What are some of the health-related reasons to lose weight?
Multiple medical conditions are linked to being overweight. Risks of complications related to diabetes, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, arthritis, and sleep apnea are all associated with being overweight. More recently, there has been strong data which links many kinds of cancer with being overweight. According to the National Cancer Institute, obesity is associated with colon cancer, breast cancer, uterine endometrial cancer, kidney cancer, and esophageal cancer, to name a few. It is estimated that obesity and physical inactivity may account for over 25 percent of these cancers. In 2002, approximately 41,000 new cases of cancer in the United States were estimated to be due to obesity.
Do I need to lose weight?
There are several ways to measure whether or not you are overweight or obese. A common method of measurement is the measurement of the Body Mass Index, or BMI. If you enter your height and weight into the BMI calculator below, it will compute your BMI. BMI is categorized as follows:
BMI Categories:
- Underweight = <18.5
- Normal weight = 18.5–24.9
- Overweight = 25–29.9
- Obesity = BMI of 30 or greater
If your BMI is 25 or greater, you should consider if weight loss has
a role in your life. An additional measure of being overweight is your
waist circumference. Women with a waist circumference greater than 35
inches, and men with waist circumference greater than 40 inches should
consider a weight loss evaluation.
My surgeon tells me that I cannot have surgery until I lose weight.
Can you help me?
It is not uncommon for patients scheduled for orthopedic surgery and
bariatric surgery to need to lose weight prior to surgery in order to
optimize post-surgical outcomes. At the Princeton Center for Medical
Weight Loss we can help you lose this weight, and provide you with a
sustainable plan to keep it off after surgery. While we will help you
reach your target weight for surgery, our ultimate goal is to help bring
about lifelong change in your weight.
I need to lose a lot of weight. Can you help me?
Because each of our plans is based on physiological data points and is
tailored to your individual physique and dietary needs, weight loss
plans at the Princeton Center for Medical Weight Loss are appropriate
and effective for patients seeking to lose large amounts of weight, as
well as those who aim to lose just final 10 – 20 pounds. The plans are
fashioned in such a way as to help you achieve weight loss that is
effective, safe, and sustainable.
I only need to lose a little weight – 10 – 20 pounds. Can you help
me?
Because each of our plans is based on physiological data points and
is tailored to your individual physique and dietary needs, weight loss
plans at the Princeton Center for Medical Weight Loss are appropriate
and effective for patients seeking to lose large amounts of weight, as
well as those who aim to lose just final 10 – 20 pounds. The plans are
fashioned in such a way as to help you achieve weight loss that is
effective, safe, and sustainable.
What is the philosophy of the Princeton Center for Medical Weight
Loss? How is it different from other weight loss programs?
At the Princeton Center for Medical Weight Loss, we believe that being
overweight presents significant health and medical risks to individuals,
and that treatment for this chronic problem is of paramount importance.
We believe that individuals have a right to treatment that is focused,
safe, and individualized. We believe that effective and sustainable
weight loss can be achieved when based on proven scientific principles
of medicine that take into account nutrition, education, exercise, and
diet.
At the Princeton Center for Medical Weight Loss we do not look for a
quick fix, but rather seek to help you change your relationship to food
in a way that will provide lasting changes. We provide a
medically-supervised environment that addresses all of the multiple
factors that contribute to weight gain.
Will losing weight help my diabetes? Hypertension?
Excess weight places a significant burden on your body’s internal
organs. It is well-known that patients who are overweight or obese are
more likely to have diabetes and/or high blood pressure. The good news
is that as you lose weight, these medical conditions will often improve.
It is not uncommon for patients losing weight to see significant
improvements in their diabetes and hypertension. In many cases, a
patient’s medication requirements for these conditions will drop to a
much lower level. As a result of these expected changes, we will help
you closely monitor your glucose levels and blood pressure, so that your
primary care physician can make any necessary reductions in your
medications.
How does the program work at the Princeton Center for Medical Weight
Loss?
At your initial visit, several data points will be taken to help us
choose the most appropriate weight loss plan for you. Using a
specialized scale, a detailed body composition analysis (BCA) will be
performed. Vital signs, weight, and other data points will be gathered.
We will also review in detail your history so that we can identify
sources of your weight gain. We will discuss your current exercise,
nutrition, and dietary habits, perform a focused physical exam, and try
to learn more about your weight loss goals. An EKG may be performed as
well. This information will be reviewed with you in detail, along with
various weight loss plans, so that we can together choose a plan that
best fits your overall situation.
