Holistic Medical Weight Optimization Program
Learn about our medically managed, 12-week comprehensive weight management program. No more failed New year’s resolutions! This program is recommended for anyone who has 15-50+ pounds to lose, or more than 10% body fat to lose based on body composition.
Gaining fat (especially around the middle) is the #1 complaint that we hear in our office in midlife. It happens to almost every woman (and most men) as a result of a complex combination of hormonal and lifestyle changes, but the good news is it CAN be reversed.
So what can we do about this situation, which often leaves us feeling scared, frustrated and out of control? When we keep trying things that used to work and see no results, we can feel defeated and often give up. Our friends, family and even our doctors may tell us “this is just the way it is,” but the truth is that YOU CAN lose the weight and be healthy, self-confident, strong, and improve your longevity and quality of life.
It seems that our hormones are fighting against us to keep us fat, and in fact they are, but this can all be addressed with modern science to help you to succeed in your goals.
Did you know that the one thing that humans living to 100-years old have most in common is low body fat? To live a long and healthy second half of life, our goal is to help women maintain a body fat of 20-30%, and for men 10-20%, and YOU CAN DO IT!
This is much more complex than simply calories in/calories out. If it were that simple, we would all be successful already! We succeed together by using a combination of healthy nutrition (yes, you can eat, we will not make you starve, and you can eat grocery store foods), manageable exercise, hormone optimization, as well as the latest FDA-approved medications which help to lower insulin, decrease appetite and shrink fat cells.
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What To Expect On Your Three-Month Weight Loss Journey
Step 1: Pre-visit lab draw (may be run through your insurance) to assess hormones and general wellness, including diabetes and lipid screening. If you are a new patient and you have not previously had a dedicated hormone consult, we will schedule that first (prior to scheduling your first weight-loss consultation) since hormone balance is foundational to success.
Step 2: Initial one-hour consultation to evaluate your body composition, goals and nutrition plan. Based on your personal needs, we will recommend the latest and safest hormonal support, weight-loss medications and supplements to help you to succeed and will design a nutrition and movement plan that will work with your lifestyle. With your permission, we recommend starting with BEFORE pictures and taking pictures every two-weeks to document your success. A Lipo-C injection will be given at every visit (total of 7).
Step 3: 30-minute check in every two-weeks for six visits – includes body composition, review of nutrition, movement, medications and supplements, and Lipo-C injection.
Step 4: If your journey continues past 12 weeks, 30-minute check in every two to four-weeks as needed until we reach your goal.
Step 5: Access to TruSculpt Flex® for a hugely discounted price.
Learn about Semaglutide
Semaglutide is a weekly FDA approved injection (also known by other names including Ozempic or Wegovy) which has been studied and proven to dramatically help with weight loss. While initially developed to treat diabetes, it was shown to also help non-diabetic patients lose weight. Semaglutide is in the class of “GLP-1 agonists.” GLP- 1 (glucagon-like peptide) is a hormone produced by the small intestine after eating. It has several effects, including delaying gastric (stomach) emptying, which suppresses appetite, makes us feel full earlier, and reduces food cravings. It also increases insulin release from the pancreas and lowers liver glucose output, as well as reducing neuropeptide-Y, a brain neurotransmitter that is related to appetite and cravings. In short, it is a powerful appetite suppressant that helps us to stick to our plan.
Patients start on a low dose for the first month and increase the dose every two to four weeks to reduce side effects. The most common side-effects are nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and reflux (heartburn), but with slowly increasing doses these symptoms can be minimized.
Unfortunately, this is a very expensive drug ($1500 or more per month from a regular pharmacy) which is only covered by insurance for some diabetic patients or those with multiple risk factors. We can source generic Semaglutide though a trusted compounding pharmacy for a dramatically lower price of $450 for 200 units. Two vials will last through the 12 week program.
Semaglutide dose instructions:
Semaglutide dosing starts low to minimize side-effects and is gradually increased from 0.25mg (5 units) weekly to a maximum of 2.5 mg weekly (50 units).
It is very important to measure accurately and do not increase the dosing faster than recommended. You must be seen every two weeks if you are using Semaglutide so that we can monitor side-effects and plan dosage increases.
For maintenance, patients may use 30-50 units weekly, with the 200 unit vial lasting a variable amount of time based on dose.
Learn about Prebiotics and Probiotics
Prebiotics are food for the healthy bacteria in our gut, also known as fiber! It’s hard to get enough fiber in our diet since 30-40 grams daily is recommended. A fiber supplement is a great addition to this plan, and reduces constipation which can be a side effect of the medication. My favorite kind of fiber is called Sunfiber and is available in serval sources including “Thorne Fibermend” which you can order on Amazon or from our office. It tastes great and isn’t gritty, and a scoop full with water in the morning won’t count against your fasting!
Probiotics are live bacteria which help to support a healthy gut biome. While these can be found in yogurt and fermented foods, if we are avoiding dairy, a supplement may be a great idea. “Thorne FloraSport” is one great option, available on Amazon or from our office. Take one daily with your fiber supplement and your gut will be happy! And combined with the rest of the plan above, so will your waistline!
Remember a healthy gut biome is proven in multiple studies ot be associated with improved ability to burn fat as well as reduced inflammatory symptoms across the board.
Learn about Prolon
To get you started and see immediate results, we suggest starting your journey with a five-day “fasting mimicking” nutrition plan, which is also sometimes called “fasting with food.”
Prolon is a five-day meal program including plant-based energy bars, soups, snacks and supplements that have been proven to accelerate fat loss in multiple studies.
The five-day system is $225 either directly from our office or though the Biote website. Prolon is vegan, gluten free and lactose free.
Learn about Lipo-C Injections
Lipotropic injections are growing in popularity, thanks to their posible positive effects on weight loss.
They’re a fantastic tool to accompany a healthy diet and movement regimen.
Even though they don’t directly cause weight loss, they may indirectly boost it by speeding up the fat-burning process in your body.
Lipo-C injections consist of:
- MIC (a combination of Methionine, Inositol, and Choline), which are all lipotropic nutrients. They are thought to decrease fat deposits and speed up metabolism, therefore enhancing the healthy liver. Methionine is an essential amino acid, and it is involved in the breakdown of fat. It is also an antioxidant, and it protects your body from free radicals. It also promotes healthy skin, hair, and nails. Since your body cannot produce it, you can take it in the form of supplements, injections, or methionine-rich foods. Choline, on the other hand, is a lipotropic amino acid. It can lower cholesterol deposits by breaking down accumulated fats in the liver. Choline is also thought to improve your mental performance and enhance cerebrovascular blood flow. Lastly, Inositol works at a cellular level and may aid fat metabolism and nerve transmission.
- L-Carnitine is an amino acid that helps your body turn fat into energy, and it may also increase endurance and muscle recovery during workouts.
- B Vitamin complex is thought to help your body handle stress, increase your energy, and optimize cardiovascular health. It may also improve brain function and boost antioxidant protection from free radicals.