Program Description
Different People, Different Needs, Different Programs
Sequoia Hospital has provided comprehensive weight management services since 1989. Our programs include:
- An initial evaluation of your health and weight management needs, including a health history and medical screening, a review of your weight management history, and establishment of healthy lifestyle and weight loss goals.
- Weekly medical monitoring Individual nutrition and activity consultations
- Weekly group meetings covering the skills needed to build a healthy lifestyle including:
Optimal Choices
The OPTIFAST® Program
1. Plan OPTIFAST:
Active Weight Loss Phase (weeks 1 - 12)
You will consume the OPTIFAST meal replacement formulas instead of your typical foods so you do not have to worry about counting calories
Active Weight Loss Phase (weeks 13 - 24)
You will consume the OPTIFAST meal replacement formulas and a self-prepared entrée
Transition Phase (weeks 25 - 30)
You will gradually learn how to add more self-prepared foods back into your diet while continuing with lifestyle change education
Ongoing Weight Management (week 31 and beyond)
You can participate in ongoing classes and support sessions to help manage your weight in the future
Plan OPTITRIM:
Active Weight Loss Phase (weeks 1 - 24)
You will consume the OPTIFAST meal replacement formulas instead of your typical foods and a self-prepared entrée
Transition Phase (weeks 25 - 30)
You will gradually learn how to add more self-prepared foods back into your diet while continuing with lifestyle change education
Ongoing Weight Management (weeks 31 and beyond)
You can participate in ongoing classes and support sessions to help manage your weight in the future
2. You will attend weekly group classes that provide social support, nutrition education, behavioral change and suggestions for adhering to the program.
3. You will meet with the physician and have lab values checked at scheduled intervals. Weight and blood pressure are monitored weekly.
Am I a Candidate?
BMI (Body Mass Index) uses your height and weight values to determine whether you are at risk for weight-related health programs. The lower BMI, the lower your risk for health problems. The OPTIFAST® Program is designed to treat people with a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30. The OPTIFAST® Program may also be appropriate for individuals with a BMI of 25 to 29.9 who have other medical problems caused by their weight. The following questions will help you determine your BMI and, based on this, determine whether treatment through an OPTIFAST® Program would be an appropriate option for you to discuss with your physician.
Contradications
- Patients will not be admitted into the OPTIFAST® Program if they have had:
- Recent myocardial infarction (3-6 months).
- History of cerebral vascular accident (stroke).
- Diabetes mellitus with a history of severe ketoacidosis.
- Chronic use of steroids, greater than 20mg daily.
- Bleeding peptic ulcer (unless there is radiological evidence of healing 6 months prior to entry).
- A psychiatric history that includes suicide attempts.
- Active thrombophlebitis (or any other condition where decreased blood volume would put the patient at risk).
In addition, the program will not accept patients who are pregnant, and will remove patients from active treatment at the first suspicion of pregnancy.
Contradications to the 800 Calorie Diet
Patients with the following conditions may be appropriate for the OPTIFAST 800 Program, based on the physician's judgement.
- History of transient ischemic attack.
- History of thrombophlebitis.
- Patients on lithium carbonate.
- Occupational hazards (any job requiring a person to be alert at all times, e.g., surgeons, pilots, bus drivers, truck drivers, window washers).
- History of liver or kidney disease.
- Use of drugs with potent gastrointestinal side effects, e.g., alkabutazolidin.
Patients with Psychiatric History
All patients taking psychotropic drugs will require a letter from their psychiatrist, as well as their primary care physician. Patients on certain drugs may require extra monitoring and blood tests. These guidelines should be followed:
- The patient's personal psychiatrist should agree to his or her participation in the program.
- Psychiatric condition should be stable, i.e., not in crisis.
- Patient should be familiar and comfortable with side effects of psychotropic medication.
Will I Be Successful?
What is your definition of success? When considering this, think not only of pounds lost, but also of the possibility of becoming healthier both physically and emotionally. Experts agree that maintaining weight losses of as little as 5-10% of initial body weight can lead to major health benefits. Without treatment, research shows the average obese person typically gains 2% of their body weight each year.
Many people report experiencing a higher quality of life and greatly improved health status after losing weight. Self-esteem and physical activity can also increase. A reduction in fatigue, high blood pressure, blood cholesterol, blood sugar, and joint-related problems are not uncommon with weight loss.
- At 2 years, 50% maintained most of their weight loss and 75% maintained at least some of their weight loss.
- At 5 years, 75% maintained some of their weight loss and 50% maintained medically significant weight loss (at least 5% less than starting weight).
