For individuals struggling with weight loss, TLC (Texas Laparoscopic Consultants or TLC Boutique Wellness, and TLC Family Health) offers a range of medical weight loss programs designed to provide personalized and effective solutions. This article delves into the details of these programs, exploring various options from prescription medications to surgical interventions and holistic wellness therapies.
Understanding TLC Family Health and Direct Primary Care
TLC Family Health operates on an affordable membership model known as Direct Primary Care (DPC). This model functions outside the traditional insurance system, providing patients with direct and easy access to healthcare providers. Benefits include shorter wait times, convenient portal communication, and emergency cell phone access to your healthcare provider. By establishing direct relationships with labs and suppliers, TLC Family Health eliminates costly intermediaries, significantly reducing expenses. Patients receive every test or treatment at cost, often resulting in surprisingly low prices.
TLC Family Health is located in Flower Mound, Texas, at 2601 Churchill Drive, Ste. The office is east of the intersection of FM 2499 (Long Prairie Road) and Churchill Drive.
Prescription Weight Loss Medication at TLC's Houston Weight Loss Clinic
Recognizing that willpower alone isn't always sufficient, TLC’s Houston weight loss clinic offers medically supervised weight loss plans that may include prescription medications. All medications prescribed have been clinically tested and FDA-approved for long-term use.
The weight loss drugs prescribed include:
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- Wegovy: A once-per-week injectable medication approved for adults with a BMI of 30 or higher, or a BMI of 27 to 30 with an obesity-related condition like Type 2 Diabetes. Wegovy contains a peptide hormone molecule previously used in Type 2 Diabetes treatment.
- Saxenda: Another prescription-only, FDA-approved injectable medicine that can aid certain adults in losing weight and maintaining the loss. Administered via a pen with a thin needle, Saxenda is injected once daily into the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. It's intended for use alongside a reduced-calorie meal plan and increased physical activity.
- Qysmia: This medication contains two medicines, The quick-release medicine in Qysmia starts working right away and is thought to reduce your appetite.
- Contrave: Mentioned as one of the weight loss drugs.
- Adipex: Functions by limiting appetite.
It’s important to remember that weight loss medications are most effective when combined with an active lifestyle and a healthy diet. If diet and exercise haven't yielded the desired results, consulting with TLC’s doctors about medical weight loss prescription drugs may be a viable option.
Surgical Weight Loss Options at Texas Laparoscopic Consultants
Texas Laparoscopic Consultants offers a range of surgical options for individuals with severe obesity or those who haven't achieved success with other methods. These procedures include:
- Gastric Bypass Surgery: A restrictive and malabsorptive procedure that reduces stomach capacity to limit food intake and alters how nutrients are absorbed.
- Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch (BPD/DS): Suitable for patients with severe obesity, this procedure reduces stomach size and changes the digestive process. A variation, Loop Duodenal Switch, is also available. This surgery can significantly improve diabetes and hypertension.
- Adjustable Gastric Band Surgery: This procedure involves placing a specialized belt-like device around the stomach to restrict food intake, helping patients feel full with less food and fewer calories. The stomach is not permanently altered in this surgery.
- Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG): A minimally invasive, non-surgical procedure that reduces stomach capacity using an endoscopic suturing device inserted through the mouth. ESG is ideal for individuals seeking to lose 20 to 40 pounds who have struggled with diet and exercise.
Bariatric Surgery Revision Options
For individuals who have previously undergone gastric band, gastric bypass, or gastric sleeve surgery but haven't achieved the desired results or have regained weight, TLC offers surgical and non-surgical bariatric surgery revision options.
The Optifast® Program at Memorial Institute of Health & Healing
The Memorial Institute of Health & Healing offers the Transition Phase of the Optifast® Program, a doctor-supervised meal plan that has been helping patients achieve their weight loss goals for over 40 years. The Transition Phase adds one regular meal (about 400 calories) into your diet while still using Optifast® meal replacements. Key benefits include custom nutrition plans, behavioral support, medical supervision, and long-term weight loss strategies.
Personalized Medical Weight Loss Plans at TLC Boutique Wellness
TLC Boutique Wellness provides personalized medical weight loss plans tailored to individual needs. These plans may utilize GLP-1, GIP, and Glucagon RA, and peptides to activate the body’s natural fat-burning, muscle-building, and recovery processes. This approach aims to help patients shed weight, preserve lean mass, and boost energy from within. The program includes:
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- Supervised Medical Weight Loss: Comprehensive supervision and support from a team of experts who guide patients through personalized plans involving dietary changes, exercise recommendations, and medication if necessary.
- Personalized Meal Plans: Tailored to dietary preferences and requirements.
- Exercise Recommendations: Exercise is an important component of the Medical Weight Loss program.
- Holistic Wellness Therapies: To reinforce the weight loss journey and promote sustainable lifestyle changes.
TLC Boutique Wellness emphasizes that weight loss is not just about shedding pounds but about achieving optimal health and well-being.
Leading Bariatric Surgeons at TLC
TLC is affiliated with highly experienced and respected bariatric surgeons:
- Dr. Sherman Yu: Offers advanced minimally invasive weight loss treatment options and has been recognized as a “Centers of Excellence Surgeon” and an “America’s Top Surgeon.”
- Dr. Terry Scarborough: Specializes in personalized weight loss procedures and is an authority in minimally invasive surgical techniques.
- Dr. Sheilendra Suresh Mehta: Medical Director of the Bariatric Surgery Program at Memorial Hermann Sugarland Hospital, dedicated to comprehensive care for patients seeking weight loss solutions and treatment for heartburn and acid reflux.
- Dr. Stevenson Tsiao: A Board-Certified surgeon specializing in bariatric surgery procedures, including Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, and revisional bariatric surgery, as well as foregut surgery, general surgery, and trauma procedures.
Insurance Coverage and Getting Started
Health insurance may cover bariatric surgery, but understanding the specifics of your plan can be challenging. The coverage for the Medical Weight Loss program varies depending on your insurance provider and policy. Contacting TLC’s team to schedule a consultation is the first step to getting started with any of their medical weight loss programs. The duration of the Medical Weight Loss program varies depending on individual needs and goals. The program is designed to help you achieve long-term weight loss.
Potential Side Effects
As with any weight loss program, there may be potential side effects. It’s important to discuss these with your healthcare provider at TLC.
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