Below you'll find answers to some of the most commonly asked questions at the Center for Medical Weight Loss. If you don't see your question here, e-mail a doctor with your question, or locate a center near you and give us a call. We'll be happy to help.

Top 10 CMWL FAQ's

Does my insurance cover any of the weight loss program's cost?

How much does the program cost?

Do I have to be extremely overweight to consider The Center for Medical Weight Loss (CMWL)? What if I only need to lose 10-15 pounds?

Are your weight loss programs safe if I have diabetes or any other medical conditions?

How many weight loss programs do you have?

How long do I have to stay on any of these weight loss programs?

How often do I have to visit a CMWL weight loss center?

What is obesity?

What is a bariatrician?

1. Does my insurance cover any of the weight loss program's cost?

   Insurance coverage is variable. First, it depends on which particular weight loss program is recommended for your specific needs. It can also depend on how much weight you have to lose. And, finally, it depends on the type of insurance coverage you have. When you come in for your initial consultation, your doctor will help you determine which program costs may be covered when you lose weight.

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2. How much does the program cost?

   Again, costs vary depending on the weight loss program, the amount of weight loss involved, your medical diagnosis, and your insurance coverage. Call toll-free at 1-800-MD-BE-THIN to find out how affordable it is to get started. We will be happy to discuss fees, program costs, and other critical program facts during your consultation at any CMWL weight loss center.

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3. Do I have to be extremely overweight to consider The Center for Medical Weight Loss (CMWL)? What if I only need to lose 10-15 pounds?

   Programs at CMWL are not simply for people who are extremely overweight – they're for anyone who is unhappy or feels unhealthy due to their weight. We will tell you if you don't need to lose weight or if you don't qualify for CMWL weight loss programs for any reason. Our first priority is your overall health and well-being.

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4. Are your weight loss programs safe if I have diabetes or any other medical conditions?

   Not only are The Center for Medical Weight Loss (CMWL) programs safe for people with diabetes, hypertension, and other medical problems, they are helpful in controlling any further complications that result from these diseases. More than this, CMWL weight loss programs can help alleviate many of the other conditions that result from obesity, including arthritis, coronary artery disease, sleep apnea, persistent lymphedema, lower extremity edema, hypertension, and high cholesterol.

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5. How many weight loss programs do you have?

   The Center for Medical Weight Loss offers three basic weight loss program options. Each weight loss program is individualized based on your needs and requirements and includes personal counseling and a recommendation for exercise.

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6. How long do I have to stay on any of these weight loss programs?

   The length of time you may stay on any weight loss program depends on which program you are on, how much weight you need to lose and - most importantly - how motivated you are. As you know, weight loss is not about a "quick fix." When you move from the initial phase of any weight loss program to maintenance phases, the goal is to establish healthy eating habits you can follow throughout your life. The programs at The Center for Medical Weight Loss are comprehensive and include behavior modification and counseling, as well as exercise recommendations created to help you achieve on-going success.

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7. How often do I have to visit a CMWL weight loss center?

   Again, it depends on the weight loss program requirements. Initial programs usually require a visit every one to two weeks. The Prescription Drug Program generally requires a monthly visit. The Bariatric Surgery Program is variable and will be discussed on an individual basis.

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8. What is obesity?

   Obesity used to be understood in fairly simple terms: excess body weight resulting from eating too much and exercising too little, due in large part to a lack of willpower or self-restraint. Fortunately for the millions of American adults who are overweight, obesity is now regarded as a chronic medical disease with serious health implications caused by a complex set of factors.

   Recognized since 1985 as a chronic disease, obesity is the second leading cause of preventable death, exceeded only by cigarette smoking. Obesity has been established as a major risk factor for hypertension, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus and some cancers in both men and women. Obesity affects 58 million people across the nation and its prevalence is increasing. Approximately one-third of adults are estimated to be obese.

   Obesity results from a complex interaction of genetic, behavioral and environmental factors causing an imbalance between energy intake and energy expenditure. According to the National Institutes of Health, an increase in body weight of 20 percent or more above desirable weight is the point at which excess weight becomes an established health hazard. Lower levels of excess weight can also constitute a health risk, particularly in the presence of other disorders like diabetes, hypertension and heart disease

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9. What is a bariatrician?

   A bariatrician is a licensed physician (Doctor of Medicine [MD] or Doctor of Osteopathy [DO]) who, as a member of the American Society of Bariatric Physicians (ASBP), has received special training in bariatric medicine; the medical treatment of overweight and obese individuals, and its associated conditions. Bariatricians address the obese patient with a comprehensive program of diet, nutrition, exercise, lifestyle changes and, when indicated, the prescription of appetite suppressants and other appropriate medications. (The word bariatric stems from the Greek word barros, which translates as heavy or large.)

   While any licensed physician can offer a medical weight loss program to patients, members of the ASBP have been exposed, through an extensive continuing medical education program, to specialized knowledge, tools and techniques to enable them to design personalized medical weight loss programs tailored to the needs of individual patients and modify the programs, if needed, as the treatment progresses. ASBP members are uniquely equipped to treat overweight and obesity and associated conditions.

   A physician-supervised medical weight loss program may be the safest and wisest way to lose weight and maintain the loss. Overweight and obesity are frequently accompanied by other medical conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cancer and others. A bariatric physician is trained to detect and treat these conditions, which might go undetected and untreated in a non-medical weight loss program.

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