MEDICAL WEIGHT LOSS

Our program is effective for patients with high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, and those with thyroid imbalances. We are even able to effectively treat obese teens.

Start with us today and help your body burn fat stores, curb carbohydrate cravings, boost your natural energy, and feel better than you have in a while.

Obviously, people who take an active role in their own weight and wellness are more likely to achieve wellness than those who do not. Losing weight is not so much a matter of will power but of knowledge, structure, accountability and non-judgmental support.

Effective physician prescribed appetite suppressant medication will help curb your appetite, helping you get off to a good start to re-train your metabolism.

The medical assisted weight loss eating plan teaches your body to crave healthy, natural foods, and the nutritional supplements support your weight loss from the beginning to your maintenance phase. Our plan is customized to your individual needs and based upon your specific medical history.

We will begin your customized plan, following these basic steps:

A physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner specializing in obesity treatment provides the initial consultation. The initial consult involves a focused medical evaluation for diseases related to obesity. In addition, the medical professional will obtain a weight history, which includes past diet attempts, and may conduct a thorough psychological history.

Many patients come to the clinic with undiagnosed diabetes, high cholesterol, thyroid disorders or abnormal liver tests. Several blood tests are often drawn.

Overall, the Physician management of obesity includes:

• Behavior modification

• Diet

• Exercise

• Pharmacotherapy

Diet and Behavior Modifications: After the initial assessment, many of the follow-up appointments are with registered dietitians or mid-level providers who are certified in obesity management as well as exercise. Getting a handle on eating behaviors is key to making significant long-term changes. While it may be difficult to keep food logs that require writing down all food eaten, this exercise has been shown to be important for long-term success.

With all the variation in serving sizes, most individuals do not have a good understanding of how many calories are actually consumed in one day. Therefore, it is recommended that, for at least the first six to eight weeks, individuals keep a complete food log. This will also help dietitians get a better handle on areas of the diet to focus on at follow-up visits.

Dietitians also work with patients using individualized meal plans for various lifestyles and medical conditions. Many medical conditions, such as insulin resistance, can make it difficult to lose weight on traditional low-fat diets. The dietitian can work individually with the patient to find a meal plan that works for him or her. Also, dietitians teach patients how to actually make the changes such as: how to shop, cooking ideas, such as easy preparation methods or healthy recipes, and how to eat out at restaurants.

Follow-up Visits: Weekly weigh-ins are a useful tool to hold individuals accountable. Patients are frequently given a meal and exercise plan by their healthcare provider and told to return in two to three months. Getting weighed on a weekly basis (at the same time and day of the week and using the same scale) helps to keep dieters on track. Just knowing there will be a weekly weigh-in decreases caloric consumption. On the other hand, daily weigh-ins are not recommended since small, incremental changes often cause frustration and result in failure.

It is also recommended, if possible, that the weekly weigh-in occurs outside of the home. Being weighed in the presence of another person increases accountability and has been shown to decrease caloric intake per week by nearly 20 percent.

Medications (Pharmacotherapy): Medications are used in conjunction with a reduced-calorie diet, exercise and behavior modification

Pharmacotherapy should be reserved for patients with a BMI of 30 or greater or a BMI of 27 or greater with at least one co-morbid risk factor (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes). It is important that the patient tells his or her provider all medications they are taking, including over-the-counter medication and supplements.

Weight Maintenance: Many people can follow a diet and lose weight, the challenge, however, comes in maintaining the weight-loss. Any changes in eating and exercising behaviors must become habitual, which takes time. Most programs offer monthly visits that provide behavior modification help (strategies to help change habits) that encompass things such as: record keeping, eating behavior and associated activities, eating slowly, portion control, vitamins, minerals, fiber and water, enhancing exercise, attitudes, self-esteem and quality of life, and holiday and stress eating.

Realistic Expectations: Unrealistic goals of a comprehensive weight management program often result in failure. This method should not be expected to achieve “ideal” body weight, often set as a measure of success. A modest weight-loss can offer profound benefit in preventing or delaying the onset of co-morbid medical problems and should be viewed as a success.

This realistic goal of a 5 to 15 percent weight-loss from initial weight will keep one focused, as well as improve their quality of life and help manage any obesity co-morbid medical problems.

We also use vitamin supplements, FDA approved appetite suppressants, and fat metabolizing supplements to help you achieve your goal.

As a patient, you have the peace of mind of knowing that a physician supervises your customized weight loss program and supplementation every step of the way. You can have that fit body and lose a number of those physical ailments that have been troubling you for years…high blood pressure, aching joints, lower back pain, foot pain, some diabetes, and more.

The keys to the medically assisted weight loss program is two-fold – a healthy restricted calorie eating plan that revs your metabolism, and educational support you need to achieve your goals. You CAN do this!

We will work with you to understand which foods can help you on your weight loss path, and which foods can, surprisingly, hinder you. You will learn how to eat healthily at restaurants and other people’s homes.

If you have attempted to lose weight, time and time again; if you have spent countless hours at the gym doing miles on the treadmill, and dollars on weight loss plans with no sustainability component, then take heart. The program will help you lose weight and lose it effectively. We recommend moderate exercise.

We often use the aids of FDA approved supplements- temporary tools to help you achieve your goal weight. But, above all of this, is the full understanding of the foods you eat and how they can bring you into or out of a state of weight loss and wellness, and best of all, this knowledge is something that you will have your entire life, long after you’ve graduated our program.

Some professionals in the field of nutrition believe that more than half of us eating a healthy diet and taking oral vitamin supplements are still vitamin deficient. The transformation diet incorporates advanced nutriceuticals from naturally occurring plants and animal sources.

We provide vitamin injection therapy to help your body improve the absorption of this essential micronutrient. Our other products are loaded with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory substances to help your body function optimally.
Most hormone replacements on the market use synthetic versions of naturally occurring substances.

Call The Wellness Center by Dr. Mignon 850-668-5500 today for a free, no obligation consultation.