Weight loss clinic

[chillnurse, BSN, RN, NP]

Some of my friends and I have been thinking of starting a prescription weight loss clinic. These seem as if they have not caught on that much yet and seem to be an area which has plenty of room for tapping. I have never myself researched deeply some of the medications used for weight loss, and since we are starting to do this, I will probably do so tonight. Has anybody else had any experiences with adipex or one of the other weight loss medications from either the provider or customer side?

I feel it is a better alternative than many of these OTC garbage pills people throw around. The worst being these network marketing weightless pills sold by stay at home moms all over Facebook and other chump change websites. I mean for nearly the same cost you can get the prescription medication that actually works and an evaluation from a provider. why would somebody take a pill sold on Facebook by an overweight soccer mom over that?

I am open to any and all input on this.

[ryguyRN]

I am currently doing FNP clinicals at a rural medical clinic with an MD, and they have their own weight loss program. They typically prescribe phentermine for weight loss and patient must have a weight reduction with in a time frame to continue in the program. Not sure of how many other medical clinics do this, I have not heard of many weight loss clinics but it does sound like a market worth exploring.

[Psychcns]

Some kind of wellness focus maybe. Nutrition, personal training, stress management as well as weight loss. Maybe counseling, too.

[msygrnbw]

I'm not sure where you live, but here there are Medical Weight Loss Clinics (as well as a number of physician offices, etc), which prescribe Phentermine. As someone who has lost a great amount of weight in the past, I would say that your patients would be far better served by a clinic focusing on health and changing habits. Maybe some actual workout/healthy cooking/efficient shopping classes and focus on measurable values other than just weight - blood pressure, lab values, etc. That's just my opinion though - I think in the long run for your patient population it would be far more sustainable than with appetite suppressants.

[chillnurse, BSN, RN, NP]

I agree with you completely msy. adding in all of what you stated would def be one thing I am interested in. I don't think i could just throw pills at people without support with what you and psych have stated. lining out diets for people and workouts in an easy to understand format would be a great asset to the rx weight loss medication. Of course there is already a plethora of dieting information on the internet, much of it is either sketchy, leaned toward selling a misshapen product, or simply does not present information in an understandable manner for the layperson.

Any other ideas would greatly be appreciated and i am very thankful for the responses :)

you guys rock

[Glycerine82, LPN]

I have a girlfriend with PCOS who is taking Qsymia, seems to be working pretty well for her.

I recently lost 60lbs from my ADD meds in combination with diet changes.

What insight I can provide is from that of someone who was and is (very) overweight.

I truly didn't believe I could lose a significant amount of weight without exercising, I did NOT want to start exercising, (I was too big, it was too embarrassing and it HURT) and I truly didn't believe I was the kind of person who could be thin.

Well, I'll never be thin, but aim to be healthy.

I did not start taking meds in order to lose weight, and obviously, the meds I'm on are NOT for weight loss, but they have made me lose a ton and I thought I'd share my story.

I've gone from a size 20 to a 14, which is a really big deal for me. I am under 200 lbs for the first time since I can remember.

When people ask how I did it, I tell them I stopped eating junk, which is true, but the reason I stopped is:

a) because I don't have much of an appetite anymore and

b) I have much better impulse control now.

I would actually argue that my ADHD contributed to my weight gain, and now that its under control, so is my weight. (well, its getting there) but that's another story.......

My point is, now that I see the loss, and I feel so awesome, I am making a conscious effort to really start getting into shape. For me, I needed to see results were actually possible, before I could truly grasp that it IS possible for me to lose weight and be healthy. I never would have gone to the gym and put all of the work into it, to not see (immediate) results.

I just wonder how many othere people there are like me out there, who essentially need to take the easy way out at first, in order to get to the place where they are willing to do something about it.

Like I said, I really didn't think I could do it. I thought I would always just be the "fat girl".

Now, I'm on fire to get rid of my tummy and get healthy, not something I ever thought would be a goal of mine.

[zmansc, ASN, RN]

Congratulations on your progress. It's always great to hear stories where people overcame not only the physical, but the mental and emotional issues that kept them from achieving their health goals.

[Cardiac-RN]

To the OP, just wanted to mention that there are states specifics worth checking into. I know in my state, NPs are not allowed to prescribe Adipex/ phentermine and the like, but know this varies from state to state.

Overall though, I think a comprehensive center where someone can go for healthcare, nutrition, lifestyle recommendations, and group support is a great idea to support health in the general population.

Cardiac-RN