Lalezari Surgical is thrilled to announce an exciting addition to our Los Angeles team. Jalene Lowthorp, MS, RD, has joined our practice as our dedicated Registered Dietitian, bringing specialized expertise in weight management nutrition to support our bariatric and medical weight loss patients throughout their transformation journeys.
This announcement reflects our ongoing commitment to providing the most comprehensive, patient-centered care available in the greater Los Angeles area. Under the leadership of Dr. Sepehr Lalezari, our Johns Hopkins-trained bariatric surgeon recognized as a Los Angeles Magazine “Top Doctor” and Super Doctors “Rising Star,” Lalezari Surgical continues to expand our multidisciplinary approach to weight loss success.
Why Nutrition Support Matters in Weight Loss Surgery
Bariatric surgery is a powerful tool for achieving significant, lasting weight loss. However, the procedure itself represents just one component of a successful transformation. Research consistently demonstrates that patients who work closely with a Registered Dietitian before and after weight loss surgery achieve better outcomes, lose more weight, and maintain their results longer than those who navigate the nutritional journey alone.
Studies show that patients who attend three or more dietitian visits during their first year after bariatric surgery experience significantly greater total body weight loss and lower rates of micronutrient deficiencies. This finding underscores why adding a dedicated nutritionist to our team represents such an important investment in our patients’ long-term success.
After procedures like gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, or duodenal switch surgery, your body’s relationship with food changes fundamentally. Your stomach’s reduced capacity means every bite counts. The foods you choose must deliver maximum nutritional value in smaller portions than you consumed before surgery. Without proper guidance, patients can struggle with protein intake, develop vitamin deficiencies, or fall into eating patterns that undermine their weight loss goals.
Meet Jalene Lowthorp, MS, RD
Jalene brings impressive credentials and specialized experience to Lalezari Surgical. She holds a Master’s degree in Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services from Texas Woman’s University, one of the nation’s respected programs for dietetic education. Her background includes extensive work in weight management programs, giving her deep insight into the unique nutritional challenges faced by individuals working to achieve and maintain healthy body weights.
As a Registered Dietitian, Jalene has completed rigorous academic requirements, supervised practice hours, and national certification examinations that distinguish RDs from general nutritionists. This advanced training means our patients receive evidence-based nutritional guidance grounded in the latest scientific research and clinical best practices.
Her approach combines nutritional science with practical, real-world strategies that patients can actually implement in their daily lives. She understands that successful post-bariatric nutrition isn’t about perfection—it’s about building sustainable habits that support lifelong health.
How Our New Nutritionist Supports Your Bariatric Journey
Adding Jalene to our team allows Lalezari Surgical to offer even more comprehensive care throughout every phase of the weight loss surgery process.
Pre-Surgery Preparation: Before your procedure, Jalene works with you to understand your current eating habits, identify potential challenges, and begin building the nutritional foundation for success. Many insurance companies require pre-operative dietitian visits, and our in-house expertise streamlines this process while ensuring you receive personalized guidance rather than generic recommendations.
Post-Surgery Progression: The weeks following bariatric surgery require careful dietary progression from clear liquids through pureed foods, soft foods, and eventually regular textures. Jalene guides you through each phase, ensuring your body receives adequate protein and hydration while your digestive system heals and adapts.
Long-Term Maintenance: Weight loss surgery creates a window of opportunity for transformation, but maintaining results requires ongoing attention to nutrition. Jalene provides continued support as you navigate restaurant dining, social events, holidays, and the everyday challenges of sustaining healthy eating habits for life.
Addressing Common Challenges: From protein shakes that actually taste good to strategies for managing food cravings, Jalene helps patients overcome the practical obstacles that can derail weight loss progress. Her personalized guidance addresses your specific preferences, lifestyle, and nutritional needs.
The Lalezari Surgical Difference
At Lalezari Surgical, we’ve always believed that exceptional bariatric care extends far beyond the operating room. Dr. Lalezari’s fellowship training at Johns Hopkins instilled a commitment to comprehensive, multidisciplinary patient care that addresses every aspect of the weight loss journey.
Our practice serves patients from three convenient Los Angeles-area locations in downtown Los Angeles, Long Beach, and San Pedro. This accessibility, combined with our boutique-style approach to patient care, means you receive personalized attention from a team that truly knows you and your goals.
Adding a dedicated Registered Dietitian to our staff represents the natural evolution of this patient-centered philosophy. Rather than referring patients to external nutrition services, we can now offer seamlessly integrated nutritional support as part of your comprehensive care plan. Your surgeon and dietitian communicate directly, ensuring everyone involved in your care works toward the same goals with complete information about your progress.
What to Expect from Nutritional Counseling
Working with Jalene begins with a comprehensive assessment of your current nutritional status, eating behaviors, and health goals. She takes time to understand not just what you eat, but why you eat—exploring the emotional, social, and practical factors that influence your food choices.
From this foundation, she develops a personalized nutrition plan tailored to your specific procedure, health conditions, preferences, and lifestyle. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all diet sheet. It’s a practical roadmap designed for your unique circumstances.
Follow-up appointments allow Jalene to monitor your progress, adjust recommendations as needed, and address new challenges as they arise. Many patients find these regular check-ins provide accountability and motivation that helps them stay on track during the sometimes-difficult months following surgery.
For patients pursuing medical weight loss through our non-surgical programs, Jalene’s expertise proves equally valuable. Successful weight management—whether achieved through surgery, medication, lifestyle modification, or some combination—ultimately depends on sustainable nutritional habits. Her guidance helps medical weight loss patients develop the eating patterns that support their treatment and maximize their results.
Schedule Your Consultation Today
The addition of Jalene Lowthorp to the Lalezari Surgical team marks an exciting new chapter in our commitment to comprehensive bariatric care. Whether you’re just beginning to explore weight loss surgery options, preparing for an upcoming procedure, or working to maintain results years after your operation, our expanded team stands ready to support your success.
We invite you to experience the difference that truly integrated, multidisciplinary weight loss care can make. Contact Lalezari Surgical in Los Angeles at (213) 545-1656 to schedule your consultation and learn how Dr. Lalezari, Jalene, and our entire team can help you achieve the healthier, more vibrant life you deserve.
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