FAQs

Our program is medically supervised and comprehensive to help you lose the excess weight and keep it off while keeping you safe. All aspects of the program are evidence-based on scientific and medical studies. We are specially designed for weight loss and long-term weight management. We offer a personalized program supervised by a physician who is Board Certified in Obesity Medicine and facilitated by support staff professionally trained in weight management and exercise programming. Each aspect of your program is created on an individual basis, and because our team are specialists in the field, we can tailor the program to meet your unique needs. Our program provides education and support needed to help you make and incorporate permanent lifestyle changes you need to sustain the weight loss. We also can utilize special nutritional products for safe, rapid, healthy weight loss. Our program focuses on 4 key components: nutrition, physical activity, behavior change and medical needs.

Each person’s weight loss is different and can be based on which program they select, their gender and level of activity. On our Full Meal Replacement and Protein Sparing Modified Fast programs weight loss of 3-7 pounds a week is common. On our Advanced Healthy Weight Loss Program weight loss of 2-3 pounds a week is common. On our Customized Weight Loss program weight loss will depend on the daily calorie intake but is commonly 1-2 pounds a week. All programs require adherence to the daily meal plan and physical activity to maximize weight loss.

The first thing you do is schedule a free no obligation, consultation so we can determine which program might be best for you and answer any questions you have. An individualized program will then be established for you to help you achieve your weight loss. You will receive weekly support at Synergy and once you reach your weight loss goals we will teach you life-long strategies to help you keep the weight off.

Clinical studies have shown that even 5-10% weight loss can decrease your cholesterol, improve blood sugar control, and decrease blood pressure. Specifically, clinical studies using New Direction meal replacements have shown decreases in total cholesterol and blood pressure, improved glycemic control, reduction in blood pressure and diabetic medications and preferential fat rather than lean weight loss.

The length of participation in the program depends on how much weight you need to lose. During your free, no obligation consultation we can give you an estimate of the duration of your active weight reduction phase once we decide which program is best for you.

In our experience the people who are the most successful are the ones who stay compliant to the program and make a personal commitment to lifestyle change.

No, you do not need to use any meal replacements in your weight loss program if you choose not to. We have programs available that are based on grocery foods without the use of meal replacements.

Yes. Our New Direction meal replacements provide optimal nutrition, health and increased success during weight loss. They help preserve your lean body tissue, help control hunger and produce a greater feeling of fullness. Studies have shown that people who include at least 1 -2 meal replacement daily lose more weight and are more successful in keeping the weight off. Meal replacements integrate core weight loss strategies including portion and calorie control, high protein, structured eating, improved nutrition, simplification of food choices and avoidance of food triggers that can stimulate excessive eating. They increase your adherence and help you stick to your meal plan more closely. Data indicates that restricting food variety is an important strategy in successful weight loss maintenance.

Yes, appetite suppressant drugs may be prescribed by our physician as part of your Comprehensive Medical Weight Management Program if appropriate.

No.

Most people report their hunger decreases or disappears within a few days of starting our programs. Some people report they have difficulty eating all of the food assigned to them daily depending on the program they select.

That depends on the program selected. On the Full Meal Replacement Program, you follow a daily meal plan of 800 calories. On the Protein Sparing Modified Fast you consume 800-900 calories. The Advanced Healthy Weight Loss Program is designed for 900-1200 calories. On the Customized Weight Loss Program your daily meal plan is individualized and based on your resting metabolism testing results.

Our Multidisciplinary Lifestyle Intervention Program includes individual sessions during which you learn sustaining behavior, lifestyle and eating habits. Topics in nutrition, exercise, behavior modification and diabetes are covered. You will learn skills to help you control cravings, cope with temptation and emotional eating, manage stress, prevent relapse, and adopt healthy eating and physical activity behaviors which are vital to you maintaining your weight loss and healthy thinner lifestyle. Our sessions are provided in an individual setting which allow them to be tailored to your specific needs.

We personalize each program to our patient’s needs and goals. Total cost will depend on which program you decide to use. We will be able to give you an estimate of your cost during your free, no obligation consultation. Some aspects of the program may be reimbursable by your insurance based on your coverage.

Our program is medically supervised and many insurance companies do offer some reimbursement for medical weight loss programs especially if you have weight-related medical conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol. Your insurance company may reimburse you for some aspects of the program depending on your coverage. We encourage you to discuss your benefits and coverage with your insurance carrier. We are happy to provide you with a receipt including diagnosis and appropriate treatment codes that you can submit to your insurance company. You may also be able to use your Health Savings Account or Flexible Spending Account.

We accept cash, credit cards, checks, and CareCredit. You may also be able to use your Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account.

Safety is considered an essential component of every weight management program; therefore, our protocol includes a screening process. Screening is performed to determine whether your health would be adversely affected by undertaking any of our programs, whether there is any existing condition or medication which will require monitoring during weight loss, the appropriate weight loss program for you and whether any exercise or diet component of the program would need to be adjusted. Very few people are unable to participate in any of our programs. Some medical conditions that may make weight loss inappropriate for you include pregnancy, heart attack in the last 3 months, metastatic cancer, active inflammatory bowel disease, and actively healing bone fractures.