Weight Management Program
The Weight Management Program at the Cedars-Sinai Center for Weight Loss allows patients to participate in an evidence-based program that has enabled 76 percent of its participants to maintain their weight loss for more than two years (compared to a national average of only 5 percent). The program blends education, support, medical monitoring and proven techniques for long-term weight loss.
While being overweight or obese is often perceived as a cosmetic problem, excess weight puts individuals at risk for many serious conditions including diabetes, hypertension, endocrine disorders, cancer, sleep apnea, cardiovascular diseases, arthritis, as well as knee, back and joint problems. The medical weight management program at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center offers medical treatment for obesity. While losing weight can be difficult, studies have shown that a multidisciplinary approach including dietary changes, physical activity and behavioral modification is the most effective way of achieving and maintaining weight loss.
The program helps you achieve and maintain weight loss by medically proven techniques including meal replacements, individualized dietary plans, weekly behavioral classes, support groups, and medications as needed. Our expert team of physicians, dietitians, exercise physiologists, and behavioral specialists help you not only achieve your ideal weight but address lifestyle changes that enable you to achieve better health.
To determine if any existing medical conditions might prevent you from participating in the program, our medical obesity physician specialists will conduct an initial assessment and also assist you in determining which plan is best for you.
The Weight Management Program offers three different options, depending on how much weight you would like to lose, your lifestyle and personal needs:
Very Low Calorie Diet
The very low calorie diet, which is medically supervised, is designed for patients who have moderate to severe obesity and need to lose 30 pounds or more. Weight loss is achieved by reducing calories to less than 1000 per day with the use of meal replacements such as formulated shakes and prepackaged meals allowing for rapid, safe and consistent weight loss. Individuals following this program have regular consultation with the program physician; careful monitoring with laboratory tests, EKGs and body composition analysis; and weekly behavioral classes.
Low Calorie Diet
The low calorie diet plan is designed for individuals who have less weight to lose and want to incorporate self-prepared food into their dietary plan. This flexible plan allows for portion-controlled meals with the option of meal replacements, limiting calories to 1000-1400 per day. This option emphasizes healthy choices including fruits, vegetables and lean protein sources. Individuals following this plan will have regular consultations with the program physician. Less frequent medical monitoring is required and individuals attend weekly behavioral classes.
Maintenance
Individuals who have achieved their weight loss goals participate in the maintenance program. This consists of weekly behavioral classes that emphasize lifestyle strategies including healthy diet, exercise, stress reduction and other behavioral tools that promote long term weight maintenance and good health. Participants continue to meet with the program physician for ongoing medical supervision and with the dietitian for individualized meal plans and support as necessary to maintain their ideal body weight.
