Our program of physician-assisted (non-surgical) weight loss is aimed at achieving long-term weight loss. It is a complex process of medical, nutritional, psychological, and lifestyle change. These changes require the development of new skills to help one replace less desirable habits with healthier ones. Fundamental behavior and dietary change, not just short-term food sacrifice, is required for lasting weight loss success.
The staff of Tufts Medical Center's Obesity Consultation Center reviews each patient's understanding of factors that have made weight loss or weight maintenance difficult in the past, and all patients are offered a comprehensive, individual and/or group education and support program.
Behavioral component: Stress management, the development of coping skills, exercise readiness, general problem-solving strategies and relapse prevention are all integrated into the treatment plan. These techniques and skills help patients develop a foundation of knowledge on which to base lifestyle changes and which serve as the basis for long-term weight control. A support group led by a psychologist provides a structured environment in which to practice new skills for achieving weight loss.
Nutrition Component: Our food choices are often determined by factors such as childhood habits, time constraints, and the media. By working with behavior management techniques and nutritional guidance, you can learn to make better food choices at social, family and professional events.
Food is one of life’s necessities. When struggling with weight issues, it often becomes both friend and foe – you can’t live without it, and you’re having a problem living with it. Our food choices are often determined by factors such as childhood habits, time constraints, and the media. By working with behavior management techniques and nutritional guidance, you can learn to make food better choices at social, family, and professional events.
Nutritionists at the OCC work individually with patients to monitor and assess food choices, identify trigger foods and situations, and problem-solve ways to achieve healthier diets. Individualized meal plans are patient driven. We will integrate your lifestyle, likes, and dislikes to develop plans and strategies to promote healthier food selections no matter what type of plan you desire. We work at increasing your nutrition knowledge, exploring available products, and promoting variety of choice.
We also offer liquid diet programs for people who feel that it may be easier for them to attain their weight loss goals with less food choices.
Physical Activity Component: Lifestyle changes to increase the amount of daily physical activity are essential to stimulating weight loss, metabolism and maintenance. The questions “how much physical activity is enough?” and “what type of physical activity should I be doing?” are frequently asked. Your level of fitness will be assessed by our exercise physiologist so that we can prescribe an individually tailored activity plan, incorporating muscular strength and endurance, cardiovascular fitness, and flexibility.
Medical: Where desirable, medications may be prescribed as an adjunct to the behavioral and nutritional programs to help with appetite control. You may discuss this option when you meet with one of our internists.
Click here to download our self-monitoring logs.
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