• Meal plan designed for you (to be modified when needed)
  1. Whole foods plan that is calorie and carb controlled
  2. Intermittent fasting
  3. Partial meal replacement plans
• Metabolic testing
• Dietary education and support
• Behavioral therapy and modification
• Weight loss medications
• Referral to other specialists as needed
• Monthly visits to help keep you accountable
• Long-term follow up for long-term success

What are the requirements to join the Medical Weight Management program?

You must be at least 18 years old to join the Medical Weight Management program and be able to attend the follow-up appointments. Because of this, those who travel out of state in the winter are not recommended to join the Medical Weight Management program at this time. Patients must also not be pregnant or nursing. If you have a history of alcohol or drug abuse, we require 12 months of sobriety and active participation in a recovery program.

What is CRMC’s Medical Weight Management Program? How does it differ from their surgical program?

Medical Weight Management is a medically supervised weight loss program. Weight loss is achieved without surgery. We have a comprehensive program addressing all factors that affect our ability to lose weight and that affect our ability to maintain weight loss. 

The field of Bariatric Medicine has come a long way in the last 20 years. We provide a lot of education as to the complex interaction of various hormones, stress, and psychological factors that affect our weight. You may see that there will be some “unlearning” of information regarding diet and nutrition in the past that has contributed to weight gain.

Do I need a referral from my doctor?

You do not need a referral from your doctor. If we see you as a self-referral, we will ask your permission to keep your doctor informed of what we are doing and the progress you are making.

Will Medical Weight Management services (with a physician/ advanced practice provider) be covered by my insurance?

Most insurances cover weight management services if you have a BMI > 30 or a BMI > 27 with co-morbidities such as high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, etc., that can be improved by weight loss.

Medicare and Medical Assistance both cover weight management services.

It may be best, however, to check with your insurance.

My insurance does not cover dietitian visits. Are these required?

Data shows us that regular visits with a dietitian (health coach) makes patients more successful with weight loss. These visits are not required but are recommended. We do have a cash pay option to see a dietician for patients who do not have insurance coverage.

How much weight will I lose?

Weight loss is based on a percentage of your body weight. Most patients working with us lose about 20% of their weight (e.g., if weighing 200 lbs., 20% would be 40 lbs.). Some patients may only lose 10% but others lose 30-35% of their weight (e.g., if 200 lbs., 10% would be 20 lbs. and 30%, 60 lbs.).  Patients undergoing weight loss by surgery can lose up to 50% of their weight but studies show that by five years, they have gained some of the weight back and their weight loss ends up being 20-25%, similar to medical weight management.

Are weight loss medications used?

Weight loss medications are available but are not required. The medications available will be reviewed at your first consult visit.

Will I have to exercise to lose weight?

Exercise is not required to lose weight, but it is required to maintain weight loss. Patients who do not exercise will regain the weight they have lost over time. However, the data tells us that if patients can walk, they are able to maintain weight loss.  The role of exercise will be discussed at the initial consult visit.

How frequently will I be seen?

We recommend being seen monthly by the physician during active weight management (which is usually 6-12 months).  Our data shows us that patients also seeing a dietitian/health coach monthly are the most successful with weight loss. Some of these visits can be done remotely which can help those with busy schedules.

I have lost weight before and regained it. How can CRMCs program help me prevent weight regain?

Obesity is a disease, not a choice. We know that long-term accountability and follow up is needed for patients to have sustained weight loss.  Our goal is to follow you for 3-5 years AFTER you have lost weight to ensure you are maintaining weight loss. If you start to regain weight, our goal is to help you get back on track before 5 lbs. becomes 50 lbs.

What are common barriers to losing weight?

Common barriers are:

1. A very busy schedule making it challenging to get to appointments and to make eating healthy food a priority
2. Poor sleep
3. Excessive stress and lack of family support
4. Not exercising
5. Craving sweets and starches

I don’t like vegetables. Will I be able to lose weight if I don’t eat vegetables?

Vegetables are not as important as we once thought they were. You can lose weight while eating very few vegetables.

What is insulin resistance and why is it important?

Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar. One of insulin’s main jobs is get sugar out of the blood stream. If that sugar or energy is not used right away, insulin shuttles it into fat cells for later use. For fat cells to release fat (which is what we want to do when losing weight), we must have low insulin levels. As we gain weight and our fat cells enlarge, these cells no longer respond normally to insulin. The cells are “resistant” to the effects of insulin. Our bodies respond by making more insulin to keep our blood sugar in the normal range (that is to prevent diabetes).  The higher the insulin levels, the harder it is to lose weight.

As part of your evaluation with us, we will check a fasting insulin level--an elevated fasting insulin level does confirm insulin resistance. The good news is that changing how we eat lowers insulin resistance (actually reversing it) making it easier to lose weight.

I have Type 2 diabetes. I have heard that Type 2 diabetes can be reversed with weight loss and lifestyle change. Is this true?

Yes, Type 2 diabetes can be reversed in many patients, even those who are on insulin and it can happen as soon as six months.

I have a very busy life. How will I have time for CRMC’s program?

Losing weight and making lifestyle changes is a huge commitment of time and energy. Virtually everyone wants to lose weight but not everyone is prepared to make the needed changes to be successful at any given time. But you are worth it!  We can do remote visits for many patients which can help with busy schedules.

I have had gastric bypass surgery but have regained weight. Can CRMC’s program help me?

Surgery for weight loss is a tool to help patients lose weight.  Because obesity is a disease, we can and do see weight regain after gastric bypass or the sleeve procedure.  We have experience working with these patients and they are often very successful at losing weight.

I’ve heard the term “self-care.” What does this mean exactly?

“Self-care” is a newer concept of making your own care a priority. Many of us tend to be “care givers” and neglect our own needs. We need healthy food, adequate sleep, downtime for relaxation, and regular exercise to be at our best and to be able to help others. Self-care allows us to care for ourselves without feeling guilty about taking the needed time to have a healthy lifestyle.

I have a “sweet tooth.” How can I lose weight?

Very few of us are immune to the effects of sweets and starches. We are seeing that people can crave these processed foods and can be quite irritable if they suddenly stop eating them. Studies are confirming that these food (starches and sweets that are usually highly processed) are habit forming. Studies in rats have shown that Oreo cookies are more addictive than heroine or cocaine! The very stubborn “sweet tooth” can totally undermine losing weight or cause weight regain. We do have strategies to help.

How do I get started?

Clicking on the “Get started” link will take you to some forms that need to be completed. Please print these, fill them out and mail them to us at:  CRMC Medical Weight Management, 320 E. Main St., Crosby, MN  56441. Once we have received the forms, we will contact you about setting up your initial consult visit.