1. How often
do I return to the clinic to have my weight checked?
After your first visit you will choose your return schedule. Some patients
want to be checked every week to keep their motivation up. Others are more
comfortable being seen in the clinic on a monthly basis or every two weeks.
Whichever schedule you choose we will work with you to achieve the results
you want. 2.
What is the average cost of the program?
The initial start-up fee for new patients is $89. This includes your first
appointment evaluation as well as one month’s supply of our basic medication
to see if it works well for you. Note: The
first payment must be paid by cash, credit or debit card. Subsequent visits
may be paid by check. There is a
$15 fee for returned checks.
The cost of subsequent
visits depends on two points—which of the
available medications you decide to use, and how much of that particular
medicine you need in order for it to be effective. The cost of the medication
at each visit is normally combined with the office call fee to give you
one figure and is based on a monthly visit schedule. On average that
figure varies between $85 - $98 per month. However, the fee can be prorated
for visits that occur on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, if you decide that
either of those schedules is preferred. One of the differences between the inshape program and other weight loss programs is that after your first month on the program your cost is reduced by one dollar per pound of weight lost per month to a maximum of $5 each month!
At times patients
may choose to interrupt their program because of illness, lack of finances,
vacations, etc. If you have not been seen at the clinic in more than 6 years you will be considered a “new” patient and will be charged the initial visit fee again since your chart information will have been retired. However, if it has been between 1-6 years you will only be charged a $25 restart fee to cover updating your chart information.
3.
What happens on my first visit to the Inshape Medical Clinic?
On your first visit with us you will be given forms to complete which give
the doctor the pertinent information about your health history, any medications
you are taking and your exercise and eating habits. You will then be seen
by the physician who will evaluate your information, check to make sure any
medicines you are taking will not interfere with the weight loss medications
and check your blood pressure, heart and lungs. At this time you will also
review the details of your program with the doctor including your eating
pattern, the suggested foods and your exercise program. If there are no problems
you will then be started on the medication which helps reduce your appetite
and be given an appointment to return so that your response to the medicine
can be evaluated.
4.
What is the average monthly weight loss?
There is no average weight loss. The amount of weight you lose will depend
on several factors including your eating pattern, the amount of exercise
you do, your hours of work and the amount of weight you want to lose. The
doctor will work with you to achieve the maximum weight loss for you.
5.
What are your locations and hours of operation?
There are three inshape Medical Clinics: Beaumont, Loma Linda and Victorville.
6.
What medicines do you use for weight loss?
The primary medicines are anorectic medicines which reduce the feeling of hunger.
These are quite familiar to many patients and consist of phentermine, phendimetrazine
and diethylpropion. Some
patients also find that injections of vitamin B12 help to give them increased
endurance or energy. This vitamin is also available.
7.
Are there diets available from your clinic to help guide my eating?
Yes. Although most of our patients do not alter the kinds of foods they normally
consume while on the program, we do have diets for use by our patients who
desire a more structured eating pattern. Incidentally, using our program
along with another program such as Weight Watchers greatly increases your
chances of success in losing weight and keeping it off.
8.
Do you have to exercise with the inshape Medical Clinic program?
Exercise is definitely advised as a means of reducing weight, reducing stress
and keeping the muscles toned. It is also important as an aid in keeping
the excess pounds off. It is not necessary to use a commercial aerobic programs,
but a regular consistent exercise program that goes along with your age and
physical status will be a definite asset.
We can help you develop such a program.
9.
Do you need an appointment in order to be seen?
For your initial visit an appointment is definitely necessary. This allows
the physician to take his time in evaluating your health status and working
with you in outlining the specifics of the program. It also gives you an
opportunity to ask any questions you may have about the program. After the
initial visit you may make appointments or drop in whenever the clinic is
open. Of course, if you do decide to drop in you may have to wait a few moments
for those who have made appointments or whoever is next in line. The usual
wait time is less than 15 minutes.
10.
Are any of the medicines used in the program dangerous?
Most people who try to lose weight on their own use so-called “over the
counter products” (OTC). Unfortunately, these products are not routinely
screened by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This occurs because if
a marketer of a product indicates on the label that the product is not used
to diagnose or treat a disease condition the FDA has limited control over it.
There has been much written and said recently about a couple of these products,
most recently about a chemical called ephedra which is a potent heart stimulant.
The use of this product in OTC medications has caused strokes, heart disease
and death in some users. It is important to remember that such compounds are
modified and used safely in regular medical practice under the supervision
of qualified physicians. The problem comes when they are added to other products
by manufacturers trying to produce rapid weight loss in consumers and avoid
scrutiny by the FDA. None of the medicines used in the Inshape Medical Clinic
contain any of these “dangerous” products.
However, it is important to remember that all medications (even aspirin)
have side effects. These effects can be as slight as a mild skin rash
or as severe as breathing problems and allergic reactions causing death.
The medicines used in the Inshape Medical Clinic for reducing appetite
have a long history of safe use in the hands of qualified physicians.
It is part of the assurance you have in coming to this clinic that a
qualified physician is overseeing your program and is available for questions
or problems that may arise. You are carefully monitored each month and
the effect of the medicine on your body and mind are considered at each
visit. It is part of the philosophy of Dr. Neil to give the best medical
care possible using the safest medicines available to help his patients
achieve their weight loss goals.
11. What
is a Medical Program for Losing Weight?
There are several kinds of weight loss programs available for the general
public.
• Some of the most popular programs only deal with dieting by using special
foods prepared by the organization and advice given by inadequately trained
helpers. After a while these foods tend to become boring and are very
expensive.
• Other programs combine dieting with exercise but do not prescribe medications.
They are of limited value because of the amount of self-denial they involve.
• Still others do not use any dietary counseling nor do they advise exercise
but depend strictly on the use of medications. These approaches are not
sufficient to keep the weight off.
• The most drastic programs are involve surgery to reduce the size of the
stomach which limits the amount of a food a person is able to eat (these
are available only for the severely obese).
12. Do I have to be seen at the same Inshape clinic once I am a patient?
You will be registered at the clinic where you are seen on your fist visit. That means your records will be kept at that clinic location. If you wish to have your records permanently moved one of the other clinics that can be arranged by calling your regular office. If, however, you want to visit a clinic other than where you are registered you will need to call your regular clinic and leave a message indicating where you will be coming and when. You must also bring your last bottle of medicine at that visit. Doing so will allow the doctor to accurately identify which medicine you are using and the dose and date of dispensing.
The Inshape Medical Clinic is a medical program which combines medicines
specifically designed to reduce the appetite with exercise, psychological
support and learning how to eat properly to not only reduce weight, but
also to keep it off. Combining these approaches allows the patient to
reduce the intake of food while he or she is learning new eating and
lifestyle habits.
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