Welcome to our comprehensive weight management program, where science meets compassionate care!
Currently, Community Care Weight Management is for patients referred into the program by their Community Care Physicians’ provider. Our multidisciplinary team, including providers, dietitians, behavioral health experts, and pharmacists, collaborate seamlessly to offer you a holistic approach to weight management.
Patients referred into our program receive personalized support tailored to your unique needs. Our team works hand in hand to guide you through lifestyle modifications, incorporating evidence-based practices for sustainable results. When deemed necessary and in adherence to FDA guidelines, our experienced pharmacists and providers may introduce medications as part of your weight management strategy.
Embark on your journey to a healthier you with a program that prioritizes your well-being and leverages the expertise of a diverse team. Your path to sustainable weight loss starts here!
The Role of Behavioral Health
Behavioral health plays a critical role in weight management by focusing on existing, maladaptive habits and strategically working to replace them with adaptive habits in a progressive manner. As part of our role, each patient will be scheduled for an initial assessment with our behavioral health provider. The purpose of this assessment is to assist your medical provider in your treatment by exploring any behaviors or barriers to your success and then providing you with one-on-one psychoeducation and skill building that will provide interventions to better optimize healthy lifestyle choices that promote weight loss and improve overall quality of life. From there, you are free to continue with BH if you wish.
Nutrition is most commonly the most underrated component to long term health and wellness.
In a world that promotes convenience foods, oversized portions and limited time for exercise, at Community Care we try to assist in developing new habits to counteract this norm. Adequate nutrition and a well-balanced diet are an essential part of anyone’s weight loss journey. Our Dietitians focus on working with you, your preferences, and your lifestyle to develop recipes, a meal plan, exercise regimen and lifestyle changes that can positively impact not only you, but your entire family. We start with the basics of nutrition in a group class or 1-on-1 session, to create attainable goals. Together, at each visit thereafter we work on building upon these dietary and lifestyle changes, building your confidence in decision making and changing your diet one step at a time. Our goal is not to fit you into a “diet” mold but to develop changes and modifications to your diet that you can sustain long term to achieve your weight loss goals and MAINTAIN them.
Medications for Weight Loss
Our team will work with each patient and review your medical history, test results, and lifestyle and determine if medication use is appropriate. These medications are not a quick fix; they are used under a provider’s supervision and are only for eligible patients who need them to assist in weight loss.
Wegovy® , Saxenda® and Zepbound® for Weight Loss
GLPs (glucagon-like peptide 1 agonists) for weight loss include the medications Wegovy® , Saxenda® and Zepbound®. These medications require slow dose increases, starting at the lowest dose (or “starter dose”), increasing until the higher maintenance doses are reached.
Other GLP-1 medications, such as Ozempic®, Mounjaro®, Victoza®, and Trulicity®, are only approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Some health insurance companies have placed restrictions on these medications to make sure they are used only for treatment of type 2 diabetes. If used for obesity or weight loss, plans can stop paying for or deny this off-label use. Prescribing must be consistent with their FDA-approved indication, type 2 diabetes, and therefore cannot be prescribed “off-label” for weight loss.
The science behind GLP medications for weight loss
Our pharmacy team published the results of a study with impressive results. They recently published a study on GLP-1 agonists (such as Saxenda, Wegovy, etc.) that have become very popular in the media and requested by many patients across our practices for weight management. However, these agents carry benefits and risks that must be evaluated before and monitored throughout use. The study’s objective was to evaluate the clinical and financial impact of a pharmacist-directed weight management service utilizing GLP-1 receptor agonists in a family practice setting. The impressive conclusion was that implementing a pharmacist-led weight management clinic in 2 family medicine offices resulted in a significant reduction in body weight and total costs to the healthcare system compared to patients receiving weight management services from their primary care physician alone. The medication we use in the program has been shown to slow your stomach from emptying and helps reduce the amount of food you eat. Want to geek out? Here is a link to view the abstract.
Get Started Today
Take the first step towards a healthier, happier you by exploring the qualifications necessary for this program.