If I learned the nutritional guidelines for weight loss at my first visit, why do I need to keep coming back?

The success of independent weight management after formal weight loss programs end unfortunately is low.^1,2 Studies have shown that patients in treatment longer than 6 months tend to see greater weight loss success compared to those in treatment less than 6 months.³ The American Medical Association now recognizes obesity as a chronic disease⁴, and at Medical Weight Loss Specialists of Bismarck, we strongly believe chronic disease should be treated with chronic clinical care.

Most importantly, follow-up visits are used to track weight loss to make sure you are losing weight in a safe and healthy manner. We not only track your weight, but also monitor blood pressure, biometric measurements, body composition, and laboratory blood results. At every visit, we continue to build on the nutritional education provided in your first visit to increase your knowledge of nutrition and give you more tools to successfully lose weight and also maintain that weight loss.

Follow-up visits are also crucial in managing any existing medications or weight loss medications used as part of our program. Many patients are able to decrease the amount or even eliminate some current medications they are taking. Most common are medications for managing conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. If you are utilizing any of the medications specific to our program, our Nurse Practitioner uses follow-up visits to monitor these as well and make any changes if necessary.

This combination of individualized weight loss plans at MWLS of Bismarck, along with scheduled follow-up visits, is designed to give you the knowledge and know-how needed for maximum weight loss and successful maintenance. To learn more about our program or to schedule your first appointment, call 701-354-0964 or contact us online.

1. Jeffery RW, Drewnowski A, Epstein LH, Stunkard AJ, Wilson GT, Wing RR, Hill DR. Long-term maintenance of weight loss: current status. Heal Psychol. 2000;19:5–16.

2. Wing RR, Phelan S. Long-term weight loss maintenance. Am J Clin Nutr. 2005;82(1 Suppl):222S–5S.

3. Jiandani, D., Wharton, S., Rotondi, M., Ardern, C., Kuk, J. Predictors of early attrition and successful weight loss in patients attending an obesity management program. BMC Obesity. 2016; 3:14.44.

4. Pollack A. A.M.A. Recognizes obesity as a disease. [Internet]. 2013 [cited 2017 Feb 1]. Available from: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/19/business/ama-recognizes-obesity-as-a-disease.html.