Skip to main content
Dr. Mona Misra, MD, Board Certified Bariatric & Advanced Laparoscopic Surgeon

Dietitian & Nutrition Counseling

Personalized, judgment-free guidance that turns everyday eating into lasting health — with a registered dietitian walking beside you every step of the way.

Watch: Dietitian & Nutrition Counseling

Food Doesn't Have to Feel Like the Enemy

If you've spent years cycling through diets that promised everything and delivered frustration, you're not alone — and you're not the problem. Our registered dietitians meet you exactly where you are, without judgment about what's on your plate or what got you here. This is one-on-one, personalized nutrition care for anyone living with obesity or weight-related conditions like type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease. Whether you're exploring your options for the first time, preparing for a procedure, or maintaining hard-won progress, we're here to help you build a way of eating that actually fits your life — your schedule, your budget, your family, and your tastes.

How Nutrition Counseling Works

Real change doesn't come from a printed meal plan you'll abandon by Friday. It comes from understanding why your body responds the way it does. Together, we look at how the timing, balance, and quality of what you eat affect your hunger, energy, blood sugar, and how satisfied you feel after a meal.

From there, we make small, sustainable shifts — protein that keeps you full longer, fiber that steadies your energy, and swaps that lower the load on your metabolism without asking you to give up everything you love. Nutrition works powerfully on its own, and it also amplifies every other tool, from anti-obesity medications to surgery. It's the foundation everything else is built on.

Is Nutrition Counseling Right for You?

The honest answer: nutrition counseling helps nearly everyone on a weight-health journey. It's a natural fit if you feel confused by conflicting diet advice, if past plans have felt punishing or impossible to sustain, or if a condition like type 2 diabetes or PCOS means the way you eat directly shapes how you feel each day.

It's also essential if you're considering or recovering from a procedure such as a sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass, where nutrition guides both your preparation and your long-term success. There's no prerequisite here except a willingness to start — we'll handle the rest together.

What to Expect Together

Your first visit is a conversation, not an inspection. We'll talk through your health history, your relationship with food, and what a realistic week actually looks like for you. From there, we set goals that feel achievable — because progress you can sustain beats perfection you can't.

We meet regularly to adjust as your body and life change, celebrating what's working and problem-solving what isn't. Some visits are about fine-tuning; others are simply about encouragement when the journey feels hard. Every patient's path looks different, and that's exactly as it should be. What matters is that you have a knowledgeable ally in your corner, helping you turn intention into lasting habit.

How This Fits With Your Other Options

Nutrition counseling rarely works in isolation — and it shouldn't have to. It's one voice in a coordinated multidisciplinary team that surrounds you with the right support at the right time. When emotional eating or stress is part of the picture, we partner closely with psychological support.

When medications or a surgical option enter the plan, your dietitian makes sure your nutrition keeps pace with your body's changing needs. Think of this as the thread that connects every part of your care — flexible enough to stand on its own, and strong enough to make every other treatment work better.

What We'll Work On Together

  • Protein and fiber goals that keep you satisfied longer
  • Practical meal planning built around your real schedule and budget
  • Steadying blood sugar and energy throughout the day
  • Navigating dining out, family meals, and social situations
  • Nutrition preparation and recovery for medications or surgery
  • Sustainable habits to protect your progress for the long term

Frequently Asked Questions

1Do I have to be having surgery to see a dietitian?
Not at all. Nutrition counseling is a standalone option that helps anyone living with obesity or a weight-related condition, whether or not surgery is ever part of your plan. Many patients work with our dietitians as their primary tool. For others, it's the foundation that supports medications or a procedure. Wherever you are in your journey, you're welcome here.
2Will you put me on a strict diet I have to follow perfectly?
No. We don't believe in rigid, all-or-nothing plans that set you up to feel like you've failed. Instead, we build gradual, realistic changes around the foods, schedule, and budget you already have. Progress you can actually sustain matters far more than a perfect week you can't repeat. Our goal is to make eating well feel doable, not punishing.
3How often will I meet with the dietitian?
It depends on your goals and where you are in your journey. Many patients begin with more frequent visits to build momentum, then space them out as new habits take hold. If you're preparing for or recovering from a procedure, we'll align your visits with that timeline. We adjust the rhythm to fit your life, not the other way around.
4Can nutrition counseling really help my type 2 diabetes or fatty liver?
Yes. What and how you eat has a direct, powerful effect on blood sugar, cholesterol, and liver health. Thoughtful nutrition changes can meaningfully improve conditions like type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease, often working alongside your other treatments. We'll tailor your plan to the specific conditions you're managing so every meal is working in your favor.
5What if I've tried nutrition changes before and they didn't stick?
You're in exactly the right place. If past efforts didn't last, it usually means the approach didn't fit your life, not that you lack willpower. Obesity is a complex chronic disease, and lasting change takes the right support and strategy. Together, we'll figure out what's gotten in the way before and build something more sustainable this time.

Medical Disclaimer

The information on this site is for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Reading this site does not create a doctor–patient relationship. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personal guidance. If this is an emergency, call 911. Mentions of medications, devices, or procedures are informational and not endorsements. Full medical disclaimer.

†Some listed indications involve investigational/off-label use. Learn more.