Obesity and being overweight have become common health concerns, leading many individuals to seek effective weight loss solutions. This article delves into the details of various weight loss programs, including those offered in Sutter, California, and by UCSF, providing a comprehensive overview of options available to those looking to improve their health and well-being.
Weight Management Programs: A Comprehensive Approach
Losing weight and maintaining a healthy lifestyle often require a multifaceted approach. Weight management programs typically combine several strategies to maximize an individual's chances of success. These strategies can include dietary changes, exercise programs, behavior modifications, support groups, and educational lectures.
The UCSF Weight Management Program
The UCSF Weight Management Program offers customized plans to help adult patients achieve and maintain weight loss. Recognizing that a one-size-fits-all approach is not effective, UCSF tailors its programs to the individual needs of each patient. The plans may include weight loss techniques, dietary changes, exercise programs and behavior modifications, as well as support groups and educational lectures. Research has shown that combining a variety of weight loss and management techniques increases an individual's chance of long-term success. Established in 1985, the UCSF program is led by doctors who have more than 20 years of experience in managing weight loss, including for patients with complicated medical conditions. These doctors collaborate as needed with other medical specialists at UCSF to design the most effective plan for each patient. The UCSF team includes a registered dietitian and clinical psychologist with special training in weight management.
UCSF offers three weight management plans:
- The Step-by-Step Program: A structured approach to weight loss, likely involving gradual changes to diet and exercise habits.
- The Meal Replacement Program: This program utilizes nutritionally complete, prepared foods to replace some or all regular meals, creating a very low-calorie diet. This is a one-year, medically supervised, rapid weight loss program.
- The Individual Consultation Program: Tailored advice and support based on individual needs and goals, including assessments of nutritional consumption, energy balance, lifestyle and psychological factors that influence health and weight.
For those whose insurance does not cover the program, UCSF allows patients to pay out-of-pocket for each visit, offering flexibility in terms of frequency based on individual budgets.
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Shapely: A Telehealth Medical Weight Loss Program in Sutter, California
Shapely is a top-rated medical weight loss program in Sutter, California, that provides care via telehealth. Telehealth offers a convenient and accessible way to receive medical care, especially for those who may have difficulty traveling to in-person appointments. Shapely provides affordable weight loss medications and consultations with experts you can trust. As a Shapely member, you'll have access to everything you need to lose weight.
What Shapely Offers
- 1:1 Consults with board-certified physicians and providers: Personalized consultations with medical professionals to discuss your weight loss goals and develop a tailored plan.
- Prescriptions for weight loss medications: Access to medications such as Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy and more (if appropriate)
- Access to a personal dietitian and meal planning: Support from a registered dietitian to help you stay on track with your dietary goals.
- Monthly video visits with weight loss expert: Ongoing support and monitoring through regular video consultations.
- Unlimited support via chat and our app: Convenient access to support and answers to your questions.
- Biweekly dietitian visits: Regular consultations with a dietitian to refine your meal plans and address any dietary concerns.
Shapely Membership Options
Shapely offers different membership options to suit various needs and budgets:
Paying with Insurance:
- \$49/month + co-pays
- Monthly video visits with weight loss expert
- Affordable access to weight loss medications
- Unlimited support via chat and our app
- Biweekly dietitian visits
Paying Without Insurance:
- \$99/month \$49/month (Save \$50 off the first month)
- Monthly video visits with weight loss expert
- Affordable access to weight loss medications
- Unlimited support via chat and our app
Important Exclusions:
- Labs (typically covered by insurance or \$75)
- Medications we prescribe
Medications Offered by Shapely
Shapely offers several medications to aid in weight loss, including both newer and more established options.
Newer Medications:
- Semaglutide
- Tirzepatide
- Wegovy®
- Ozempic ®
- Zepbound ®
- Mounjaro ®
These medications have transformed weight loss, resulting in significant weight loss with minimal side effects. For example, average 15% weight loss was seen with Wegovy in Step 1 trial, while average 21% weight loss was seen with Zepbound in Surmount 1 trial.
Foundational Medications:
- Contrave®
These foundational meds set the stage for weight loss and have been safely used for years. Average 6.1% weight loss was seen with Contrave in the COR-1 trial.
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Important Considerations:
- Prescriptions are at the medical provider’s discretion and may not be appropriate for everyone.
- Individual results may vary.
- Weight loss medications can help you lose 21% of your body weight when paired with lifestyle change.
