How Our Customized Weight Loss Program Can Transform Your Body and Your Health
Weight loss can often be a hit-or-miss proposition. You may try a new eating and exercise plan or a new medication, and you start to see results. Unfortunately, for most of us, those results don’t last, and that can be frustrating — to say the least.
Our providers know this struggle all too well, and we have a solution that’s helped so many to reach their goals.
Our medically supervised weight loss program is more than just getting you skinnier—although that’s a great benefit. We’re here to make sure you’re as healthy as you can be so you live a long, happy, productive life.
Weight Loss by the Numbers
- According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 73.6% of adults over age 20 are overweight. 41.9% of those people are considered obese.
- In an analysis of 29 long-term weight loss studies, more than 50% of the lost weight was back on within two years, and more than 80% was regained after five years.
These numbers may seem disheartening, but they don’t have to be. Our program focuses on the specific reasons you are carrying extra weight to help you lose weight in a healthy, sustainable way. To achieve this, we include:
- Lab testing to ensure your program is personalized to your specific needs
- The latest, proven effective medications for weight loss, including semaglutide and tirzepatide
- A highly trained provider who is with you every step of the way to ensure you’re getting the best results
- Medical Supervision from a Board-Certified Obesity Specialist
What Does Extra Weight Do to Your Health?
A study conducted by Duke University has shown a decreased life expectancy for Gen Xers and Millennials. This is the first time in decades that this has happened. Being overweight or obese is the root cause of many chronic diseases, including:
- Coronary artery disease
- Stroke
- Type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol (includes triglycerides, which contribute to plaque in the arteries)
- Fatty liver disease
- Certain cancers
- Osteoarthritis
- Sleep apnea
- Endocrine disorders, including Insulin Resistance
- Alzheimer’s or dementia
- Mood disorders
- Back and joint pain
What is “Skinny Fat?”
It’s important to note that even “skinny” people can be at risk for health issues caused by being overweight. You may not be technically overweight, but if you carry extra fat around your abdominal area, you are at a higher risk of a decreased life expectancy.
“Skinny” fat, also known as visceral fat, is associated with higher levels of inflammation. It also puts you at greater risk for high blood sugar and insulin levels and predisposes you to pre-diabetes.
Our Providers at Forum Health Las Colinas are Here to Help!
A healthy weight reduces many risks. We want to help you achieve a healthy lifestyle and weight.
We understand fad diets can provide quick weight loss. But as you’ve read, most people on these diets gain the weight back as soon as they stop. Also, some fad diets are highly calorie-restricted and can cause more harm than good.
That’s why our program includes one of the new GLP-1 medications, either semaglutide or tirzepatide. Studies have shown that these medications reduce appetite, improve eating control, reduce food cravings, and improve blood sugar control.
Semaglutide vs Tirzepatide
You may have already heard about semaglutide and tirzepatide. These medications can regulate appetite, reduce cravings, and improve insulin sensitivity. Plus, they can achieve significant weight loss: up to 15% of total body weight for semaglutide and more for tirzepatide.
These drugs are NOT stimulants, so you don’t have to worry about unpleasant side effects like not being able to sleep or having the jitters.
Semaglutide mimics the effects of a naturally occurring hormone called GLP-1. Tirzepatide combines the benefits of two hormones — GLP-1 and GIP. Your provider will determine the best medication for you based on your needs, medical history, and lab results.
Many on these drugs have also said they’ve lost the ever-present “food noise” in their head. That’s a fantastic benefit, as it helps you get on with your day and not worry about when or where your next meal will be.
However, we also want to ensure you eat enough of the right foods since these medications can significantly reduce appetite. One key point is to eat enough protein so you don’t lose muscle mass as you lose weight. That’s why the Tanita measurements are so important.
Safe, Effective Dosing
Both semaglutide and tirzepatide are FDA-approved for weight loss under the brand names Wegovy® and Zepbound®. However, we don’t prescribe these medications under these brand names. Instead, we start all our patients off at a lower, compounded dose for the first month and then increase the dosage as needed.
We ensure you are on the correct medication dosage throughout your program. Patients may continue to increase their dosage when they don’t need to, which adds unnecessary cost.
These drugs are compounded at one of two highly reputable pharmacies. We thoroughly vet and background check our pharmacy partners so you can be sure you’re taking medication you can completely trust.
Semaglutide or tirzepatide are injected subcutaneously (under the skin) and not into a muscle. The needle is small, and the injection is painless. However, even the smallest needle can make some patients squeamish. If you’d prefer not to inject yourself once a week, the pharmacy staff will do it for a nominal fee.
The Benefits of Having a Board-Certified Obesity Specialist
A key benefit of doing our program is that Dr. Elwell, a board-certified obesity specialist, oversees it. Did you know that less than 1% of all doctors in the US are board-certified in obesity medicine? Here’s why this is so important for you:
- Dr. Elwell has specialized knowledge and training in the complex factors contributing to obesity. These factors can include genetics, metabolism, and psychological aspects. She also knows about the latest evidence-based treatments, including medications and behavioral therapies.
