The OPTIFAST ® Program
at Tufts-New England Medical Center
The Tufts-NEMC OPTIFAST ® program
is designed for people who are significantly
overweight, or have a body mass index
(BMI) greater than 30. It uses high
quality meal replacement products
in combination with a comprehensive
lifestyle education program that is
designed to help you lose weight,
improve your health, and develop the
skills needed to successfully manage
your weight in the future.
What is Optifast?
 The OPTIFAST ® Program includes
three important components: medical,
behavioral and nutritional. All three
of these components are continuously
monitored to assure that you remain
in peak health.
Medical monitoring:
- A thorough preliminary medical
evaluation (history, examination
and any necessary lab tests) by
a physician who specializes in weight
management is conducted to determine
your health status and to determine
if OPTIFAST ® is right for you.
- Weekly medical monitoring of your
progress by health professionals
who specialize in weight management.
- Communication with your primary
care physician, as necessary.
- To ensure proper utilization,
these products are intended for
use only under the supervision of
a physician and/or other health
care professional.
Lifestyle Counseling and Education:
- Lifestyle change
is the cornerstone of successful
weight management.
- OCC behavioral health
professionals, who specialize
in weight control, counsel OPTIFAST ® patients
individually and in group settings.
- Our program attempts
to help you identify lifestyle
factors, activity patterns and eating
habits that have contributed to
your weight gain, then helps you
build a healthy new lifestyle that
fits your food preferences and routine.
Nutritional Intervention:
- People attempting
to lose weight may be better able
to manage the amount and types of
food they consume if their choices
for calories are controlled or limited.
A diet that is portion-controlled,
restricts calories, and minimizes
the handling of food has been
shown to improve adherence to a
diet plan.
 OPTIFAST ® diet
products include drinks, soups
and bars. These nutritional products
are one of the "tools" patients
can use to help control caloric
intake and manage weight long-term. - The nutritional products
cut calories not nutrients. When
used as directed, our protocols
each provide complete, balanced
nutrition including at least 100%
of the recommended daily intake
for protein and all essential vitamins
and minerals.
Why Should I consider
OPTIFAST® ?
- •Use of a product such
as OPTIFAST ® can accelerate
weight loss. On average, participants
lose 2 to 4 pounds per week, which
is approximately twice as much
as with usual low calorie diets.
- •Some people find
it preferable to lose weight by
consuming a completely planned diet
where there is little room for choice.
- Patients with diabetes
or other health problems may experience
significant benefit in their conditions
from the accelerated weight loss
obtained with OPTIFAST ® .
Frequently Asked
Questions
How long is the OPTIFAST ® Program?
- Patients may consume
OPTIFAST ® products for up
to 12 weeks, after which there
is a gradually transition back
to food over 6 weeks
- •Patients are expected
to commit to the full 18 week
program
When I am in the OPTIFAST ® program,
how often will I be seen at the
OCC?
- OPTIFAST ® patients
are seen weekly for behavioral
groups, medical monitoring and/or
lab tests.
Are there risks associated with
the OPTIFAST ® program?
- In general, the risks
are minor and include dehydration,
fatigue, constipation and intolerance
to cold.
- Other more serious
risks may rarely occur and will
be discussed at your initial visit
after your medical status is reviewed.
What are the costs?
- The cost for the
program is $450 for the full 18
week behavioral and nutritional
component and approximately $100
per week for the meal and snack
replacements.
- The medical and lab
visits are usually covered by
insurance.
For more information on Optifast
, click here
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