Weight Loss FAQs

Yes, weight loss actually helps reduce high blood pressure – sometimes to a level where you could reduce or even eliminate your blood pressure medication entirely.

Yes, losing weight can lower your blood sugar if you have type 2 diabetes.  Just a 10% weight loss can greatly affect your blood sugar and possibly minimize your use of diabetic medications.

Yes, you can boost your chances of lowering your  cholesterol with a three-prong approach: modify your fat intake, exercise regularly and lose weight.

Being overweight or obese can increase your risk for many different cancers, including colon, breast and endometrial cancer.

Obesity can be a risk factor for infertility and weight loss can often improve success of conception.

It’s difficult for the natural cushions in our joints to withstand extra body weight. Losing weight can reduce the wear and tear on your joints.

For those with sleep apnea, even modest weight reduction may alleviate the need for long-term therapy or upper-airway surgery.

If you carry your extra pounds around your abdomen, this can put excess stress on your back muscles. Losing weight and strengthening your abdominal muscles can greatly relieve discomfort.

The occurrence of cardiovascular disease increases as your body mass index rise with increased weight gain. Losing weight may be one of the best ways to control or reduce cardiovascular disease.

A Very Low Calorie Diet (VLCD) is a restricted eating plan that helps you accelerate your weight loss.  In addition to losing weight, you can also experience improvement in medical conditions such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cholesterol and others.  While on the plan, you’ll enjoy nutritional supplements that replace grocery foods so you can also focus on learning new healthier behaviors.  in some cases, a VLCD may include nutritional supplements and one meal.

Under proper medical supervision, VLCDs produce quick, significant weight loss in patients who are moderately to extremely obese.  This type of diet has been in use for several decades and has been endorsed by NIH’s Weight-Control Information Network and the American Council on Sports Medicine.

Very Low Calorie Diets are designed for patients with a BMI over 30 (or over 27 with other medical conditions).  If you are at least 30-40 pounds overweight, you may be a good candidate for a VLCD.

VLCDs deliver rapid weight loss – typically, 3-4 pounds per week, for an average of 42 pounds in 12 weeks.  Your results will depend on many factors, including your starting weight, other medical conditions, and individual program design.

The many potential health benefits include lower blood pressure, lower blood-sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes, lower serum cholesterol, improved cardiovascular health, and reduced pain in weight-bearing joints. Weight loss with a VLCD can reduce or eliminate the need for related medications. Self-esteem and energy levels can also soar dramatically

Good news here! The beverages, pudding shakes, soups, and nutrition bars for this program are delicious and available in a variety of flavors.  They’ll help you stave off “diet fatigue” and give you the flavor and satisfaction you crave.

The word “protein” is derived from a Greek word meaning “of first importance.” A daily supply of protein is necessary to support the body and promote or maintain many metabolic functions.

In addition to helping with weight loss, protein helps:

• Build and repair body tissues including muscle, major organs, and collagen
• keep hair, skin bones, and nails healthy
• Regulate body processes including digestion and metabolism
• form hormone, enzymes, and immune system antibodies to help your body function properly

Providing your body with adequate protein throughout the day as part of a balanced diet allows you to maintain good health while you lose weight!

When on a VLCD, calories and carbohydrates are limited and your body burns its own stored fat for energy.  The fat is released into the bloodstream, travels to the liver, and is converted to ketones. Ketones are then released back into the bloodstream and used for energy.

Most patients report that their hunger diminishes within 2 days due to the presences of ketones and reduced food temptations.

You may experience mild, temporary side effects as your body adjusts to the program.  These include greater sensitivity to cold, headaches, fruity breath, fatigue or light-headedness.  Physician supervision and medical monitoring during a VLCD are important to help evaluate and manage possible side effects and changes in medications.

VLCDs are not recommended for children or for pregnant or nursing women.  In addition, a VLCD may not be warranted in people who have conflicting medical conditions or are taking certain medications.  Your physician will assess whether a VLCD is right for you.

All insurance companies and many bariatric surgeons require patients to participate in a weight loss program before surgery. Doing so can reduce the risk of surgical complications and prepare patients for their post-surgery lifestyle and eating plan.