- Under her guidance, we create personalized weight loss plans based on your health profile and tailored to your specific needs and medical history. This may include using different medications, dealing with thyroid issues, or any of several situations.
- As we monitor your health throughout the weight loss journey, Dr. Elwell can manage any underlying medical conditions and adjust your plan to ensure safety and effectiveness.
- Dr. Elwell helps you lose weight sustainably and maintain it long-term by focusing on strategies that deliver lasting results rather than quick fixes.
Frequently Asked Questions about Our Medically Supervised Weight Loss Program
WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THE PROGRAM?
Our comprehensive weight loss program includes:
- One appointment with a provider at our clinic.
- One set of lab tests.
- Body composition measurements on a Tanita scale.
- Three virtual meetings with a health coach to help you stay on track and address any challenges you may face along the way.
- 90-day prescription for semaglutide or 60-day prescription for tirzepatide, depending on what your provider determines is best for your needs.
Additionally, you are welcome to come in weekly and complete your Tanita measurements. These measurements include weight, fat mass, muscle mass, bone mass, and water weight.
WHAT LAB TESTS ARE DONE?
Lab testing is the foundation of our weight loss program. By analyzing a wide range of biomarkers, we can uncover the specific imbalances and deficiencies that are unique to you.
We perform the following lab tests:
- CardioIQ Insulin Resistance Panel with Score
- CBC (complete blood count)
- CMP (comprehensive metabolic panel)
- Hemoglobin A1C
- Lipids (cholesterol)
Armed with these insights, your practitioner can create a weight loss plan tailored to you.
HOW LONG DOES THE PROGRAM LAST?
The program is 60 or 90 days, depending on which medication your provider prescribes (60 days with tirzepatide, 90 days with semaglutide). However, you can repeat the program as needed to reach your goal. For those who want to lose only 20 or 30 pounds, you may not need to repeat the program. If you want to lose more weight, we suggest taking a month or so off after the program and repeating as needed. For those wishing to lose a lot of weight, it could take you as long as six to eight months.
HOW MUCH WEIGHT CAN I EXPECT TO LOSE?
Patients typically see a weight loss of 1 to 3 pounds per week, but that can vary depending on the patient’s weight. Patients who have more weight to lose can see greater results. You can expect to lose 15% of your body weight on average.
ARE THERE ANY FOOD RESTRICTIONS?
There are no food restrictions. However, you will not feel good while on the program if you do not eat a healthy diet. Eating healthier will make you feel much better and have higher energy levels. We recommend incorporating proteins and nutrient-dense foods into your daily diet.
DO I HAVE TO EXERCISE WHILE ON THE PROGRAM?
This program does not require exercise, but we recommend incorporating an exercise regime into your lifestyle because of its health benefits. Walking can be the perfect way to start if you aren’t used to exercising.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF THIS PROGRAM?
- Physical hunger is gone
- Better sleep
- Higher energy levels
- Helps with insulin pathways and blood sugar levels
- Lower risk of serious diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and stroke
- The more momentum you gain, the better you will feel
- On average, you can expect to lose 15% of your body weight
- Provides a lifelong foundation for eating well
WHY DOES THIS PROGRAM GET SUCH GOOD RESULTS?
We don’t just prescribe medication and leave it at that. Instead, we focus on finding exactly what’s causing your body to keep the weight on so we can address those. After all, there’s no point in taking the weight off with a medication only to see it come right back on because the underlying factors weren’t addressed.
As Dr. Elwell says, “We’re not doing this just for people to be skinny… we’re doing it for people to be metabolically healthy. And being skinny is a great side effect.”
ARE THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS?
The most common side-effect of semaglutide or tirzepatide is nausea and possibly other digestive issues. But we take proactive measures to ensure that the chances of this happening to you are slim.
For your first month, we will start you at a lower dose to allow your body to get used to it. We typically increase incrementally in months two and three; however, everyone is different. The goal is for you to lose a few pounds a week with no nausea.
If you find you are not losing any weight initially, we can increase your dosage slightly until we hit the “sweet spot” of what is right for you.
The medication is also compounded with Vitamin B-6, which will help curb any nausea.
Absolute Contraindications to the medically supervised weight loss program are:
- Personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer
- Type-1 diabetes (an auto-immune condition)
- MEN – multiple endocrine neoplasia
- Pancreatitis
- Decreased kidney function
We are Here to Support You!
Our Medically Supervised Weight Loss Program is administered by one of our highly skilled Nurse Practitioners, Debbie Bluestein or Jennifer Mata, and overseen by Dr. Elwell.
We will meet with you regularly throughout your program. However, if you have questions or need adjustments to your dosing, please contact your provider anytime. The best way to reach her will be through your patient portal.
We hope you all are as excited about this as we are!
For more information, call our New Patient Coordinator at 972-960-4800
Or fill in the inquiry form below, and we will contact you!
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