Haven Weight Management

MEDICALLY SUPERVISED WEIGHT LOSS

VIRTUAL PROGRAM NOW ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS

Criteria

This program will be for Ontario residents with a Physician referral who:

  • are over the age of 18

  • have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or more      

    OR

  • have a BMI of 27 to 30 and a weight-related medical condition such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, etc.

    AND

  • currently in stable mental health

**This is not a program for patients who have active symptoms of anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa.**

Behavioural Program

This is a medical program for obesity treatment (not a diet program).

This program addresses one of the core symptoms of obesity: a higher appetite drive and overeating behaviour. This is often a by-product of your genes colliding with our food rich environment.

Learning skills from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in your daily life and using medications for obesity (for those who qualify) will help you adhere to a healthy dietary and exercise plan that helps you manage your weight long-term.

What does the program entail?

·      Monthly 30 minute sessions with the Registered Dietitian

·      Monthly 20 minute sessions with Dr. Sandy Van

·      Group sessions (optional and when available)

·      All virtual through Ontario Telemedicine Network

Self practice:

Experiential exercises are essential to get the most out of the program. This will include:

·      Tracking your food intake on My Fitness Pal (data for the RD to review)

·      Thought journaling in between sessions

·      Reading recommended resources on CBT

Treatment

Why do we consider the use of medications for obesity?

Obesity is a chronic, progressive, medical condition with complex causes. There are almost two decades worth of research indicating the role of genetics in contributing to one’s weight. There are up to 1100 genes that have been identified that affect regions of the brain that regulate appetite signaling, metabolism and body weight.

Certain medications for weight loss will help with appetite regulation in a way that allows you to lose weight and to keep it off. Many who lose weight with diets alone will often regain due to the brain’s desire to defend a higher body weight (the set point). In response to weight loss, the brain naturally changes one’s metabolism, and increases appetite in an effort to defend a higher body weight. Medications and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy are tools to blunt this effect.

A referral from a Physician is required.

Fax referrals to (416) 572-5877

*Please include a baseline ECG and bloodwork from the past year including CBC, metabolic panel, creatinine, ALT/AST, ferritin, TSH*

For any questions regarding the program, please email:

contact@drsandyvan.com