Real Patient Success Stories
Many patients have experienced significant weight loss and improved health through Shapely's program. Here are a few examples:
- Vanessa: Lost 53 lbs in 9 months, going from 190 pounds to 137 pounds.
- Kathy: Lost 42 lbs in 6 months and is no longer on blood pressure medication.
- Tara: Lost 72 lbs in 12 months, normalized her A1c, and lowered her risk for diabetes and heart disease.
- Mary Jane: Lost 40 lbs in 5 months, going from 190lbs to 150lbs.
- Jeanine: Lost 57 lbs in 6 months, experiencing a significant reduction in emotional eating and cravings.
- Cynthia: Lost 74 lbs in 6 months, going from 245 pounds to 171 pounds.
- Patricia: Lost 36 lbs in 8 months, going from 210 lbs to 174 lbs.
- Robin: Lost 85 lbs in 9 months, experiencing a significant reduction in food noise.
- Laurel: Lost 56 lbs in 7 months, experiencing a reduction in food noise and cravings.
These testimonials highlight the potential benefits of the Shapely program, but it's important to remember that individual results may vary.
Shapely FAQs
- Who is eligible to join Shapely? Currently, Shapely serves adults aged 18 and older in Texas, Florida, New York, and California. Shapely's weight loss program in Texas, Florida, New York, and California will soon be expanding to all 50 US states!
- What does my insurance cover? Shapely navigates insurance on your behalf and are able to work with the vast majority of insurance companies to get cost-effective access to GLP-1 medications like Mounjaro and Wegovy. For patients with commercial insurance, medication co-pays are typically \$25 per month but depending on the plan may be higher. If you do not have insurance, or if insurance doesn't cover the cost, Shapely offers an accessibility program and will send your prescriptions to a compounding pharmacy. Labs are also typically covered by insurance though there may be a co-pay. For patients without insurance, Shapely offers labs for a flat rate of \$75, requiring you to go to a Labcorp location for lab draw.
- What if I don’t have insurance? For patients who do not have insurance or whose insurance does not cover the cost of medication, Shapely offers an accessibility program and partners with compounding pharmacies to allow you to affordably access the medications you need, including compounded semaglutide for \$199 per month and compounded tirzepatide starting from \$299 per month. Shapely has also partnered with LabCorp to offer a comprehensive lab-panel for a flat-rate of \$75.
- How much weight will I lose? Typically, patients who have started taking GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy can lose up to 15% of their weight. With Mounjaro and Zepbound, weight loss can be as much as 20%. Note that results are not guaranteed and may vary. With other medications, weight loss can be up to 10%.
- How long will it take me to lose weight? Typically, patients who are taking GLP-1 agonists such as Ozempic and Wegovy will lose 10% of weight by 6 months and 15% within 1 year. Results will vary by patient, intervention, and medication prescribed (if appropriate). Patients benefit from at least a 12-month comprehensive weight-loss program to establish the proper habits to sustain long-term weight loss.
- What if I'm ineligible for a GLP-1 agonist? If you are not a good candidate for GLP-1 agonists, physicians will offer different modalities of weight loss for you, including alternative medications, lifestyle modification, continuous glucose monitoring, and other tools.
- Will I need labs as a Shapely patient? Recent labs are required prior to taking most weight loss medications. Shapely will either order labs for you or accept labs completed within 6 months before program enrollment. Labs are typically covered by insurance though there may be a co-pay.
The Role of Medications in Weight Loss
Weight loss medications can be a valuable tool for some individuals, especially when combined with lifestyle changes. Medications like semaglutide, tirzepatide, Wegovy, Ozempic, Zepbound and Mounjaro have shown promising results in clinical trials, leading to significant weight loss in many patients. Contrave is a foundational medication that has been safely used for years.
However, it's crucial to remember that these medications are not a magic bullet. They work best when used in conjunction with a healthy diet and regular exercise. Additionally, they may not be appropriate for everyone, and potential side effects should be carefully considered.
Lifestyle Changes: The Cornerstone of Sustainable Weight Loss
While weight loss programs and medications can provide valuable support, lifestyle changes are the cornerstone of sustainable weight loss. These changes may include:
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- Dietary modifications: Focusing on whole, unprocessed foods, reducing portion sizes, and limiting sugary drinks and unhealthy fats.
- Regular exercise: Aiming for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise per week, along with strength training exercises.
- Behavioral modifications: Identifying and addressing emotional eating triggers, developing strategies for managing stress, and building a strong support system.