Frequently Asked Questions About Our Medical Weight Loss Programs
How fast do patients normally lose weight?
Patients of ours have seen drastic results within six to twelve weeks. However, it depends on your current state of health, your weight loss plan, and how well you stick to the plan. The average patient loses 20 pounds on the low end, to over 100 pounds. We will help you set realistic weight loss goals and continuously monitor your progression.
Do I need to exercise?
Yes, we will encourage you to adopt long-term lifestyle changes, including exercise. We won’t prescribe a rigid workout plan, but you should expect to make physical activity a regular part of your life.
How do I know if medical weight loss is best for me?
Our supervised weight loss program is the most successful approach to losing weight in a healthy, safe, and long-term way. If you have failed conventional self-help diets like Weight Watchers, South Beach, Jenny Craig, Intermittent Fasting, Atkins, Paleo, and other diet programs, and want to avoid bariatric surgery, this program is for you. It’s for people of any age who have had trouble managing a healthy weight, and it’s a much more practical plan than bariatric surgery, which involves some risk.
What are Optifast meal replacements?
The meal replacements are shakes, nutrition bars, and soups. They have a precise ratio of high quality protein, carbohydrates, and essential fatty acids to stimulate weight loss while curbing appetite and protecting against muscle weight loss. After the first week on the Optifast plan, most patients stop craving their previous regular diet and may soon stop feeling unnecessary hunger. The program calls for frequent small meal plans, each customized for your goals.
Will I need to eat Optifast meal replacements forever?
No. After the first several weeks, you’ll slowly transition to eating self-prepared foods. The end goal of the program is to establish a better diet for the long term with sustained weight maintenance.
Are Optifast meal replacements vegetarian?
Yes, most meal replacements are vegetarian. If you are a vegetarian, you won’t be encouraged to eat meat during your weight loss plan. If you eat meat, you won’t have to give up meat, but we will encourage adding more fruits and vegetables to your long-term diet.
Are Optifast meal replacements gluten free?
Yes, we design a meal replacement program without the bars.
Are Optifast meal replacements okay if I’m lactose intolerant?
Yes, all 800 Optifast products are suitable for lactose intolerance.
Do I need weight loss medication?
Dr. Sitapara believes in using all available tools to get you to your weight goal. It’s an individualized decision after a thoughtful conversation on risk and benefits with Dr. Sitapara. Not all patients need medications on the program, but they are available, and we are experts in medication management. Weight loss medications are FDA approved for people who:
- Are overweight or obese, with body mass index above 27
- Have type-2 diabetes or other obesity-related disease
- Have a history of difficulty losing weight
Are weight loss medications safe?
Yes, when used under the supervision of an obesity medicine doctor.