Medical Weight Loss Centers

Just wondering if you ave recently tried this chain? What medical procedure is used?  (Someone told me pills and another mentioned shots???) What is the cost - does it work???
Thank you,
Jen

The medical weight loss center i went to had no shots or pills. You go on a diet and use their supplements.Cost varies but prolly $1-2k per year

Don't know how it is now but it used to be a really low calorie (500 per day or so) liquid diet kind of thing. Not a great reputation for long term success and very expensive. I went there for a free consultation and they wanted to do hundreds of dollars of blood work and wouldn't use my insurance-wanted me to pay out of pocket because "they only trust their own lab".

My sister did it years ago, they called her ALL THE TIME, harrassed her about ending the program, it was horrible, she did lose the weight, some of it anyhow, and THEN they called her again, they would call everyday.  HONEST!  It was a nightmare, then she threatened to sue them for harrassement and the calls stopped, it was a mess...
It is $$$$$ though

Take care,
Chris

I went to MWLC from 2002 to 2005, off and on.  When I originally signed up for the program, I started in Aug. of 02.  There were no pills or shots.  I ate regular grocery store food and used their supplements (which were things like soups, shakes, puddings and bars).  I did have to have bloodwork which indicated that I was insulin resistant and would require medication.  They gave me the bloodwork info and went to my doc for them to look at.  They agreed, prescribed metformin and my insurance paid for it.  I liked the program because it kept me accountable.  I weighed in and chatted with a 'counselor' 3x a week.  I had to keep a food journal, etc.  It was more food than I could usually eat in a day, seriously.  It was all good, fresh food (chicken, veggies, etc).  The supplements left little to be desired, but were manageable.  It was expensive, though.  

I have nothing bad to say about the program, honestly.  Nobody called me and harrassed me or anything.  They weren't condescending or anything like that, even when I messed up.  They were nothing but supportive, to me.  

From Aug of 02 to April of 04, I lost 95 pounds.  I started at 337 pounds.  I was never hungry.  I signed up at Curves, the same day I signed up for MWLC.  I was motivated.  I got pregnant in 04 and they had me "freeze" my account until after the baby.  I lost that baby in a miscarriage and managed to keep the weight off on my own for nearly a year.  However, once I stopped following their program,  I started putting the weight back on.  I tried MWLC again in late 04/early 05.  I was not as motivated and did not have the same results as before.  I put back on the weight I had lost and had RNY in Aug of 05.  They were really good about everything and gave me all of my records when I needed them for diet documentation required by my insurance for surgery.  

So, if you are interested in the program, I would say at the very least, make an appointment and get info.  I think, just like any other weight loss program, you'll get out of the program what you put into it.  The first time, I put every effort into it and was very successful.  The second time, my heart wasn't in it.  I was not as successful. Hope this helps....Tina

Hi Tina and everyone else who so kindly responded; Thanks for sharing that with me. I need a plan B. Jen

I just wanted to add, when I did the program, I ate regular food.  I started with an 1800 calorie a day "diet", with MANY options of food choices.  Each day I ate protein, fresh veggies, fruits and very limited carbs (mostly complex carbs).  I used the supplements (pudding was my favorite) for "dessert".  Once I started losing weight, they adjusted my calorie intake.  Each adjustment, they gave me a sheet with all the food choices I could choose to eat that day, within my calorie requirement.  I do not know if the program has changed or anything like that in the past 3-4 years.  

Follow up they would not give me my documentation for rny,wanted to charge for it, and they harassed us forever.We still get mailings from 2 years ago.Never seen the Dr. they said but it does work if you can stick to it$$$$$$$$$$$$!

Really?  Wow, sorry you had such a bad experience with them.  They gave me no problems in getting my paperwork.  They even gave me the address for the main office in Southfield so I could pick them up personally and not have to wait for them to be mailed.  I saw the doctor at my first OFFICIAL visit, a couple days after I signed up (Dr. Cooper, from the commercials..LOL).  I signed up at the clinic in Jackson and did the majority of my visits at the Ann Arbor clinic.  Once I quit the program, I never heard from them again.   And they were very aware of the fact that I was having RNY. 

I was going to try this one time, but found it to be really pricey.  I talked with my insurance company and they covered a similar plan.  I had to buy the meals through them though.  It did not seem to be that bad.  I did not end up doing it.  Had RNY instead.  You should see if your insurance company will pay for anything like that.  I went through St. John's at the time.  It is on there  website still.  It is now called Henry Ford.

If not, and you do go to MWLC, it's usually tax deductible.

Erica