Follow-up visits will include repeat BCA measurements so that we can see
how your body is adapting to your weight loss. Appropriate modifications
to your plan can then be made to help maximize safe and sustainable
weight loss. At each follow up visit, we will also discuss pertinent
points about exercise, nutrition, your relationship with food, and diet
modification.
Once you reach your target weight, we will help you transition to a
Maintenance phase, where your goal is no longer weight loss, but rather
maintaining your newly acquired healthy habits.
What is the science behind weight loss?
The image below is a pictorial representation of one pound of fat. The
quarter is placed to give a sense of scale. In order to lose one pound
of fat, there must be a calorie deficit of 3500 calories. This means
your body must “burn” 3500 calories more thank you ingest to lose one
pound. If you have a 500 calorie deficit daily, you will lose one pound
in a week (7 days x 500 calories = 3500 calories). At the Princeton
Center for Medical Weight Loss we use this basic data to our advantage
and help you lose this weight in a controlled, safe, and sustainable
fashion.
What does the weight loss program cost?
The cost for an initial appointment is $35.00 and includes a complete
body composition analysis (BCA) as well as a consultation with one of
our health care providers. The BCA is performed on a specialized scale
which allows us to see your body percentage of water, muscle, and fat
along with information about your resting metabolism, etc. This analysis
allows us to cater your weight loss plan to your physiological needs. We
will present different weight loss options and programs to you, using
data from the BCA. Weight loss plans vary and are tailored to fit your
specific weight loss goals and budget. Our plans are designed to be
effective and affordable.
It has been estimated that the adults in America spend between $150 and
$250 weekly on food. We would recommend that you monitor your own food
costs for a week, adding up your expenses on food, drinks, meals, and
snacks. Additionally, many patients who are overweight have acquired
costly medical conditions. In addition to their well-known health risks,
conditions like diabetes and hypertension often require expensive
prescription medications, and additional doctor visits to monitor these
medications. In short, being overweight is expensive.
At the Princeton Center for Medical Weight Loss we strive to make weight
loss affordable, and to reduce unnecessary expenses. Costs will vary
since every patient’s plan is individualized; however, we would expect
that your weekly costs will not change significantly, particularly when
our carefully-designed, physician-grade meal plans are utilized.
Are medications a part of the weight loss program?
At the Princeton Center for Medical Weight Loss we create an
individualized weight loss plan for based on each person’s particular
goals, and physiological requirements. In some individuals, the use of
FDA-approved appetite suppressants may be useful, while in others weight
loss goals will be more effectively achieved and maintained without
medication. Once you have been evaluated at your initial visit, you will
be presented with different weight loss plans that may or may not
include medication.
Is exercise a part of the weight loss program?
Effective, long-term, sustainable weight loss requires addressing
several different aspects of weight gain. At the Princeton Center for
Medical Weight Loss we will help you focus on each of these topics.
Diet, exercise, and nutrition are each addressed in a fashion that is
focused and specific to your particular needs, goals, and lifestyle.
Exercise plans start at your baseline; this is your level of activity
when we first meet you. For many, exercise plans are designed to
increase mobility with simple activities such as walking. For others,
exercise plans involve more rigorous training activities. Exercise is a
key to helping you reach your goals; however, it is vital that exercise
plans be realistic and attainable.
What will I eat on the weight loss program?
Weight loss programs at the Princeton Center for Medical Weight Loss are
designed to help you reach your weight loss goals quickly, efficiently,
and safely. There are many different pathways available to reach these
goals. Some plans include FDA-approved nutritional products designed to
maximize your nutrition with minimal calories. Other plans rely on
modification of your existing foods. Most patients will begin with
meal-replacements for a short-time period, and then transition back to
their regular foods but in a more controlled fashion that will allow for
sustainable weight loss.
How long will it take to lose weight?
Every patient has their own particular set of weight loss goals and
parameters. As a consequence, weight loss plans vary from patient to
patient. In general; however, most patients begin to lose weight within
the first two weeks, and continue along a consistent weight loss
trajectory until they reach their target weight.
What happens after I lose weight? Will it just come right back once I
stop the plan?
At the Princeton Center for Medical Weight Loss we help you break
unhealthy food habits in a manner that is safe, effective, and
sustainable. In the Maintenance Phase of the program, we continue to
support you and help you maintain your weight loss achievements through
a focus on healthy living that includes nutrition, exercise, and insight
into the gimmicks and tools that the food industry utilizes to entice
you to overeat. With this preparation, you will be in a good position to
maintain your healthy weight in an enjoyable, long-lasting fashion.