PROGRAM

Weight loss isn't just a number on a scale. The motivation for taking action to lose weight must have as its central purpose the prevention of major medical problems, illnesses, and diseases. By using regularly scheduled visits, screening tests, and dietary counseling, our medical staff can help patients who are overweight or obese avoid chronic diseases.

Every person is unique in their reasons to remove the pounds that are holding them down. When the patient is willing to transform their current eating practice, change their lifestyle and behavior, and increase their activity level, we provide a health practitioner, supportive staff, and non-surgical approach to weight management therapy.

Our weight-loss program is different from other weight-loss clinics because it is medically-supervised. It is also age-based. What this means is that our program follows national guidelines. We offer a total of 14 sessions to complete and each session is designed to help you improve your health and reduce risks, as well as your weight. The duration of the program is six months. Each medical visit whether online or at the office is created to plant the seeds for a healthier tomorrow. 

When I began my own weight loss journey, my first step was to remove all the high sugar foods from my pantry. Even cereals I thought were healthy, like Special-K and Raisin Bran, were not healthy weight - choices for a low carbohydrate, low sugar eating plan. I donated these unopened boxes to the food bank.

Our sessions can be individual or group. We begin with your personal medical history. We ask screening questions about current and past medical problems, medications, allergies, etc. By checking basic vital signs: blood pressure and BMI (Body Mass Index) and measuring waist circumference, we calculate and categorize the weight range. Next, we order laboratory work and genetic testing (optional, since it is not covered by insurance). We determine if there are any underlying risk factors (known as comorbidities), such as high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes)) and then find the right type of diet and food plan needed. Most medical insurances are accepted for all clinical visits. We recommend nutritional supplements (nutraceuticals) that are age-based and boost the metabolism. Appetite suppression medications are prescribed, if the patient meets criteria.

The length of the program is up to six months (14 visits). There is some homework involved for ongoing success. We recommend tracking your daily food intake, either by written documentation or via the internet. If you were prescribed weight loss medication and you are not losing weight after 12 weeks, your treatment plan will be changed. It should also be noted that most bariatric surgery programs require candidates to complete at least 3 to 6 months of preoperative education in order to learn and practice these behavioral changes before surgery.

Another major difference in our program is the recognition that individual programs should develop clinically practical, culturally and regionally sensitive approaches to weight control. Weight loss should be viewed as a long term proposition with establishment of achievable short term goals. The ultimate goal of this program is to produce lifelong changes in dietary and exercise behaviors resulting in permanent weight loss.

In addition, our program recommends purchasing prepared home-delivered meals, if within your budget. These meals are low calorie, chef-prepared and reduce some of the stress of shopping for your meals. By modifying the home cooking environment, you and your family can plan your meals in advance, enjoy delicious food, stick to a weight loss strategy, and increase your sense of empowerment. 

Increasing daily activity is also important. To guide patients towards increasing weight loss, we created a virtual walking club. Studies have shown that social support is a crucial part of any big change in your life. In fact, if you have someone accompany you for a non-food activity (like joining you for a walk), success is much more likely. It also gives you something to celebrate.

Finally, we plan on donating a percentage of product sales to the city public health department and regional community food bank to provide nutrition benefits so families can obtain healthy food.