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The term “Medical Weight Loss” may sound intimidating, but at VIVA Wellness, we pride ourselves in providing a warm, welcoming, holistic experience for each of our services. We’re more than a medical weight loss center. We’re a diverse and caring team dedicated to treating every aspect of your health and ensuring you are supported at every step.
We’re honored that you’re considering a path toward wellness through the VIVA Wellness medical weight loss protocols. As we’ve grown our team to include two new Nurse Practitioners (NPs) alongside the VIVA Wellness Founder, Jennifer, our client list in the Waukesha, Milwaukee, and Lake Country area is growing. This means we’re getting more questions about the process as a whole. Part of providing you with the best service level is ensuring you are fully informed and comfortable, so we’re here to answer all of your questions and break down every step of your medical weight loss program.
What is medical weight loss?
Medical weight loss, also known as medically supervised weight loss, offers a non-surgical solution for those needing more than just diet and exercise.
It usually involves proactive management of medications, diet and exercise behaviors, and other complementary services under the guidance of a healthcare professional. These programs typically include comprehensive metabolic testing to track physiological changes throughout the program.
Medical weight-loss programs have higher success rates than self-guided diets, aiming to improve your overall health and wellness alongside weight management.
How do weight loss clinics work?
You have probably discovered that there are a multitude of programs available both online and at medical weight-loss centers. Each program specializes in a unique approach, so your experience at one weight loss clinic will be different from another.
With the VIVA Wellness Team’s commitment to your weight loss journey, our care extends far beyond losing weight. We provide nutrition counseling, health evaluations, educational resources, treatment for weight-related issues, and long-term follow-up to ensure your success.
Your personalized medical weight loss program will start with a consultation, which is a $50, 30-minute session. Our follow-up care is tailored specifically to your needs, ensuring the best possible outcomes for your weight loss journey.
Step One: Setting Your Mind on Wellness
Before you start a medical weight loss program, it is important that you have a vision for the life you want to live and the level of health it will take to get there. Just like anything else, success will depend on your dedication to self-care through whatever program you choose.
When you’re considering starting your weight loss journey, it’s likely you have researched several different options. That is an important first step. In fact, we encourage you to consider all your options to find the program that is the right fit for you. As you are making your decision, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with one of our NPs.
Step Two: Starting Your Weight Loss Conversation
First of all, congratulations on beginning this conversation. Who knows what doors may open for you and your goals as a result?
When you come in for your consultation at our Brookfield, WI clinic, you will have already filled out intake forms to help us understand your health history and goals.
Like many other weight loss clinics, VIVA Wellness offers a number of other services. You may see other clients coming in for infrared sauna, IV, colonic, lymphatic drainage, cavitation, and weight loss. The atmosphere, however, is very different from other medical weight loss clinics that are cold and impersonal. When you walk through our doors, our front desk staff will greet you with smiles. You’ll hear music playing, smell calming essential oils diffusing, and will probably encounter a lot of laughter! We love what we do, and you can feel that when you visit.
Your Nurse Practitioner will come to greet you and walk you back to the privacy of a cozy consultation room that is clean but in no way the sterile environment of most other weight loss clinics. You’ll sit on a couch or a cushioned chair and start the conversation to get to know one another.
What will the NP be checking during my consultation?
You may be required to have a physical at our weight loss center, possibly including other labs and tests, before we determine whether a medication or weight loss approach is a good fit.
Unlike a traditional medical weight loss clinic, the VIVA Wellness physical is made for people with medical anxiety. It is relaxed and easy while still being thorough. We’ll check the following:
- Weight. Your NP will weigh you to establish your starting point. You never need to know this number or your Body Mass Index (BMI) at any point with VIVA Wellness if you don’t want to. It is simply one of the tools we use to measure progress. Your NP will discuss your preferences with you, and our discussions around this point alone may be very helpful in determining some of the roots and triggers around your body and weight.
- Blood pressure.
