Medical Weight Loss
The Bravoure Medical Weight Loss Difference
Bravoure Medical Weight Loss aims to have you feeling like your best self. Our dedicated team works to find the perfect combination for you; not just a routine treatment plan we place everyone on. Whether you decide on weight loss or IV therapies, we have the perfect option tailored for you. Call or text us now to learn more.
Weight Loss: Getting Started
When you first make your appointment, you will receive a confirmation email and a questionnaire asking you more about yourself. We want to get to know YOU better so that we can help design a program that works for YOU!
During the initial consultation, we will review your questionnaire, and obtain a comprehensive health history – this helps us to get to know you better! We will also review your diet history and perform a physical exam. If you have had laboratory studies done recently, great! Bring that information with you. If not, don't worry – our integrated EHR allows us to order the precise lab studies that we need!
The initial consultation is $145 and you can expect the visit to last from 45-60 minutes. It will all be based on you and your needs.
Weight Loss: Developing Your Plan
Developing your action plan is the best part – other than losing weight and feeling amazing! We will devise a plan based on your personal and medical needs – whether it includes weekly injectable medications or a daily medication used to curb cravings, we'll design a program specific to you. We truly want you to be successful!
You can expect to have monthly check-ins to ensure that the plan is working and that there are no unanswered questions. We expect to see the seeds of success within the first month – a few pounds lost per week is generally what we expect. We also want to make sure that you understand the plan and that you are progressing as planned.
What is a GLP-1 Agonist
GLP-1 agonists are a class of medicine that works on receptors in our bodies that signal our brain that we are full, or "satiated" and we stop eating. Often, people say that the "food noise" is gone and their hyper focus on food is diminished. It allows us to eat when we are hungry and stop the cycle of over eating.
Common Side Effects
While everyone's experience is unique, common side effects of GLP-1 agonist include nausea, vomiting, constipation or diarrhea. These gastrointestinal side effects can be mitigated with stopping eating before you are full, not eating fatty foods, and listening to body cues as to when to eat or stop eating.
Is Compounding Legal?
According to the FDA, compounding pharmacies can help alleviate documented drug shortages as long as the compounding pharmacy meets the FDA's stringent requirements. While the compounded medication is not FDA approved, the compounding pharmacy must meet FDA criteria. Click this link for more information.
Have you Plateaued on Injectables?
Sometimes it can sure seem like you have hit a weight loss wall. Plateauing while trying to lose weight is frustrating and can feel defeating. Consider implementing any one of the following into your diet for a week. You may be pleasantly surprised!
Calories in/Calories out (CICA)
Do you feel like you don't overeat or you hardly eat anything, but you keep gaining weight? Or the dreaded – you've lost weight before but now you are stuck! Frequently, we feel as if there must be "something" wrong – we are not metabolizing food the way we used to, or we are insensitive to insulin or our cortisol levels are preventing us from losing weight. Even our hormones add strife to our weight loss efforts! ​I agree! From having microplastics and organophosphates in our food supply to BPA chemicals leaching into our food, it feels like we are fighting an uphill battle! ​But, before we venture into the rabbit holes, first pay close attention to what you eat – no matter how small/insignificant a food, Count it. I have used many apps to track the food I eat – every day. I used one that was free in 2006 – but there are tons of others. I use the app to hold myself accountable – and to make me aware of what I am putting into my body. Much like Elaine's "sponge worthy" considerations, I often consider if a food is "calorie" worthy. I can have a filling and delicious 250 calorie breakfast of eggs, spinach, tomatoes and feta and be full and feel good for the morning or I can have a 3/4 cup of deep dark chocolate ice cream and regret my life choices afterward (I'm kidding about that but there often is a layer of regret when I choose to eat unhealthy foods but we'll talk about that some more). ​The long and short of it is, people who have been rescued from deserted islands, don't come home heavier than when they started. Count your calories, pay attention to the food that comes into contact with your lips, and I'm sure you'll be surprised by the number of calories you have eaten.
Counting Macros
The term "macros" is short for macro-nutrients – or nutrients that the body needs in large quantities to provide energy and support the structure and function of the body. Macronutrients, or "macros" include carbohydrates, protein, fat, fiber and water (for the most part). Counting macros is a very helpful tool to help you recognize the food you are eating for what it is – a protein, a fat, or a carbohydrate and you can plan accordingly. There is a ton of material out there that will break down how many macros you should be eating if you are training, trying to lose weight, trying to maintain, and for every other activity you can dream of. I recommend a consultation with a registered dietician (especially if you are prediabetic or diabetic) or a certified nutritionist as they are a wonderful resource to help you make better food choices. For the purpose of weight loss though, I try to keep it as simple as possible. With the intent of losing weight, plan on eating about 1 gram of protein for every pound of your ideal body weight. If I want to be 150 pounds, I should eat close to 150 grams of protein – this is with the caveat that you also need to increase the macronutrient WATER to help flush your kidneys and keep you healthy. Please remember this is just a quick and "dirty" way to figure out how much protein you need. It will definitely vary depending on your goals but it helps to give you a good idea of what to aim for when losing weight. Once you have eaten your portion of protein, then eat the remaining portions on your plate of carbohydrates and fats.
