Why Start a Weight Management Program?
Obesity is not a simple problem of will power or self-control but a complex disorder involving appetite regulation and energy metabolism that is associated with a variety of other conditions. Genetic, metabolic, biochemical, cultural and psychosocial factors contribute to obesity.
“During 2005-2006 34% of adults aged 20 or older were obese and 17.4% of young people aged 12-19 years were overweight. In 2000, the estimated annual cost of obesity in the United States was $117 billion.” – Center for Disease Control
Most of our chronic health challenges, such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, and cardiovascular disease are caused in large part by our everyday behaviors-what we eat, our activity level, and how we handle stress. Old habits die hard and changing the way you’ve done things for years in no easy task.
Whether your goal is to lose weight, or address a serious health concern, the Clarkston Medical Group Weight Management Program provides you with the tools and support you need to implement and stick with lifestyle changes.
What Conditions Benefit from Weight Loss?
- Asthma
- Diabetes
- Digestive Disorders
- Heart Disease
- High Blood Pressure
- High Cholesterol
- Low Back Pain
- Osteoarthritis
- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
- Sleep Apnea
- Weight Problems
Our Program
Congratulations on your interest in our Weight Management Program!
The physicians at Clarkston Medical Group are committed to helping patients improve and manage their health. Your physician knows that losing weight and keeping it off can be challenging, but our structured weight management program is the first step to building a foundation for success.
Our program includes diet modifications, exercise programs, targeted nutritional supplements, and other lifestyle changes, which will help you take control of your health and have you looking and feeling better than you have in years.
Permanent Weight Loss and Wellness
The Clarkston Medical Group Weight Management staff will look for factors that may have made it difficult for you to lose weight in the past and help you overcome those factors.
We’ll start with a comprehensive physical exam and laboratory studies to rule out any conditions that may have significant effects on weight. Because many medications are linked with weight gain, we’ll also evaluate your drug regimen. Sleep apnea and other health challenges that contribute to weight problems will also be ruled out.
Diagnosing and correcting these underlying factors will not only facilitate weight loss but also make a significant difference in how you feel today and for years to come.
A Lifestyle Change, Not a Diet
Our program combines the talents of many people (including you!) to provide a personalized weight loss experience. The physician assistant will regularly monitor your health status and help you learn more about eating right, adapting to higher physical activity levels, managing stress, and many other interesting topics. Fellow participants will share insights and inspirations in a group setting to help you understand your own experiences. You and your support team will work together to help you adopt healthy habits that will aid in your ongoing weight management efforts.
Nutritional supplements, medical foods, and of course, exercise, are other integral parts of the program - they will help you reach your goals faster and engender overall health. We also offer Body Composition testing as an additional tool to track your weight loss progress.
Meal Replacements
The Clarkston Medical Group Weight Management Program utilizes meal replacements through OPTIFAST® to help patients optimize their health and weight loss goals.
OPTIFAST is a comprehensive weight management program that combines lifestyle education and medical monitoring with a great-tasting meal replacement.
Unlike other weight loss programs or products, the OPTIFAST program treats the whole person, not just the weight. Through comprehensive lifestyle education and medical monitoring, the OPTIFAST Program has been clinically proven to help individuals lose weight and keep it off.
Your Partner in Health
Support and follow up are of utmost importance, especially during the initial stages of a lifestyle change program. You will have regular appointments to monitor your progress and provide further instruction and inspiration.
Group sessions provide the resources and tools to show you how to integrate weight management information into your new lifestyle. Our personal goals include:
- Helping you recognize the factors that contribute to long-term weight management
- Determining the personal advantages and disadvantages of managing your weight
- Recognizing the benefits of participating in a formal weight management program
- Identifying ways to eat with others while adhering to your dietary prescription
Ensuring success means coordinating your goals with the expertise of highly-trained professionals. We are dedicated to helping you obtain important skills that have been associated with long-term weight loss success. These include internalizing motivation, making positive changes, developing coping skills, increasing physical activity, and helping you develop a positive support system.
Weight Management Forms
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Contact Us for More Info:
Director: Samantha Myers, PA-C
248-625-2621, ext. 8071
Coordinator: Tracy Schleben, RN
248-625-2621, ext.8140