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The Education Component focuses on educating the individual in areas of definitions, energy equations, meeting goals, chronic problems, associated costs, support needs and choosing a program. Patients are asked to purchase various books and manuals which are used in the program. Food awareness is taught.
The goal is to provide the patient with the tools to understand the energy content of food, the impact of various foods on weight and hunger and to develop a lifelong plan to control body weight.
The Nutrition Component of this program includes developing a balanced and scientifically sound nutrition plan that allows for dining out, minimal planning, satiety (fullness) and limited insulin response. This may include recommended meal plans, meal plans and meal replacements or complete meal replacements. Some patients may elect to participate in a Very Low Calorie Diet (VLDL) also known as a Protein Sparing Modified Fast (PSMF).
Upon entering the program each patient receives a complete nutritional history and assessment. Height, Weight, Body Mass Index, Body Fat Analysis, are determined and an individualized diet plan will be proposed for the patient. Patients will find a range of options from which to choose, drawn in accordance with their individual needs and health risk. Diet plans offered include:
Diets will contain a variety of structures using scientifically-formulated nutrition products, either exclusively (No-Meal Diets) or in combination with basic foods. As adjuncts to the comprehensive nutritional management program, various medications and nutraceuticals may also be recommended to control appetite, promote weight loss or provide essential micro-nutrient supplements.
Patients will have short and long term body weight goals determined. Depending on the amount of weight that needs to be lost, diets will be designed to produce 1 to 4 pounds of weight loss per week. Short-term goals will be to drop 2 BMI Units below starting weight. The six-month target for very obese patients will be 10-15 % reduction from initial weight.
The ultimate weight loss goal will be designed to produce a realistic body weight that will significantly reduce a patient’s Long-term risk for health problems associated with obesity. Programs will last 3 months to 2 years. Nutrition Education, Behavior Modification, Exercise Instructions will be part of the program. Maintenance Programs for lasting weight control are emphasized.
Patients will be seen by Dr. Terlinsky and staff bi-weekly and will be seen frequently for charting weight loss progress. Our goal is to provide a nurturing, supportive office atmosphere to achieve successful metabolic and nutritional health.
The Exercise Component focuses on the importance of activity while looking to make exercise a fun and year-round event that incorporates variety and is financially feasible and that is able to fit into daily schedules, while taking into account orthopedic limitations and gradual gain of endurance and stamina. Aerobic and strength training strategies are both used in the program.
Dr. Terlinsky has arranged for a special personal trainer program with a sports club at a discounted price for any patients who are interested.
The Behavioral Component of the program focuses on self-monitoring, event planning, stress management, time management, stimulus control, reinforcement strategies, and relapse prevention. Patients are asked to journal food consumption and exercise activities. The characteristics of Master Weight Controllers are displayed in line with the findings of the National Weight Control Registry. If patients have specific problem areas such as binge eating or craving control, materials appropriate to these issues will be assigned to the patient.
The Medication or Pharmacological component of the program is prescribed to those individuals in the program that are in the high to extremely high risk category. For those individuals, medications are used for appetite suppression and increasing satiety. Medication prescription follows the guidelines of the American Society of Bariatric Physicians and is used in an appropriate, medically safe and sound manner.