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Ilant comes from the Hebrew word for trees and was founded based on my own experience with obesity.

Trees are a symbol of health and growth. Trees also grow from their roots, which tell their journey.  I want Ilant to provide everything I felt had been missing in my own journey with obesity – real, evidence-based care provided by knowledgeable and compassionate clinicians, respect for the experiences people have had, and real support through the ups and downs. I wanted a place that people could get care without the shame, stigma, and judgement that too often pervades life with obesity.

Like many people struggling with obesity, I have tried just about everything out there – from working with nutritionists to diets and meal replacements to daily exercise and personal training to weight loss resorts to name a few. I would lose weight only to see it come back and then some.

Despite working in healthcare and having access to some of the best clinical organizations in the world, I never got great care. My doctors either avoided the issue or judged me for it. Why didn’t I try eating more salads? Walking more?  Why didn’t I just try harder. None of the great clinicians I saw referred me to medical solutions – I ultimately referred myself into bariatric procedure and found an endocrinologist that specialized in obesity medicine. Getting medical support for my obesity changed my life. For the first time, I didn’t feel myself fighting hunger every moment of the day. I felt able and confident to try new things – I let a friend convince me I could do a 5K…and then a 10K.

And yet I didn’t tell many people how I’d lost the weight because I was ashamed I hadn’t been strong enough to “do it on my own” – as if deciding to change your life and executing on that change isn’t a sign of strength. But it’s hard to overcome years of shame and stigma – whether it’s the side eyes when you’re eating at a restaurant, the stores that don’t carry your size, or the suggestions from strangers on a new diet you should really try.

Ilant grew out of the desire to use my experience as a healthcare executive and as an obesity patient to improve care for others. My hope is that Ilant helps you on your health and weight loss journey – whether that journey involves a bariatric procedure, anti-obesity medications, or sustained changes in habits. We’re here to support you with the best that medical care has to offer and without judgement or stigma. I hope you join our community.

~ Elina