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Medical Weight Loss Program
Affordable, Flexible and Effective
Thank you for your interest in our medical weight management programs. We are passionate about helping people attain their wellness and weight loss goals and we look forward to helping you. You may have read through the DFW Bariatric Institute website and noticed that there are several weight loss surgeries which result in excellent weight loss and long-term results. Surgery, however, for some people is not an option, either due to finances, personal preferences or possibly due to not meeting eligibility criteria. Whatever your circumstances, our bariatric surgeons and their team of weight loss treatment professionals understand that your weight and health conditions are a burden to you and that you still may wish to pursue weight loss through non-surgical methods. Methods other than surgery used to treat people who are overweight and obese include diet, behavior modification, exercise and emotional health. Altogether, these tools are the pillars of lifestyle change needed to successfully lose weight and maintain weight loss for as long as possible. In addition to lifestyle change, special medical nutrition programs such as protein sparing modified fasts (PSMF), which use meal replacements, have been successful in reducing weight. Another tool used to curb appetite and assist with lifestyle changes are medications called anorectics. These medications are used to help reduce the desire to eat and help people control calories. I would like to spend a brief moment to describe the pillars of lifestyle change, medical nutrition therapy and weight loss medications so you can better understand how they may assist you.
Please contact the DFW Bariatric Institute for more information, or to schedule a consultation for non-surgical medical weight loss programs at our practice.
Pillars of Lifestyle Change
The pillars of lifestyle change, also called therapeutic lifestyle change, include healthful well-balanced low calorie meal plans, exercise education and participation and behavior modification. Lifestyle changes are started immediately when pursuing optimal health and are important for all people at any weight. At every stage of overweight or obesity these principles are stressed in our programs. As a patient you will benefit from lifestyle coaching from medical professionals, monthly support group meetings, shopping excursions, and one-on-one counseling with registered dietitians and bariatric physician assistants. In addition to healthful eating, and exercise, addressing emotional eating and behavior is also an important part of weight management. We are happy to provide the “The Inner Diet”, a program built around your unique personal profile. Funny as it may sound, it is a “non-dieting” approach to weight management and comes with a personalized profile and workbook. The profile and workbook address your level of commitment, discomfort with weight loss, inner control, perfectionism, secondary gain, or why you may want to be overweight and stress-eating. Completing the comprehensive workbook will provide you with insight and success.
Medical Nutrition Therapy
Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) programs include using specialized meal replacements and very low calorie diets (VLCD,) also called protein sparing modified fasts (PSMF). Our Main program is called Bari-Equipped™ from Fortify Nutritionals™. These plans reduce calories using meal replacements and simple meals for as long as several months to reduce weight rapidly. We offer a variety of plans to suit your particular tastes and medical nutrition needs. We carry BariEssential™ Protein Meal Replacements that can safely be used as liquid meal replacements. Medical nutrition therapy is nutrition and lifestyle counseling that has a positive effect on disease. MNT is useful for high cholesterol, high triglycerides, blood pressure, heart disease, sleep apnea, digestive diseases and other conditions. It is important to understand that some diets may be very low in calories and can be potentially harmful if not guided by a healthcare professional. These plans are never intended for self-use without supervision. Complete liquid plans require weekly meetings and medical risk evaluation with labs, EKG and other medical studies if indicated.
Weight Loss Medications
In addition to therapeutic lifestyle changes and medical nutrition plans, weight loss medications may be needed to get the results you are looking for. They come in several categories. Two prominent categories include appetite suppressants, also called anorectics, and those that cause malabsorption. A drug called Orlistat, now under the brand name Alli®, which is available over-the-counter, is a drug that inhibits pancreatic lipase, an enzyme that breaks down fat and decreases fat absorption. There are other medications that have been approved for short term use at three month intervals. Phentermine, which is generic for Adipex® and diethylproprion, which is generic for Tenuate®, are popular drugs used for their appetite suppressing qualities. Both phentermine and diethylproprion are controlled substances and may have side-effects. We are also happy to announce that we prescribe Qsymia™, a newly FDA approved medication for weight loss.
Life is full of risk and choices regarding health and medications. One benefit you will find at our bariatric center is knowledgeable staff that will take the time to review these medications with you. Ultimately it is up to you and your health provider to safely add medication to any weight loss program. Medications are only useful for those already on a healthy lifestyle program who are not losing weight as expected. They are especially beneficial for people with BMI of 27 or greater, who are concerned about their weight, disease risk and current health status.
