Comprehensive Guide to Care Clinics for Weight Loss

Obesity is a prevalent and chronic condition with significant health consequences. Many individuals find it challenging to achieve sustainable weight loss through traditional diets. Care clinics specializing in weight management offer comprehensive, individualized approaches to help patients reach their health goals. This article explores the various aspects of care clinics for weight loss, including medical and surgical options, virtual programs, and the importance of personalized care.

Understanding Medical Weight Management

Medical weight management is a non-surgical approach that combines lifestyle changes, behavioral therapy, medications, and professional guidance. This comprehensive strategy aims to address the various factors contributing to weight gain and provide patients with the tools they need to achieve and maintain a healthy weight.

Key Components of Medical Weight Management

  • Lifestyle Changes: This involves making sustainable changes to dietary habits, incorporating regular physical activity, and improving sleep patterns.
  • Behavioral Therapy: Addresses emotional and psychological factors that contribute to overeating and unhealthy behaviors.
  • Medications: Prescription medications can help suppress appetite, increase feelings of fullness, and improve metabolic function.
  • Professional Guidance: A team of healthcare professionals, including doctors, dietitians, and exercise physiologists, provides ongoing support and guidance.

UAMS Health Medical Weight Management Clinic

The UAMS Health Medical and Surgical Weight Management Clinic offers both medical and surgical weight management programs. Their medical weight management program is a non-surgical, comprehensive approach that combines lifestyle changes, behavioral therapy, medications, and professional guidance to achieve weight loss.

GLP-1 Programs at Care Clinics

Care Clinics offer structured programs utilizing GLP-1 (Glucagon-like peptide-1) medications like Semaglutide and Tirzepatide. These programs involve progressively increasing doses of the medication over a 12-week period, allowing the body to adjust gradually and minimize potential side effects.

  • 3-Month GLP-1 Program (Semaglutide): This plan includes progressively increasing doses of Semaglutide from 0.5 mg for 3 weeks to 0.75 mg for 3 weeks to 1 mg for 3 weeks and ending at 1.7 mg for last 3 weeks.
  • 3-Month GLP-1/GIP Program (Tirzepatide): This plan includes progressively increasing doses of Tirzepatide from 2.5 mg for 3 weeks to 5 mg for 4 weeks and ending at 7.5 mg for last 5 weeks.

Surgical Weight Management

For individuals with severe obesity or obesity-related health conditions, surgical weight management may be a viable option. The UAMS Surgical Weight Management Program provides effective surgical solutions for weight loss and the management of obesity-related health conditions.

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Metabolic Surgery at Billings Clinic

Billings Clinic offers metabolic surgery as a treatment option for weight loss. Metabolic surgery involves several months of preparation prior to the actual operation. It's important to have all the right information for you and your family. Patients wanting to have metabolic surgery will spend several months working with our team in preparation for surgery. Metabolic surgery is a big change and involves many lifestyle changes. Patients in our program work with a medical provider, dietitian, trainer, licensed clinic social worker and of course a surgeon.

Insurance Coverage for Metabolic Surgery

Contact your insurance company to verify if your plan covers metabolic surgery (bariatric surgery/weight loss surgery). Montana Medicaid does not cover metabolic surgery, but every other plan is different in their coverage. They may ask for CPT codes: Gastric Bypass (43644) or Sleeve Gastrectomy (43775). Every insurance company requires something different in terms of preparation. Many insurance companies require this before they approve bariatric (metabolic) surgery. You will want to know if there are any restrictions or networks of providers you need to go to. Keep documentation of your conversation, including who you spoke to and the time and date of conversation. It is a good idea to ask if you could have a copy of your policy explaining your coverage.

Preparation for Metabolic Surgery

Patients wanting to have metabolic surgery will spend several months working with our team in preparation for surgery. Metabolic surgery is a big change and involves many lifestyle changes. Patients in our program work with a medical provider, dietitian, trainer, licensed clinic social worker and of course a surgeon.

MBSAQIP Accreditation

Our program is accredited by MBSAQIP (Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program). This means that we must meet and uphold certain standards along with continually improving the quality of our program. Our multi-disciplinary team will help you prepare for surgery and will continue to work with you afterward.

Cash Pay Option

We do offer a cash pay price. You can contact our financial liaison at 435-5373 and give her your insurance information (from your insurance card). She will be able to tell you if metabolic surgery is a benefit of your plan.

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Medical Weight Management Programs at Billings Clinic

In addition to metabolic surgery, Billings Clinic has several medical weight management programs at Billings Clinic that you may qualify for.

Virtual Weight Loss Programs

Virtual weight loss programs have emerged as a convenient and accessible option for individuals seeking to lose weight. These programs leverage technology to deliver personalized care, support, and guidance remotely.

Benefits of Virtual Care

  • Increased Access: Virtual care can reach individuals in remote areas or those with limited mobility.
  • Convenience: Patients can access care from the comfort of their own homes, saving time and money on travel.
  • Personalized Support: Virtual platforms offer personalized coaching, tracking tools, and access to online communities.
  • Cost-Effectiveness: Virtual programs can be more affordable than traditional in-person care.

Outcomes of Virtual Weight Care Program

A retrospective cohort study assessed the weight loss outcomes of 66,094 participants in a virtual weight care program that prescribes antiobesity medications alongside a digital behavior change program. At 12 months, the mean percent weight loss was 8.0%, with weight loss increasing over time from 2.9 kg (SD = 3.7, Cohen's d = 0.8) at 3 months, to 5.8 kg (SD = 6.1, Cohen's d = 0.9) at 6 months, to 8.0 kg (SD = 8.7, Cohen's d = 0.9) at 12 months (p < 0.001 for all time points). At 12 months, 64.2% had achieved ≥ 5% weight loss. Weight loss outcomes increased with program engagement.

