Losing weight is no easy task, and trying to follow an unproven weight-loss plan without medical supervision can be both ineffective and risky. At the Institute for Health Management Aesthetics in Petaluma, California, David Chappell, MD, who specializes in treating obesity, can help you safely achieve dramatic weight-loss results in only a few months by following a very low-calorie diet (VLCD). To start finally shedding those stubborn pounds so you can look and feel your best, call or use online booking to schedule an appointment.
To learn more about IHM Weight Loss and to schedule an appointment at our Petaluma location, check out our website ihmweightloss.com!
Weight Loss Q & A
What is a very low-calorie diet?
A VLCD is a proven method that can help you rapidly lose weight by consuming meal replacements that total 500-800 calories a day. VLCD is most useful for people with a BMI over 30 and who also have obesity-related medical conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes, all of which a VLCD can quickly and significantly improve.
Dr. Chappell’s VLCD program, which he developed at the Institute for Health Management, consists of a combination of shakes and daily supplements that together provide all the nutrients you need to function without any excess calories. This modified fasting helps adults with obesity to lose three to five pounds a week.
Is a VLCD safe?
VLCD is safe when done under the careful supervision of an experienced weight-loss physician like Dr. Chappell. Potential side effects, which are most common in the first few weeks, may include dizziness, fatigue, constipation, and diarrhea.
Dr. Chappell regularly monitors your overall health, as well as your progress in losing weight, to ensure you remain healthy while following a VLCD, and will help you to manage any side effects you happen to experience.
What happens after my VLCD?
By itself, a VLCD is not a long-term solution. With or without medical supervision, forgoing food and consuming so few calories a day isn’t a sustainable lifestyle. Think of VLCD as a powerful first step to get you started losing weight as part of a lifelong weight management program.
After you’ve gotten over the initial challenges of losing weight and experienced significant results from your VLCD, which for most people is around 45 pounds over 12 weeks, Dr. Chappell provides you with guidance to avoid “rebounding.”
Many people who attempt VLCDs and other drastic weight-loss plans without the help of a doctor quickly return to their unhealthy habits soon after they begin to see results. The key to a VLCD working is that afterward, you can successfully transition to a lifestyle that includes exercise and a healthy diet with the help of Dr. Chappell.
If you’d like to start losing weight and learn how to keep it off for good, visit Dr. Chappell at the Institute for Health Management Aesthetics in Petaluma, California. Call the office or schedule an appointment using the online booking feature today.