Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is a condition where excess fat accumulates in the liver of people who drink little or no alcohol. Some people with NAFLD may develop a more serious condition called non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). In NASH, the fat accumulation in the liver produces inflammation and scarring. NASH is a potentially serious condition that may lead to cirrhosis (irreversible scarring of the liver) that can lead to liver failure or liver cancer. At the Healthful Eating, Activity, and Weight Program, our multidisciplinary team of liver and obesity specialists help you adopt changes in diet, physical activity, and behaviors that are key to successful weight loss and management of NAFLD.

Patients with NAFLD have an evaluation with one of our specialty physicians to create a lifestyle change plan tailored to their individual needs. Our program offers a variety of services for patients with fatty liver:

Visits with Physician Experts on Liver Disease (Hepatologists)

All patients with NAFLD will have regular visits with hepatologists with expertise in managing this complex liver disease, and who have been recognized as a “Top Liver” doctor by Baltimore Magazine in 2020, 2021, and 2022. These visits will focus on evaluation of your liver and may include medication management. These visits will last 30 to 60 minutes and occur every 3 to 6 months. These visits are usually covered by insurance.

Visits with Physician Experts on Obesity

All patients with NAFLD will have regular visits with physician experts on lifestyle management for this condition. These visits will focus on one-on-one counseling to support your lifestyle changes and may include medication management. Our physicians were recognized as “Top Weight Management” doctors by Baltimore Magazine in 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022. These visits are usually covered by insurance.

Group Visits

We offer group visits using an approach based on a scientifically proven lifestyle change and weight loss curriculum. Our program is adapted from the landmark Look AHEAD trial, which demonstrated the many health benefits that can occur with weight loss. To begin, you will first complete a self-guided online orientation that includes three introductory lessons. Every other week you will attend live groups – either online or in-person – one of our obesity medicine physician leads the group visit along with a trained health coach. Group visits include a combination of a structured lesson, group discussion, as well as private one-on-one time with the obesity medicine physician. The lessons cover topics to support your weight loss and health goals such as problem solving, healthy eating, managing holidays, and staying motivated. The physician also manages your medications during these visits. We recommend that you plan to participate for at least 6 months.

These group visits may be covered by insurance. All patients need to complete an initial evaluation with one of our obesity medicine physicians before registering for group visits, after which you may enroll in groups at any time.

To schedule an appointment, call us at 410-616-7420.