Medical weight loss programs are designed to give moderately to severely obese patients clinical support with their weight loss needs. A patient is thoroughly evaluated and receives a individualized weight loss plan that often includes a meal replacement phase. Meal replacements are nutritionally balanced liquid meals that are typically consumed in the form of a shake.
Diet Planning
Patients enrolled in a medically supervised weight loss programs receive a complete evaluation to assess body weight, blood pressure, heart health and nutrient levels in the blood stream. An initial dietary phase with meal replacements will be planned according to the patients individual weight loss goals. Shakes are consumed as a part of a rapid weight loss phase of the program and can be safely used for up to three months.
Nutritional Details
A typical meal replacement stage consists of consuming approximately 800 to 900 calories per day. Shakes should contain a carefully calibrated amount of protein, fiber and essential nutrients. Fiber content should be carefully assessed because it adds to a feeling of fullness, aids in the absorption of fats and is critical to the cleansing of the digestive system.
Results
Most shakes, such as Optifast or Medifast, are designed as full meal replacements and allow the body to burn fat, resulting in an average weight loss of 3 to 4 lbs. per week. When an initial full meal replacement phase has concluded, patients can be transitioned onto a very carefully monitored diet that allows their body to readjust to solid food and offers sensible, well-balanced, low calorie meals. A successful 12-week replacement phase using medical weight loss shakes can result in a loss of 36 to 45 lbs.
Expert Insights
Weight loss shakes should only be used under direction of a physician and are typically used only by moderately to severely obese individuals. People who are mildly overweight should not use shakes for meal replacement unless otherwise advised by a doctor, as full meal replacement can lead to the loss of lean muscle and the slowing of metabolism. While these products can jump start weight loss in a specific population of patients, they do require supervision for healthy and effective use.
References
- Optifast: Product Information, Société des Produits Nestlé S.A.
- Mayo Clinic: I'm Trying to Lose Weight, Could Protein Shakes Help?, Katherine Zeratsky, April 17, 2010
- Vanderbilt University; Liquid Diets: Safe and Effective?, Elizabeth Hemphill, Vanderbilt University Psychology Department; Elizabeth Hemphill
- University of California San Francisco: Weight Management Program, UCSF Medical Center, 2011
Member Comments