OPTIFAST® FAQs

What Is OPTIFAST®?

Many people who are familiar with the name OPTIFAST® are not aware that it is much more than just the gold standard for medical weight loss formulas.  OPTIFAST® is a scientifically based comprehensive weight management program that is backed by over 30 years of research which includes more than 80 research studies published in the most prestigious medical journals in the world.  In fact, research shows that medical weight loss programs such as OPTIFAST®, are the most successful and sustainable non-surgical weight control methods available.

OPTIFAST is recognized as the leader in medical weight management programs and has helped well over a million people achieve and maintain significant weight loss to improve their health; lower weight-related health risk, and enhance their quality of life.

Why Use OPTIFAST®?

We have incorporated OPTIFAST® products and education materials into the O.N.E. Weigh System because of the extremely high food quality of the product along with the shared value of treating the whole person, not just a person’s weight. Through comprehensive lifestyle education and medical monitoring, it has been clinically proven to help individuals lose weight and keep it off.

Obesity is a complex disease caused by a combination of different lifestyle and genetic factors. It often contributes to the development of a variety of other health problems such as high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes. With the help of specially trained health care providers, this treatment addresses the causes of obesity as well as its consequences.

What are the Benefits of the OPTIFAST® Treatment?

  • First of its kind: OPTIFAST was the first comprehensive meal replacement formula program for weight loss. It remains the gold standard for this type of obesity treatment and is imitated by other products that lack its record of success.
  • Long-Term Experience: this liquid diet program has been used to successfully treat over one million people since 1974.
  • Proven Therapy: over 80 studies published in recognized medical journals have reinforced the use of this meal replacement formula in treating obesity. An average weight loss of 52 pounds has been documented in over 20,000 patients completing the OPTIFAST program.
  • Ongoing Support: Studies have shown that ongoing support is a key component of successful weight loss and weight maintenance. We agree and strongly encourage our patients to participate in our support options both during and after weight loss to achieve and maintain success.

How much weight will I lose?

Although individual results vary, a 52-pound average weight loss has been documented in more than  20,000 patients who completed 22 weeks of the program. Additionally, the results showed a 15 percent reduction in cholesterol, a 29 percent reduction in blood glucose and a 10 percent reduction in blood pressure.

I’ve heard that these programs are dangerous.  Is rapid weight loss bad for you?

Rapid weight loss using complete meal replacements in combination with medical supervision is safe and healthy.  On the other hand, rapid weight loss produced by non-supplemented fasting or inferior products can impair your health.  Losing weight rapidly through inferior products or non-supplemented fasting causes the body to partly use lean muscle tissue as a source of fuel.  This not only jeopardizes your health, but also makes weight maintenance difficult.  OPTIFAST® products are formulated to protect lean muscle mass and to use fat stores as fuel, thereby reducing these risks.

 

I hear that people gain all of their weight back once they start eating regular food.  Is this true?

This could happen if a person just did the meal replacement products and made no other changes.  Our team of professionals, including behaviorists, dietitians and exercise specialists, provide very intensive education and support.  This is necessary to help individuals successfully discover their own issues related to weight management and help guide them in changing their habits.  Plus, our RIGHTWeigh program provides the ongoing support needed to help make these long-term changes in your lifestyle.

 

Will I be hungry if I’m not eating regular foods?

The feeling of hunger and the impulsive desire to eat are real concerns. The causes of hunger, whether physical or emotional, are difficult to determine. To increase success in sticking with the program, controlling hunger is a primary objective. This control involves both preventing and managing hunger sensations. The staff will suggest various techniques to accomplish this goal.  The good news is that, for most participants, hunger sensations fade within a few days to a week after starting the program.

When can I begin an exercise routine?

You may already be exercising.  If not, we encourage you to begin a routine now. Our exercise specialist can assess your needs and goals to provide a specific plan.

 

Once I lose my weight, what can I do to ensure that I keep it off?

There are four crucial steps to successful weight management.  The stronger your commitment in these areas, the more likely you are to maintain your weight:

  • Participate in meetings at O.N.E. Weigh and follow through with recommendations made by the program staff.
  • Stay active at O.N.E. Weigh through the RIGHTWeigh long-term program.  Studies show that once “therapy” is removed, skill sets tend to diminish.
  • Keep an awareness of when and what you eat.  This can be done most successfully by planning meals and snacks ahead of time or by keeping food records about what and how much you eat.
  • Maintain some form of regular activity.  Interestingly, while exercise burns calories, another benefit may be its de-stressing effect, potentially decreasing the need to use food or alcohol to relax.
  • Additionally, some people find it easier to maintain their weight loss if they continue to use OPTIFAST® supplements on an ongoing, but limited basis.  The dietitian can instruct you on the appropriate use of the product as part of a long-term plan.

 

Is OPTIFAST® covered by insurance?

Insurance carriers are inconsistent vary greatly in their policies regarding claim payment for weight management programs, and in general, most insurance companies do not reimburse for commercial weight loss services, supplies and maintenance fees.  However, portions of treatment received at O.N.E. Weigh may be reimbursable if it is medically necessary to alleviate a diagnosed medical condition driven by physical body weight.  We do not guarantee insurance reimbursement.  It is important to contact insurance providers, prior to beginning the program, to see if they cover a portion of it. Employee benefits and health care spending accounts are also options for reimbursement with some employers.

Our Programs

Monthly Digest

  • Preventing a Weight Loss Disaster

  • We all want to make our family and friends happy, and many of us go to great extents to put a smile on others faces. But how much do you sacrifice your own needs to satisfy others happiness? Perhaps, for example, your children ask for pizza for dinner. While you might be focusing on your weight loss goals, you may suddenly feel guilty about not taking your children to the movies yesterday after you promised them they could go, and if you aren’t prepared then this feeling of guilt may drive to merge from your weight loss plan.

  • How Obesity May Affect the Brain

  • According to a recent study, obesity may affect areas of the brain that control appetite and the impulse to eat–and overeat. While many people argue that losing weight is all about self-control, medical weight loss specialists understand that obesity is a struggle that many people have difficulty attempting to overcome. Weight loss clinics in Baton Rouge can help you to overcome the impact that obesity has had on your mind and help you to begin living a healthier lifestyle.

  • Becoming Aware of your Hunger Cues

  • Often times when we are having a bad day, we gravitate towards something that makes us feel comfortable. Most comfort foods aren’t packed with nutrients, and aren’t being eaten and consumed because of hunger. Emotional or “head hunger” differs greatly from physical hunger. Emotional eating can be a day-to-day occurrence that most people live with without even fully understanding or realizing. Obesity is one of the largest health problems we face today, and without separation between head and physical hunger, it is often very difficult to make a long term change.