Virtual Care Program Details

The virtual commercial weight care program provides mobile- and web-based services through a paid subscription, which includes an app-based multicomponent behavior change program, asynchronous access to a health coach, behavior change content and tracking tools, and access to an online support community. The behavior change program is participant-led, which means that program users are encouraged to engage in the ways that feel most supportive for reaching their weight loss goals. Options for engagement include personalized guidance from the app and coach, based on cognitive behavioral therapy techniques, nutrition guidance, and content and recommendations regarding incorporating physical activity and managing the psychological and social elements that can contribute to weight loss (e.g., stress management, optimizing sleep, and engaging with peers). Guidance for nutrition is not oriented around caloric restriction alone, but rather balancing food choices and understanding how to make conscious decisions around meal planning. The app supports users by allowing them to log weight and various health behaviors, making the logs visible to their coach to encourage more active dialog, and providing an interface to engage with a supportive community.

Eligibility Requirements

Participants in the program had to meet the following clinical requirements to be eligible to enroll: 18-65 years old; BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 or ≥ 27 kg/m2 with at least one comorbidity (e.g., diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia); not pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to conceive; at least one previous weight loss attempt; and no medical contraindications.

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Data Collection

Program users can record their body weight in multiple ways. Baseline weight was self‐reported in a questionnaire administered prior to program enrollment. After enrolling in the program, users can self‐report weight by logging it in the program app or web portal, or they can sync the program app with their native mobile health tracking app on their phone (e.g., Apple Health, Samsung Health, Google Fit). This allows any weight they may log in those apps or that is synced to those apps from a connected digital scale to flow into the program app, although during the study period they were required to actively allow each weight log from a synced app.

Program Engagement Measurement

Program engagement was measured in two ways: (1) by the number of days per week with proactive actions taken by the user (e.g., logging a behavior in the app, engaging with a coach or clinician, reading an educational article, engaging with the community), and (2) by the number of weight logs per week and per month.

Personalized Weight Loss Programs

Personalized weight loss programs are tailored to meet the unique needs and goals of each individual. These programs take into account factors such as medical history, lifestyle, preferences, and individual challenges.

Vanderbilt Medical Weight Loss Program

The Vanderbilt Medical Weight Loss Program provides a comprehensive, evidence-based approach for achieving long-term weight loss. You’ll work with a team of caring experts who will help you develop a personalized weight loss plan combining medical, nutritional, exercise and psychological support.

Key Features of Personalized Programs

  • Comprehensive Evaluation: A thorough assessment of overall health, medical history, and lifestyle factors.
  • Customized Plan: A weight loss plan tailored to individual needs and goals.
  • Multidisciplinary Team: A team of healthcare professionals, including doctors, dietitians, exercise physiologists, and psychologists, working together to provide comprehensive care.
  • Ongoing Support: Regular check-ins, follow-up appointments, and support services to help patients stay on track.

Cornerstone Care Clinic's Weight Loss Program

Cornerstone Care Clinic's comprehensive, medically supervised weight loss program can help you reach your health goals at your perfect pace. Patients receive a customized plan guided by our medical professionals to ensure that their weight loss journey is healthy, successful, and has lasting results.

Benefits of Cornerstone's Program

  • For all weight loss visits.
  • supplemental nutritional plan.
  • Of full body composition scale to track progress.
  • From a team who wants to see you succeed!

Ideal Protein and GLP-1 Medications

At Cornerstone, members gain exclusive discounts towards an optional nutritional plan from Ideal Protein, designed to work hand-in-hand with GLP-1 medications to maximize your results. Ideal Protein’s science-backed food and supplement program complements GLP-1 therapy, helping you achieve your weight loss goals while building healthy habits for long-term success.

Compassion Care Clinic's Weight Loss Program

Compassion Care Clinic wants to help you achieve your health goals through weight loss! that aim to track your progress while you embark on a new lifestyle change.

Assessments and Nutritional Education

We make assessments based on your current diet and even prior attempts to lose weight. We want to learn more about your patterns and how we can help you get back on track. Our professionals provide nutritional education to tailor your plan on what you should eat, and how to have a better-balanced diet.

Behavior Management and Meal Planning

Our specialists will speak with you about behavior management and give you more information about what it means to eat your favorite foods in moderation. Planning your meals help save money while taking the worry out of your next meal. Meal planning also helps with portion control so that you can see how much you eat on a daily basis.

Weight Loss Counseling

Weight loss counseling helps make your long-term health goals more effective. Being overweight causes a serious health risk, which is why it is important to assess any mental health problems associated with weight gain. Our team can help you become more aware of any negative thoughts that help feed any unhealthy habits.

Medication Options

Medication for weight loss aid may include: Wegovy, Sexenda, Alli, and Contrave. Patients who are candidates for these treatment may benefit from appetite and food craving reduction and increased feeling of fullness.

The Role of Medications in Weight Loss

Pharmacotherapy plays a crucial role in weight management, particularly when combined with lifestyle interventions. Several FDA-approved medications can aid in weight loss by suppressing appetite, increasing feelings of fullness, or affecting metabolism.

GLP-1 Receptor Agonists

GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as semaglutide and liraglutide, have gained significant attention for their effectiveness in promoting weight loss. These medications mimic the effects of the GLP-1 hormone, which regulates appetite and blood sugar levels.

Other Weight Loss Medications

Other weight loss medications include orlistat, phentermine, and diethylpropion. These medications work through different mechanisms to help reduce appetite or block the absorption of fat.

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