FAQ
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What to expect ?
Before your first visit, please take the time to carefully fill out our new patient forms. The information on your current medical status, weight and diet history help us to develop a comprehensive plan to assist you in your weight loss. If you have had recent lab work or a recent EKG, please bring these to your appointment or have them sent to our office.
Your first visit will include a comprehensive review of your medical and weight history, an analysis of your nutrition and exercise status, and other factors contributing to weight gain.
If needed, laboratory work and an EKG may also be done in the office. Body composition analysis is available for an extra charge.
An initial weight loss plan that is customized to your specific needs will be agreed upon at the first visit. Plans may include current medication adjustments, addition of weight loss medications, and/or initiation in a meal replacement program. In some cases, blood pressure or diabetes medications may be stopped at your first appointment!
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What is Meal Replacement ?
One of our weight loss options include the use of meal replacement. Meal replacement are high protein, low carbohydrate medical foods that are only available through medical professionals. They are packed with vitamins, minerals and all the other components to help you lose weight while maintaining lean muscle mass. Meal replacements can be used in many of our plans to either fully replace what you are eating throughout the day, or as a supplement to other diet plans. They are available in a variety of tasty and satisfying bars, soups, shakes and puddings.
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Why see a medical weight loss specialist ?
While some patients are successful with commercial weight loss programs, many others are unable to reach their goals. The reason for their inability to lose weight may be due to many things including other medical conditions. A physician-supervised medical weight loss program has the ability to use many tools that are not available to commercial weight loss programs, including weight loss medication that address issues with hunger often experienced on calorie restricted diets. A physician can also trouble shoot your current medications for possible barriers to weight loss and address any hidden hormone problems that commercial weight loss programs cannot address. For people on multiple medications and those with chronic disease, a medical weight loss specialist may be the safest way to lose weight.
During active weight loss, blood pressure and other medications may need frequent adjustments which cannot be addressed easily by commercial weight loss program. Medication adjustment is an important part of weight loss management and prevents problems that can arise from low blood sugar, low blood pressure, and dehydration. Weight loss management with a certified weight loss provider allows you to focus on weight loss, with peace of mind that your other medical conditions remain in optimal control.
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What if I have previously had bariatric surgery ?
Unfortunately even patients that have had bariatric surgery may experience weight regain. These patients may benefit from weight loss medications and or meal replacement plans. In addition, nutritional requirements for bariatric patients can be monitored effectively in our office.
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Do you prescribe medications to assist with weight loss ?
While healthy nutrition and increased activity are the key factors necessary to achieve weight loss, studies consistently show that the addition of weight loss medications to diet and exercise lead to significantly greater amounts of weight loss. There are a number of FDA approved weight loss medications to choose from. While many factors are considered when choosing a medication, there may be multiple options to try. Comprehensive blood work and an EKG within the last 3 months must be reviewed prior to prescribing some medications. If needed these can be done at your first visit.
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Do I have to take medications to assist with weight loss ?
You do NOT have to use weight loss medications to achieve healthy weight loss. While addition of weight loss medications to a healthy nutrition and exercise plan have shown greater amounts of weight loss, some patients do not need or want to use prescription medications.
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Do I have to buy food or other products in your clinic ?
Many weight loss programs require you to purchase meal replacements and food products from their clinic programs.
While certain meal replacements are available in our office, not all weight loss stratagies require their use. Meal replacement programs rely on their use in the initial phases of weight loss, and are slowly reduced as you progress on your weight loss journey.
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How often do I need to be seen in the clinic ?
We appreciate your very busy schedule and understand how difficult it is to come for frequent office visits. If you decide on one of our meal replacement plans, you will need to be seen on a weekly basis for the first month, then bi-weekly. As you progress appointments become less frequent.
Patients on weight loss medications will need to be seen on a regular basis in order to continue to receive these medications. Once you have reached your goal, we traditionally space out your visits to the minimum number and frequency needed to maintain your motivation and success.