FRONTieR Clinic
Explore This Program
About Our Program
The FRONTieR (FRailty, Obesity, and Nutrition in TRansplant) Clinic at Massachusetts General Hospital combines the expertise of our transplant and weight management clinicians to help transplant patients stay strong, manage your weight, and maintain overall health. Whether you need help losing weight or building strength, our team is here to guide you every step of the way.
Serving kidney and liver transplant patients, our clinic offers a comprehensive approach that includes body scans, muscle tests, personalized nutrition plans, and more. We also provide medications and surgical options, if needed. These services are tailored to help you stay healthy and ready for your transplant.
Our Approach
The FRONTieR team is made up of health experts from various fields who work together to support your health goals. Our team includes transplant doctors, weight loss specialists, nurse practitioners, dietitians, and other healthcare providers. We understand the unique challenges you face, and we are here to provide safe and supportive care. We’ll work with you to define your goals and help you achieve them.
Our Services
The FRONTieR Clinic provides a range of services to help you stay strong and healthy:
- InBody composition analysis: Using an InBody scale, we measure your weight, water levels, body fat, and muscle mass to create a customized weight management plan.
- Education: We provide health and wellness tips designed specifically for transplant patients.
- Behavioral and lifestyle programs: We work with you to improve your eating habits and activity levels. We focus on healthy eating, building muscle, and weight management.
- Obesity pharmacotherapy: Medications may be included in your personalized plan to support weight loss.
- Weight loss surgery: If needed, we offer safe weight loss surgery options, such as vertical sleeve gastrectomy, to help you lose weight and stay healthy for your transplant.
- Enhanced care coordination: We help connect you with the right resources and keep your care team informed to make sure you get the best care.
If you are hospitalized, our team will communicate with your healthcare providers in the hospital to make sure nutrition and strength remain part of your care plan, both during your stay and after you return home.
Meet the Team
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- Transplant Surgeon
- Surgical Director of Living Kidney Donation
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Paul Foster, MS, RD, LDN, CSR, CCTD
- Transplant Dietitian
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![Brittany Lagarce]()
- Adult Nurse Practitioner
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- Family Nurse Practitioner
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- Transplant Nephrologist
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- Living Donor Nurse Practitioner
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Hannah Pratt, RD, LDN
- Transplant Dietitian
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- Transplant Surgeon
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Jessica Witchey, RD-AP, LDN, CNSC
- Transplant Dietitian
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- Gastrointestinal Surgeon
Research
We are dedicated to learning more about how the body impacts transplant health and finding ways to improve strength and overall well-being. You may be invited to join a research study. Joining the study is optional. It is not required to benefit from the FRONTieR Clinic’s services.
Frequent Asked Questions
What is the Mass General FRONTieR Clinic?
The FRONTieR Clinic helps transplant patients manage their weight and overall health before and after transplant. We focus on healthy eating, exercise, and weight management to improve your chances of a successful transplant and long-term health.
Is a referral required to join the FRONTieR Clinic?
Yes, a referral from your transplant doctor is needed to determine if our clinic is right for you.
What is body composition analysis?
It's a test that measures muscle, fat, and water levels in your body. This will help us create a personalized weight management plan for you.
Can weight-loss surgery be part of the program?
Yes, with the right preparation, surgeries like vertical sleeve gastrectomy can be included in your care plan. We’ll work with you to decide if surgery is right for you.
Is surgery the only weight-loss option available through the program?
No, we also offer medications and lifestyle programs to help with weight loss. We’ll work with you to create the best plan for your needs.
How can I learn more?
To learn more about the FRONTieR Clinic and see if the program is right for you, call our program at 617-726-5277 (option 1).
Learn More
To learn more about the FRONTieR Clinic to see if the program is right for you, reach out to your coordinator or call our program at 617-726-5277 (option 1)