For individuals seeking effective and medically supervised weight loss solutions, North Shore Weight Loss Clinic offers a range of programs and treatments designed to promote sustainable and transformative results. This article delves into the various aspects of the clinic, including its programs, treatments, and approach to patient care, providing a comprehensive overview for those considering their services.
Understanding the North Shore Approach to Weight Loss
North Shore Weight Loss Clinic emphasizes a holistic approach to weight management. The clinic understands the science behind weight loss and weight gain, and what is absolutely necessary to reach a healthy weight and maintain it. They recognize that sustained weight loss is possible and that a medical weight loss program offers the best chance of success.
The clinic's programs require a higher level of commitment than non-medical weight loss clinics. Most patients have tried other methods to reach a healthier weight, and the clinic understands the long and frustrating journey many face.
Program Options: Tailored to Individual Needs
North Shore Weight Loss Clinic offers two main program categories:
- All Grocery Food: This program involves planning and preparing your own grocery food as outlined by the clinic's Director of Nutrition.
- Meal Replacement: This program replaces some or all of your daily food with New Direction protein shakes, soups, and bars. These medical-grade supplements are designed for safe, nutritionally complete, and efficient weight loss.
Within these categories, the clinic offers three specific plans:
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- Plan 1: All Meal Replacements (No Grocery Food): This straightforward plan provides the most efficient weight loss, utilizing five NewDirection® products per day. This plan requires weekly visits with Jen and monthly visits with Dr. Costello.
- Plan 2: 3-4 Meal Replacements with Small “Lean and Green” Meal: This plan offers more flexibility, resulting in slower weight loss. It includes four NewDirection® products per day plus a 200-calorie meal OR three NewDirection® products per day plus a 400-calorie meal. A "Lean and Green" meal plan and shopping list are provided. This plan requires weekly visits with Jen and monthly visits with Dr. Costello.
- Plan 3: 2-3 Meal Replacements with Grocery Meal Plan: This plan is the most flexible in terms of grocery food variety. However, weight loss is slower, and meal preparation takes more time. It includes two to three NewDirection® products plus 500-600 calories of grocery food, incorporating fruit, starch, veggies, and fat in four different eating patterns. Meal guides and shopping lists are provided. This plan requires weekly visits with Jen and variable visits with Dr. Costello.
The clinic encourages patients to consider starting with meal replacements (Plan 1 or Plan 2) to kickstart weight loss and provide encouragement.
Initial Steps: Consultation, Labs, and Medical Screen
The journey at North Shore Weight Loss Clinic begins with a consultation, which may be conducted via telehealth or in person. Following the consultation, patients who opt for Plan 1 or Plan 2 undergo a specific set of lab tests and an EKG. If an EKG has been performed within the last three months, it can be used, provided it has been reviewed and signed by a physician. The clinic encourages patients to have their EKG performed at Anna Jaques Hospital, where they have an established relationship with the on-staff cardiologists. Additionally, at least one office note from the patient's primary care physician (PCP) and any notes from specialists are required before the medical screen.
The next step involves a medical screen follow-up with Dr. Costello, which can be conducted in person or via telehealth. This appointment reviews the lab results and EKG, addresses any questions, and outlines what to expect during the program.
Once cleared by Dr. Costello, patients can order their products and schedule their initial appointment with Jen.
The Role of Technology and Accountability
All programs at North Shore Weight Loss Clinic require tracking of food and water intake. Patients utilize a body-composition scale that connects to the BodySite App on their smartphones. This allows the clinic to monitor progress frequently, which has proven to be an essential element in successful weight loss and maintenance.
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Nutrition Expertise and Meal Replacements
Jennifer, the clinic's Director of Nutrition, has over 25 years of experience in the field of weight loss. While liking healthy whole foods is beneficial, it is often not enough to lose weight. Meal replacements provide the right balance of protein, carbs, fat, vitamins, and minerals in appropriate calorie portions for healthy weight loss. Importantly, meal replacements help prevent the loss of muscle mass during the weight loss process. The expectation is that meal replacements are a tool for the weight loss portion of the journey, not a long-term solution.
Cost and Insurance Coverage
The screening lab work and EKG are typically covered by insurance. Patients may also submit for reimbursement of nutrition visits, with some receiving partial reimbursement. The clinic can provide the necessary documentation for submission, but they are not involved in the process. Meal replacements are generally not covered by insurance, but some individuals use their Health Savings Account (HSA) to cover some of the cost.
