Weight Loss Medicine

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Weight Loss Medicine

UAB Weight Loss Medicine (WLM) is a medical clinic that helps patients lose weight and keep it off. Our overall goal is to help you live a healthier life. We combine a focus on diet and nutrition with other services, including medical oversight from physicians, FDA-approved medications when appropriate, and group visits. No physician referral is needed for any of our services.

The WLM team includes physicians who are board-certified in obesity medicine as well as internal medicine and endocrinology. We also have a team of registered dietitians, diabetes educators, and nurse practitioners. This comprehensive team approach provides the tools you need to lose weight and maintain a healthier you.

There is not one diet or meal plan that works for everyone, so our providers customize our programs and services to meet your specific needs.

Programs & Services

Ongoing visits with our physicians and nurse practitioners*
Medical oversight is important, especially if you have underlying health conditions. Our providers explore underlying causes of weight gain or lack of weight loss, collaborate with the dietitians to provide optimal nutrition recommendations, and offer guidance on FDA-approved weight-loss medications.
Scheduled individual visits with our dietitians*
Our dietitians have more than 35 combined years of weight loss counseling experience. They help ensure that you are getting proper nutrition and identify ways to adjust your lifestyle for improved health and weight loss. We’ve worked hard with insurance companies to expand coverage for these visits for most patients.
OPTIFAST**
For those who want to lose weight quickly, the OPTIFAST meal-replacement program has consistently proven successful since its creation in the early 1970s. The program uses a full meal replacement plan that transitions to self-prepared “everyday” meals, together with comprehensive patient education and support.
Jumpstart Program
This 12-week program combines meal-replacement shakes and bars with one meal per day, along with bi-weekly group sessions with our dietitians. We created the Jumpstart Program several years ago and continue to be amazed at the success our patients have when provided with the structure and guidance this program offers. Most of our patients lose 24-36 pounds during the 12-week program, depending on starting weight.
Diabetes Prevention Program**
Our program is fully accredited by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and offers a proven, research-based approach to help people diagnosed with pre-diabetes prevent their condition from developing into full diabetes. To qualify, you must be at least 18 years old and have a body mass index (BMI) greater than 24. The program is also open to those at high risk for pre-diabetes or with a history of gestational diabetes.

Your Initial Assessment Includes*

Medical evaluation by a health care provider trained in obesity medicine
Assessment of medical conditions and/or medications that may affect weight
Body composition testing (muscle mass vs. fat mass)
Resting metabolic rate testing (number of calories your body burns at rest)
Testing for diabetes and pre-diabetes (finger-stick blood test)
Nutrition consultation with a registered dietitian
Creation of a customized meal plan

Other Services

Individual visits to review personalized meal plans
Individual and group sessions with dietitians
Online option for bi-weekly sessions
Telehealth consultations available

*All testing and visits with physicians, nurse practitioners, and dietitians are billed to insurance. Coverage for dietitian visits varies. Please ask your insurance company if you have coverage for “medical nutrition therapy” (codes 97802 and 97803).

**These programs have fees associated with them, to cover the cost of meal replacement products and/or group session