- Heart and lung auscultation. This is where we listen to you take breaths.
- EKG. Unlike traditional EKGs, your heart is scanned through a small state-of-the-art device applied to your ankle, and in 30 seconds we have all the information we need.
- Lifestyle assessment. We will ask you a number of questions to get a feel for your daily lifestyle including diet and exercise habits.
- Weight loss challenges and barriers. Your NP will also discuss your previous attempts at weight loss, what has and has not worked, and what stressors you have in your life that may be contributing to weight gain.
- Before photos, TOTALLY OPTIONAL. Before you start, you have the option to take “before” photos for your own reference. Photos and numbers on the scale are only two components of a weight loss journey. We like to think how you feel in your body and life as a whole are key determinants of success, too.
Step Three: Your Custom Plan to Lose Weight
During your medical weight loss consultation, you and your NP will decide on the best course of action. There are a number of factors that determine your candidacy for any program or medication, so the experience from this point will vary from person to person. We never take the one-size-fits-all approach to medical weight loss. We love that about what we do—each individual inspires a unique experience.
While there are many weight loss protocols to choose from, including nutritional counseling, phentermine, cavitation, and metabolism-boosting injections, the path you take will depend on your history and how you determine success. A fully custom approach to your personal weight loss will be outlined.
Step Four: What to Expect at Follow-Up Appointments
We understand that everyone’s needs are different, so we will work with you to determine the best schedule for follow-up visits. Whether you prefer more frequent appointments for accountability or less regular guidance as you find what works for you, we are here to support you.
During your follow-up visits, you can expect to meet with a member of your VIVA Wellness team. Together, we will review your progress, address any new concerns or barriers, and fine-tune your game plan for success. Additionally, your provider may discuss the option of referrals to our trusted network of behavioral health services, alternative medicine, or other specialists if necessary. We are committed to providing comprehensive care that addresses the whole person during the process.
Depending on the weight loss approach you take, you’ll likely have monthly check-ins with your NP, but you may be coming in more frequently for an intramuscular or subcutaneous injection. If your weight loss protocol does not require injections, these monthly check-ins might be done virtually if preferred.
Step Five: Your Journey to a Healthy Weight
Losing weight isn’t just about appearances. It has a positive impact on your overall health, helps you look and feel younger, and gives you the motivation and energy to reach new goals. As you embark on this journey, you’ll watch your body transform and gain confidence in the process.
Focused on Your Individual Needs and Personal Comfort
You’ll feel this through every touchpoint of working with us! If your program includes injections, you don’t even have to stand up. This can be done from your provider’s office couch as long as we can access your upper glutes. Good health and wellness do not have to mean sacrificing comfort and convenience.
Managed by an Experienced Team of Healthcare Providers
While VIVA Wellness feels different than most clinics you’ve probably walked into, it’s a completely safe, verified, licensed, medical, and credible resource. Because we are independent, there are opportunities for the providers to customize approaches that work with your unique situation.
You will not feel the standard time crunches that you often feel in a doctor’s office. Our providers need to understand you in order to help you be successful, and you’ll notice that in any of our services, not just weight loss. Most of our providers have medical backgrounds and chose to work for VIVA Wellness because of our unique and personal approach versus the traditional weight loss clinic setting.
Support Throughout the Process
There’s good reason not to attempt a weight loss program alone. When you choose us, our entire VIVA Wellness team will be here to support you at every phase. Our treatments are designed to help you achieve lasting results.
Our dedicated team is as committed as you are to helping you achieve your wellness goals. All you need to do is make the choice and trust the process. It will require effort, commitment, and dedication, but the benefits are endless—physical, mental, and emotional.
Schedule Your Consultation Today!
VIVA Wellness has helped countless clients in the Milwaukee and Waukesha areas reach a level of wellness they never dreamed possible. If you’re ready to join them, contact us to schedule your consultation. Take charge of your weight loss today and discover a healthier, happier you!