobic exercises such as jogging, cycling, or swimming, or perhaps even weight training. For people with obesity, these more...

Iowa Weight Loss Specialists has been recertified as an Optum Center of Excellence. Facilities who belong to the Optum bariatric Centers of Excellence (COEs) program perform more successful bariatric procedures than many other facilities nearby. The Optum COEs also have fewer complications and readmissions and are able to boast: 15%...

Elsey Strube is the clinic leader for Iowa Weight Loss Specialist. She has been working with Iowa Specialty Hospitals & Clinics for over eight years. She transitioned into her leadership position from being a dietitian in patient care in November of 2020. Elsey oversees the day-to-day operations of our outpatient...

Iowa Specialty Hospital-Belmond is the recent recipient of the 2023 Healthgrades Bariatric Surgery Excellence Award. According to Healthgrades, Iowa Specialty Hospital-Belmond scored in the top 52 hospitals in the nation for excellence in bariatric surgery. This award recognizes hospitals that provide outstanding results in bariatric (weight loss) surgery. “This is...

During the winter months mental health therapists can see individuals report an increase in depressive symptoms due to SAD. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that affects people during the winter months when there is less natural light. It is estimated that 1 in 5 people in...

Do you struggle with sticking to your New Year's resolution to lose weight? Many of us like to think of the start of a new year as hitting a giant reset button on our unhealthy habits or setting flashy, ambitious goals that will get us dramatic results. Yet despite that...

Some IWLS patients may be affected by rapidly changing insurance coverage on commonly prescribed medications. Read more about how your IWLS team can help.

Patients seeking surgical treatment for obesity and its related conditions have a high-quality choice for receiving care at a nationally accredited program that meets the highest standards for patient safety and quality in the greater Belmond, Iowa area. Dr. Todd Eibes, Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Director at Iowa Specialty Hospital-Belmond,...

Are you looking for things to read this Summer?

If so, check out our Bariatric Summer Reading List! Here, you'll learn about resources for free & inexpensive books, podcast sources, good books by category, and more!

As we approach the holiday season, we are holding a food drive to collect items for those in need. Our food drive will run from November 1st - 15th. If you would like to participate, we have two options available. You may either donate items in person or give a...