Slimmer Success  Program:             Centers              History                          Attitude & Pep-Talk                      Medical Steps

The Unique Components: Slimmer Success Center                        metaboliC management

The Slimmer Success Program is unique, the centers are unique as well.

They are separated into learning areas, exercise room(s), laboratory testing, cardio-pulmonary testing, all under the direction of at least one medically certified physician. Metabolic PA’s or nurses are required when clientele numbers exceed 300.

The centers are fee-based. They accelerate results, but only with close monitoring which includes regular cardiac evaluations if low-calorie meal replacements or appetite suppressants are prescribed. 24- hour cardiac rhythm monitors are preferred over a 30 minute to 1-hour sedentary office visit, which sometimes can be misrepresentative.

(1) We specialize in hypertension, obesity, thyroid abnormality, and diabetes. Diabetic management suggestions will be relayed to your family physicians, as well as cholesterol management suggestions. These are key components to safe monitoring while weight loss occurs. We strongly emphasize medical metabolic management while you show the resolve to follow the steps of the program.

(2) Reading suggestions to further motivate weight management are available on-line – with commentary. At the centers CD-ROMs, journals, and VCR’s are available both while being tested and while exercising. However, given the choice of reading a great book about the best and worst foods (we currently prefer the South Beach Diet or Adkin’s diet which are lower carb, higher protein); please recognize that lifestyle changes and exercise have a far more immediate result.

(3) Documentation- We must Record Changes and follow your body’s response to changes. We also expect you to follow weights and daily consumption both for our review and your motivation and pleasure (with success).

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(4) Special testing- To reassure safety, we perform initial cardiopulmonary testing and regular cardiac follow-up examinations, including EKGs and longer cardiac monitoring, when indicated.

(5) Exercise room with music, TV, and intermittent hands-on monitoring of heart rate and oxygen levels.

(6) Myth Breaker survey questionnaires which will better direct you to the most successful path to a “slimmer you.” One of our favorite questionnaires dispels the myth of “big boned” obesity. We have created a family tree diagram which typically shows obese family members often have other reasons for uncontrolled weight. Don’t over-blame genetics …be the best you can be.

(7) Plastic surgery relationships

Because of the success already seen with components of this program, we have expanded our services to include relationships with local board certified plastic surgeons, to cosmetically remove excessive skin folds, and to consider liposuction for those genetically difficult areas of fat retention.
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(8) Interventions - Our Slimmer Success offer the following:

A. More aggressive interventions if the initial steps are not satisfactory.

The centers are allowed to give weight reduction medications, if you, the patient, can safely take them.

B. Natural herbal products have been specifically requested by clients. Many patients respond well to natural products. They are over-the counter, and therefore appear to have fewer side effects than pharmaceutical prescription products. We are collecting a library of the most commonly used and successful natural products. We attempt to explain their success based upon chemical composition and medical reasons. However chemistry on a cellular level is still in the infancy of understanding. Therefore any safe product that works well, has both immediate and long term benefits, and is not expensive initially or over a long treatment period will be offered, whether the mechanism of action is well understood or not.

(9) Stretch mark- laser removal

We are proud to offer medically proven, safer laser reduction of both white and red stretch marks, which unfortunately remain after weight reduction. Results, just like stretch-mark generation vary person-to-person. We only continue treatment when definite improvement is seen. Otherwise plastic surgery, though more expensive, will be offered.

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*(10) Special male lifestyle offerings

Lastly, for male participants, we offer private sexual advice and consultation since obesity is also associated with sexual dysfunction (men have cortisol and testosterone changes which can be medically managed). This may include the use of erectile dysfunction (ED) medications or suggested procedures with referrals to certified urologists. This intervention has a major rejuvenating effect. It will tremendously enhance self-confidence and improve the part of a male lifestyle, which too frequently is embarrassing in conversation.

This change alone, will be the catalyst to far greater success. Fortunately, the physicians at our centers are required to do initial cardiopulmonary testing and family history surveys to assess the risk and benefits of our program. These same surveys also provide us with the appropriate data to safely prescribe such ED medications or interventions.

Please recognize that approximately one in four obese patients who have undergone our surveys and testing have required referral to cardiologists for further testing and/or intervention. These unrecognized cardiac patients have clearly been many of our most grateful patients. After repair of their cardiac conditions, we typically aggressively address exercise and the other safer intervention measures.

Insurance issues:

As opposed to most medical offices and hospitals, clients or patients who do not have insurance are not charged the highest rate for their care. Sleep studies, cardiopulmonary testing, and cholesterol, sugar, and other metabolic blood testing are kept in the affordable range because our ultimate goal is to share in your long-term health success regardless of background. Nonetheless, insurance is preferred for all medical services.

When medically indicated, such as cardiac testing for chest pain, or shortness of breath, standard insurance should cover 80% of cost. Insurance companies want you to be slimmer, it will slim their risk of your having future expensive medical complications.
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