Q: What sets Weigh to Wellness Denver apart?

Andrick: For starters, we’re a medical specialty office that provides medical services. As such, we bill insurance companies for our services. Obesity is a chronic medical disease that requires ongoing medical management just like diabetes, high blood pressure and other treatable health conditions. Primary care physicians refer patients to us for specialized care just as they send patients to specialists like cardiologists and endocrinologists. We have the expertise to help. And because we accept insurance, our care is often more affordable.

Q: What is your approach to weight loss?

Andrick: Our motto at Weigh to Wellness Denver is “We meet people where they are.” We don’t focus on what led to the weight problem. Instead, we focus on what’s happening in a patient’s life now and what changes they’re able to (and willing to) make. People often want to know “What is the program?” We don’t have a one-size-fits-all program. We customize weight management plans for each patient. Most of our patients have been on several diets by the time we see them, often with some successful weight loss but more often followed by weight recurrence. We work on nutrition education for a nutrient-dense, high-quality diet but with the idea that this can become a lifestyle change for the longer term.

Q: What can patients expect when they come to Weigh to Wellness Denver?

Andrick:  Initially, patients meet with me or our physician assistant to review their medical history, weight history, current symptoms and what their diet looks like overall. We discuss treatment options and make a plan. We then have them follow up with our dietician who creates an individual weight-management and food plan. We typically see patients every 2-4 weeks and then space out the visits as people feel confident with their progress.

Q: What’s your view on weight-loss medications?

Andrick: It helps to think about excess weight and obesity as similar to other chronic conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes where medications can really help with successful treatment. Today’s FDA-approved anti-obesity medications are more effective and safer than ever. The medications help people feel less hungry and often less interested in food which helps with eating less and sticking with healthier options. For patients who are interested in this treatment, the initial weight-loss success can be the push they need to make dietary and lifestyle changes and continue the pattern of weight loss.

Q: What role does diet play in weight loss?

Andrick: Weight loss is mostly about making more nutritious choices to fuel your body. That sounds simple, but it’s really challenging for most of us to know what to eat especially when we face so many food choices in stores and restaurants. This is another example of how my team meets a patient where they are. A patient may need help stocking their kitchen, learning how to prepare healthier meals, or changing a habit like grabbing fast food a couple of times a week or drinking soda.