Weight Loss Injections: An Additional Tool
North Shore Medical Wellness in Huntington, NY, offers weight loss injections as a treatment option. When paired with a balanced diet, weight loss injections can be effective for reaching a goal weight. This treatment helps the body burn fat while decreasing feelings of hunger and cravings.
Weight loss injections work by mimicking the effects of the hormone GLP-1, suppressing appetite and leading to increased feelings of fullness after meals. The initial dosage is relatively low and is slowly increased over 16-20 weeks to help patients reach their desired weight. Typically, patients lose about 15% of their body weight.
It's important to note that weight loss injections are not a magic solution and should be combined with a healthy lifestyle.
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Considerations for Weight Loss Injections
- Dosage and Administration: The initial weight loss injection dosage for new patients is relatively low, and it is gradually increased over 16-20 weeks to facilitate weight loss.
- Expected Results: While individual results may vary, patients can typically expect to lose about 15% of their body weight with weight loss injections.
- Side Effects: Common side effects may include abdominal pain, headache, low blood sugar, constipation, fatigue, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and dizziness. These side effects are usually not severe and can be minimized by eating slowly, drinking clear fluids, avoiding greasy and sweet snacks, and staying upright after eating.
- Cost: The cost of weight loss injections varies depending on factors like the patient's goal weight. Patients with a higher starting weight may require more treatments to reach their desired weight.
Weight Loss Injections vs. Other Medications
- Mounjaro: Mounjaro works similarly to weight loss injections like Ozempic and Wegovy but acts on both GLP-1 and GIP receptors. Some experts argue that studies comparing weight loss injections to Mounjaro may not be entirely fair due to dosage differences.
Real-Time Body Scanning Technology
North Shore Weight Loss Clinic utilizes a real-time 3D weight loss body scanner to help patients visualize their progress. This technology allows for the extraction of exact measurements, shape, body composition, and other relevant data. The body scanner makes it possible to see physical changes in 3D, providing a more comprehensive understanding of weight loss progress than scales or traditional measurements.
The Importance of Personalized Care
Dr. Ocasio and his team at North Shore Medical Wellness strive to provide a collaborative experience where patients feel heard. They create treatment plans to accommodate individual concerns and needs. The clinic's dedication to patient success is evident in its thorough consultation process, where they take the time to understand each patient's goals and medical history.
Testimonials: Real Patient Experiences
Numerous patients have shared positive experiences with North Shore Weight Loss Clinic:
- B.F. appreciates Dr. Weiss's holistic approach, focusing on healthy eating, exercise, and good habits as the starting point for health.
- One patient shared excitement about their weight loss progress, noting that their clothes are much smaller and that friends have noticed their transformation.
- K.K. found the meal replacement program easy and successful, achieving significant milestones in BMI and blood pressure.
- K.F. highlights the life-saving impact of the Weight For Me weight loss program, improving her diabetes and overall health.
Semaglutide and Tirzepatide: Advanced Weight Management Options
North Shore Weight Loss Clinic offers Semaglutide and Tirzepatide as part of its weight management solutions. These medications, when used under expert guidance, can provide sustainable and transformative results.
- Semaglutide: A glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, Semaglutide regulates appetite and promotes a sense of fullness, assisting individuals in making healthier food choices and reducing overall caloric intake.
- Tirzepatide: A dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and GLP-1 receptor agonist, Tirzepatide addresses weight concerns and contributes to improved glycemic control, making it a comprehensive solution for those with diabetes or pre-diabetic conditions.
The clinic's qualification process includes a thorough bloodwork analysis to tailor Semaglutide and Tirzepatide treatments to individual needs. They also offer a convenience-first approach with a mix of in-office and virtual visits and continuous support and guidance from their team of professionals. Weekly virtual check-ins provide a personalized way for the medical team to assess well-being, address questions, and ensure the weight loss plan is on track.
Dr. Tanya Adams' Approach to Weight Loss
Dr. Tanya Adams, a board-certified physician in family medicine and lifestyle medicine, brings her personal experience with weight loss to her practice. Having struggled with obesity herself, she understands the challenges patients face. She combines GLP-1 medication with a sensible diet, medical support, supplements, lifestyle changes, and other prescription medications as needed. Driven by the need to help patients find and access effective weight loss tools, Dr. Adams assembled a team of experienced experts to make the dream of losing and maintaining weight a reality.