Weight Management Programs
Step 1 Towards Weight Management:
The first step to all of our weight management programs is a consultation and evaluation with a medical doctor, specializing in obesity medicine. Health information is collected through our health risk assessment and biometric testing to identify an individual's health status, risks, and habits- blood pressure, body composition, cholesterol and blood sugar levels, bone density, and cardiovascular health. During this first step, your provider will address any health concerns and conditions, chronic diseases, lifestyle, medical history, mental health, and more. By addressing these issues, our team can find the root cause of weight gain and determine the best route for each individual to take.
Tools We Combine to Optimize Program Success
These tools can be used in a variety of combinations in our programs based on the doctor's evaluation, allowing us to develop individualized plans to help you reach your health goals and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Meal Replacements
Doctor for Life utilizes prescribed low caloric diet (LCD) plans to help patients break old habits, identifying mindless eating, and break food addictions.
Based on patients' individual needs, our physician will prescribe various caloric diets, using nutritional meal replacements (protein shakes, bars, and soups).
Prescription Medications to Suppress Appetite
Based on medical necessity, our physician can prescribe appetite suppresants and incorporate them into your individualized weight management plan.
We use a variety of FDA approved medications: Qsymia, Belviq, Contrave, and Adipex. We also have all natural alternatives, including Garcinia Cambogia.
Patients on these medications are monitored closely by our physician and are exprected to have monthly follow-ups.
What exercise regimen is best for YOU?
Our physician and fitness trainer work together to develop personalized workouts for you based on your indivudial Fitness Assessment.
Prescribed workouts include:
- Frequency: how many days a week?
- Intensity: heart rate incease based on individual physical capabilities
- Time: how long per workout session?
- Type: cardio, specific muscle group, aerobic?
Kick Bad Habits and Attitudes
Our physician and behavioral health coach work together to determine mental blocks preventing successful change and discuss behavior changes to break bad habits.
Get Well, Stay Well Program
This 12 month program
is designed for any patients looking to lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Program Timeline- 12 months:
Week 1:
Initial evaluation with Dr. Cheryl Sarmiento
Weeks 2-4:
Initial consults with Behavioral Health Coach, Dietitian, and Fitness Trainer (initial Fitness Assessment)
Every 6 Weeks:
After having all initial appointments and Fitness Assessment, patients will alternate every 6 weeks between our Health Coach and Dietitian, with the option of incorporating our Fitness Trainer for updated exercise plans.
Month 12:
After a year of the program, patients will have a second Fitness Assessment completed to compare and track progress.
Targeted Therapeutics Program:
This high intensity program is intended for high risk patients
(BMI > 30 with chronic medical conditions- hypertension, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, etc.)
Our Targeted Therapeutics Program entails strict medical supervision, utilizing strict low caloric diet plans with meal replacements, prescription medications, and exercise routines based on the provider's evaluation of the individual patient goals and medical needs. These tightly structured formats allow for safe and effective weight loss without compromising taste and satiety. This program is accompanied by individual counseling and or group classes both of which are designed to promote compliance to the diet, improve nutrition knowledge, introduce exercise, change the food thinking process, modify lifestyle, reduce stress and improve self confidence. During this program, patients can focus on changing health habits while eliminating the stress surrounding shopping for and preparing food.
Program Timeline- 4-6 weeks:
Week 1:
Initial evaluation with Dr. Sarmiento
Weeks 2-6:
Weekly follow-ups to ensure that the prescribed regimen is working properly
Healthy Weight Lifestyle Program:
This moderate intensity program is intended for moderate risk patients
(BMI 27-30 with chronic medical conditions- hypertension, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, etc.)
Our Healthy Weight Lifestyle Program utilizes less meal replacements in the low caloric diet plans designed by the provider and has a stronger emphasis on building skills regarding dietary habits. This phase focuses on establishing a healthier relationship with food, rather than relying solely on meal replacements, and incorporating physical exercise into daily life. Self-monitoring techniques that include eating awareness, stimulus control, and self-responsibility are important learning tools during this process. This phase prepares the body physically and mentally for the behavioral and lifestyle changes necessary for life long, healthy weight maintenance.
Program Timeline- Up to 6 months:
Week 1:
Initial evaluation with Dr. Sarmiento
Months 1-6:
Bi-weekly follow-ups to ensure that the prescribed regimen is working properly
Optimal Health Program:
This low intensity program is intended for low risk patients
(BMI <30 without chronic medical conditions)
Our Optimal Health Program focuses on weight maintenance or low urgency weight loss. Patients in this program are guided to fine tune their healthy habits to increase their confidence in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. This phase can also be applied to prevent weight re-gain. Relapse prevention is discussed and re-enforced as well as practical tips for long term weight maintenance. It is important to stay connected where ongoing support, guidance, accountability, reinforcement and problem solving strategies are provided by health professionals.
Program Timeline- Up to 12 months:
Week 1:
Initial evaluation with Dr. Sarmiento
Months 1-12:
Monthly follow-ups to ensure that the prescribed regimen is working properly
What if a program doesn't fit you?
All of our programs can be modified to individual patients' needs including finances, time, physical capabilities, and more. Our weight management programs have affordable cash and insurance options. During patient's visits, we can modify program plans to ensure that it matches YOU and YOUR needs based on provider evaluations, medical necessity, and financial hurdles.
We understand that each patient is different, and we're ready to work on an individual basis to provide the tools needed to succeed!
Your Team
Cheryl Sarmiento, MD
Internal Medicine and Obesity Medicine Physician
Tesa Edge
Behavioral Health Coach
Daniel Andras
Registered Dietitian
JT Threlkeld
Personal Fitness Trainer