Frequently Asked Questions / FAQs
Bariatric Medicine is a medical, non-surgical specialty that focuses on the treatment of obesity and obesity related medical conditions. There are several medical factors (Nutritional, Metabolic, Behavioral and Psychological) that can lead you to unhealthy weight gain. Identifying, understanding and properly treating these factors are critical to achieving and maintaining healthy weight loss. Dr. Obi Chukwuocha is a board certified Medical Bariatrician (Medical Weight Loss Specialist) who prescribes a safe, proven and effective, non-surgical and individualized weight loss plan based on your medical history and weight loss goals.
A true board certified Medical Bariatrician is one who has obtained extra medical training, passed a written board examination by the ABOM (American Board of Obesity Medicine) in addition to a medical clinic review (of his/her bariatric clinic) by the ABOM to ensure that his/her clinic is compliant with all the Obesity Medicine Association Treatment Guidelines.
An experienced Medical Bariatrician (Obesity Medicine Specialist) like Dr. Obi is not only focused on helping you attain your healthiest weight possible, but also with helping you avoid other chronic diseases that are associated with being overweight or obese. Providing bariatric medical care many times involve coordinating your bariatric treatment plan with other obesity treatment professionals including but not limited to psychologist, psychiatrists, diet/nutrition counselors and other specialists when necessary.
Medical Bariatricians like Dr. Obi are trained and experienced in helping patients cope with the personal highs and lows that can occur during a weight loss treatment process, and are equally equipped with the proper medical treatment tools to help patients conquer the road blocks that can hamper successful weight loss.
No. Our program is designed for people with different levels of weight loss needs. Dr. Obi will work closely with you to assess your individual weight loss needs and design a plan to achieve and maintain your weight loss goals.
Yes. Many people battle weight-related medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, low thyroid, poor metabolism, tiredness, arthritis and many more conditions. Often times, weight loss through our program can help you improve or even eliminate most of these medical conditions.
Yes. Many insurance companies require completion of a medically supervised weight loss program focused on diet and exercise prior to approval for bariatric surgery. This insurance requirement can vary from three months to nine months depending on the insurance carrier. Dr. Obi will help you fulfill this insurance requirement through proper supervision and documentation of your weight loss progress.
This can happen to some patients who have had weight loss surgery. After weight loss surgery, we will help you maintain your weight loss goals. In addition, our Back on Track program will help you to restart your weight loss.
Yes it is. Exercise is an important component of our weight loss program. Incorporating exercise (increased physical activity) into a weight loss program is not only helpful during initial weight loss, but is critical in MAINTAINING long term weight loss success. We advise our patients to start the exercise process slowly and then gradually increase the intensity.
Our program offers you an individualized, non-surgical weight loss option to meet your weight loss goals if you do not meet criteria for bariatric surgery.
If you are uncertain about bariatric surgery at this time, you can still start our physician-directed medical weight loss program to start attaining your weight loss goals. This will also enable you to meet insurance criteria for surgery quicker if you decide to proceed with bariatric surgery.
The initial consultation at Worthy Weight Loss includes:
- A thorough review of your medical and weight history by the physician
- A focused physical examination
- An Electrocardiogram (EKG)
- A full Body Composition Analysis
- A review of nutrition, exercise and behavior modification
- A comprehensive explanation of the components of our program—active weight loss, the transition phase and weight loss maintenance
No. If applicable, you will be given prescriptions to fill at your pharmacy. In the State of Texas, it is illegal to dispense medication from a physician’s office.
Follow-up appointments will be scheduled monthly after an initial two-week follow-up appointment (unless otherwise is determined by the physician.)
NO, we don’t! HCG is not a recommended form of treatment for weight loss and it is not endorsed by the American Board of Obesity Medicine. The United States Food and Drug Administration (The FDA) does not recommend HCG as a treatment for weight loss and has issued warnings to consumers to avoid HCG diets and treatment.
