If you have both a heart condition and diabetes, you have twice the incentive to lose excess weight. But even extremely motivated people have a difficult time losing weight without help. Going to a weight loss clinic might give you the extra boost of encouragement you need to complete your goals. Choose a weight loss clinic with staff members who understand your health problems and can tailor a diet to your needs when you have potentially serious medical conditions.
Franchised Weight-Loss Centers
Franchised weight loss centers are easy to find, often have multiple sessions or flexible hours and may have group meetings to keep you motivated. Weight Watchers, one of the largest franchised centers, has 48,000 meetings in 30 different countries to choose from. But franchised centers do not have medical personnel on staff; their personnel are more like salespeople.
These centers, while good for a person without major health problems, may not offer the guidance or diet adjustments you need. Some of the processed foods sold through franchised weight loss centers may also be high in sodium, which may be harmful if you're watching your sodium intake due to fluid retention or high blood pressure. Read labels carefully if you buy the program's food. Some insurance policies will reimburse you the cost of the visits.
Individual Doctor's Offices
If you have a doctor near you who specializes in medical treatment for obesity and the disorders associated with it, he may be a good choice to work with, especially if his services also include visits with a registered dietitian. Some doctors direct patients to follow unsound but profitable weight-loss programs or take medications used to treat obesity but not approved by the Food and Drug Administration for weight loss. Ask what type of program he feels is healthiest and don't go along if it's just one type of diet or the use of medications not FDA approved for weight loss. Insurance may cover some but not all of the costs of treatment.
Centers Attached to Hospitals
Many large hospitals have weight loss clinics under their auspices. These clinics may offer private appointments or group meetings. Ask what medical testing is done before starting a diet, which diet programs the clinic follows, how often you will see trained medical personnel, what medications may be prescribed and whether a registered dietitian is available. Clinics that offer more personalized programs may not take insurance and can be quite expensive.
Considerations
Weight loss clinics range from one-on-one, frequent follow-up offices where you see the same doctor or nurse regularly to centers that hire new personnel with no medical credentials seemingly every week. Since franchise centers are the easiest to find and often the least expensive to join, take the center's diet plan to your doctor, who understands your heart condition and diabetic needs, or to a dietitian to personalize it for your health problems. Attending group meetings and weigh-ins at a franchise that doesn't make you buy all your food from the franchise might give you the best of both worlds.
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