About the Program:

• Can be used for patients needing to lose from 10 pounds to over 100 pounds
  
  
• The diet is designed to meet YOUR lifestyle and nutritional needs. It will provide
  you with the optimal balance of protein, carbohydrates and fat to help you
  achieve weight loss at a healthy rate.
  
  
• Your specific medical needs are considered in development of the program,
  such as, diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol
  
  
• You have a choice of using a combination of high protein meal replacement
  products (Optifast™ and Medifast™) purchased at Ocotillo Internal Medicine
  and healthy foods purchased at your local grocery store
  
  
• Medications to suppress appetite may be used if determined to be safe and beneficial
  
  
• Exercise is strongly encouraged and is an important component to achieve
  and maintain weight loss
  
  

What You Need to Start:

• Motivation and a strong desire to lose weight and change your lifestyle
  
  
• New Patients ( 2 appointments needed to get started)
  
  

  Schedule a history and physical with Dr. Maurice or one of our highly qualified physician assistants. (You can choose to make Dr. Maurice your PCP or keep your current physician and see Dr. Maurice for weight management only.) Schedule your second appointment with Dr. Maurice to measure your body fat, establish your goals and develop your diet plan

  
  
• Established Patients at Ocotillo Internal Medicine
  
  

  Schedule an appointment with Dr. Maurice to measure your body fat, establish your goals and develop your diet plan

  
  
• $125 fee and $8 book fee due when diet plan developed
  
  
• Visits typically billed through insurance since management of comorbidities
  is included, ie — diabetes, elevated blood pressure, high cholesterol,
  gastroesophageal reflux, and arthritis, etc. Copays and deductibles apply.
  
  
• Average cost of food (varies according to diet plan) ~ $12-18 per day