No matter which program you choose, we are excited to be on your team. Numerous programs place emphasis on vitamin pills or herbs. They may promote certain medications, injections or surgery. Our programs are so flexible they work with any program you may be on. For example, you may want to add medication to the benefits of Weight Watchers® or Jenny Craig®. Any program you use that is effective for you can be continued. At our bariatric center we put the person first above all else. When you are first, you can’t lose. Whether you join us on a grocery store tour, attend support groups, take prescribed medication or choose surgery, NO is not an option.
Medical Weight Loss Services
- Comprehensive consultation
- Motivational appointments
- The Inner Diet®
- Grocery store appointments
- Educational support groups
- Body fat analysis
- BariEssential™ meal replacements
- Weight loss medication prescription and supervision
- Psychotherapy referrals for emotional support
If you would like more information on our weight loss management programs, or if you would like to schedule a consultation, please contact the DFW Bariatric Institute.
Patient Testimonials
Janet S.
Lost 93 pounds*
"93 pounds later, I have a whole new life. I’ve gone from a size 24 down to 10-12. I no longer have high blood pressure or high cholesterol. My knees, which were in sad shape before surgery, don’t hurt anymore. I joined a gym and participate in water aerobics and a latin impact aerobics class. My whole life has changed. I have much more confidence in myself and love to be with people."
Vivian P.
Lost 140 pounds*
“First off….this surgery will give you your life back. It is a total life changing surgery and I feel like I owe DFW Bariatric my life since they restored mine to me. My weight ballooned up to 273 lbs before my surgery. I have successfully lost and maintained a 140 lb weight loss… This is the most amazing journey that anyone could ever take and the DFW Bariatric Institute staff will all be there to hold your hand and lead you down the road to your success.”
Sherrie M.
Lost 110 pounds*
“I am currently 29 years old and weigh 130 lbs. Before surgery I weighed almost 240 lbs…This is the best thing I have done with my life and would do it again today. It changed my life drastically. My surgeon said to me, 'I can do 50% for you and give you the surgery, but the other 50% is up to you. Your eating, your exercise, your total outlook on life make up the other 50%. And what you want from the surgery is what you will get, and the life you will gain.'”
John E.
Lost 90 pounds*
“I went to a seminar and left there with complete ease, feeling like everyone cared about me and my health. On first office visit I was totally impressed…I never felt rushed in the office, and always felt everyone cared. My surgery was completed and I am now down 90 pounds…The biggest part of recovery comes from the encouragement DFW Bariatric gives. Everyone is always positive and takes the time to explain things in a positive way.”
Kathy D.
Lost 161 pounds*
“There are no words to express the amount of change that weight loss surgery has brought to my life. I am a 54 year old female. There were so many things I was unable to do before the surgery that I blamed on age. It wasn’t my age at all, it was the weight. I am 30 again…The day of my surgery, I weighed 299 pounds. Today I weigh 138 and wear a size 6…I feel so good about myself now. The surgery saved my life!”
Brian S.
Lost 130 pounds*
“After losing 130 pounds, I feel like I have a new lease on life. I was able to stop all of my diabetes, high blood pressure, and my cholesterol medicines. I have always had chronic knee problems and now I am able to run three miles per day without any pain. If I had a choice of doing this surgery again or not, I would definitely do it again. I feel that by having the surgery it not only gave me my life back but it also saved my life.”
Lorna Q.
Lost 107 pounds*
"I have lost the astonishing amount of 107 pounds in less than a year. I feel like I have my life back and I am in control again. All my family and friends are always telling me that I look happier than before and they are right, I am much, much happier than before. I have to thank DFW Bariatric and my husband for helping me throughout this very emotional and amazing journey. I do not regret at all having the surgery, it is one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life.”
Danielle L.
Lost 154 pounds*
“My outlook on life was so different before having my weight loss surgery. I was taking medicine for diabetes, high blood pressure, and depression, and my back, legs, and shoulders hurt all the time which kept me from sleeping. My start weight was 298 pounds. And I am now 144. I’m no longer on any type of medications. My body is the best shape I have ever been in. I am so happy to be where I am today mentally and physically. With my hard work and dedication and with the aid of DFW Bariatric, I am where I want to be. I trust this team with all my heart.”
Dennis H.
Lost 170 pounds*
“At 365 pounds, I was medicated for high blood pressure, diabetes, joint inflammation, and high cholesterol…I was a living example of morbid obesity. I knew then that it was time to do something with my weight…It was not easy to get through all of the hoops that my health plan demanded, but the DFW Bariatric team helped me every step of the way. Today I weigh 195 pounds and feel great! From the time I left the hospital after surgery I have been free from all prescription medications. I can never thank this team enough for giving me back my life."
