Weight Management

Medabolic is a lifestyle management program using a multi-disciplinary approach through medical nutrition therapy, psychotherapy, and medication management. We use a collaborative method to address the topic of risk factor reduction through weight management that is evidence-based and does not use trendy, unsubstantiated treatments. We approach weight concerns from a risk factor perspective vs aesthetics. In collaboration with your primary care team, we offer the psychological and psychiatric components that are often missing from most programs that address weight management programs. Although they may say they do, they may not be equipped with proper credentialed staffing.

In addition, diagnostic testing determines whether a patient is a fit for our Medabolic Program. If patients are determined to have eating disorders, they will be referred to our eating disorders program at RCBM. The result of our diagnostic testing guides your treatment. Our highly trained team of registered dietitians, psychotherapists, and medication providers integrates a personalized approach based on comprehensive assessments by their respective disciplines.

Upon contacting our office and an initial screening by our Medabolic Intake Coordinator, if appropriate for the program, you will be sent a Medabolic Program Patient Intake Questionnaire to determine further whether you are an appropriate candidate for the program. 

If you are an appropriate candidate for the program, you will be scheduled with the following providers who offer the following treatment:

Our registered dietitian (RD) will:

• Conduct a nutrition assessment.
• Collaborate with you to create a personalized nutrition care plan using a weight-inclusive and weight-neutral approach.
• Educate you on nutrition-related potential side effects of GLP-1s if you are prescribed these medications.
• Ensure nutritional adequacy and develop a plan for sustainable progress. 
• Review nutrition, behavior, and exercise/movement logs in detail and provide continued support.
• Address behavioral aspects such as emotional eating, mindful eating practices, and fostering a healthier relationship with food and your body.
• Collaborate with your medical provider and therapist to achieve optimal outcomes using a multi-disciplinary and integrative approach.

Your therapist will work with you to:

• Identify triggers to eating behaviors.
• Assess underlying mental health issues contributing to weight concerns.
• Explore maladaptive habits and replace them with positive ones.
• Involve family members, when appropriate, who can help support you as you work toward your goals.
• Help to pave the way for sustained lifestyle changes.
• Understand how your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors intermingle to affect your eating habits.
• Adapt new habits to help increase your willpower, avoid impulsive eating, and avoid triggers. 
• Help you gain insight to better manage the stress and anxiety that impedes weight loss progress. 
• Address hidden issues holding your progress back. 
• Help you learn the root psychological causes of your health struggles.
• Implement small changes to your lifestyle and therefore sustain your weight loss.

Our medical provider will:

• Perform an initial physical through telehealth. Please note that patients on a GLP-1 must be seen at least once per year in person through the CareSynch program and, at that time, have a physical exam through the CareSynch program.
• Order lab work required for the Medabolic program.
• Request diagnostic assessments to ensure accurate diagnosis and treatment of co-occurring mental health conditions.
• After collaborating with the Medabolic multidisciplinary team and reviewing your medical and mental health history, lab work results, and diagnostic assessments, the prescriber will explore medication options.
• Continue to collaborate with your registered dietitian and therapist to achieve optimal outcomes using a multi-disciplinary and integrative approach.

The medications listed below are offered in the Medabolic program. You can learn more about them in their individual links:

Contrave

Qsymia

Semaglutides (GLP-1s):

Saxenda

Wegovy

Zepbound

Note:  Most health plans stipulate that an effort to change diet and exercise habits must be made before authorizing and re-authorizing coverage for most weight loss medications. Other stipulations apply. Please contact your insurance plan for your plan’s specific criteria.

Side effects are common, but they can be well managed with good nutrition practices, which can be personalized based on your experience working with a dietitian.

Please see the following manufacturer’s website for the full side effects of each medication:

Lilly:

Please see this link for a list of full side effects created by the medication manufacturer for Zepbound.

Novo Nordisk:

Please see this link for a list of full side effects created by the medication manufacturer for Wegovy.

The following is what you should expect from your registered dietitian during your medical nutrition therapy sessions:

Whether you're here to explore healthier habits, improve your relationship with food, or manage co-occurring medical and mental health concerns, our dietitians are here to support you every step of the way through a personalized nutrition journey rooted in care, science, and sustainability.

Session 1: Your Nutrition Story

We start with a comprehensive nutrition assessment to understand your full story—not just what you eat but also how you feel about food and your body.

In this session, we’ll explore:

●     Your current nutrition concerns and goals

●     Past diets or programs that didn’t work for you

●     Eating habits and challenges (both past and present)

●     Barriers that get in the way of eating well

●     How you feel about your body and food

●     Your medical and mental health background

Together, we’ll begin setting personalized, realistic goals.  Plan for about 60 minutes for this session.

Session 2: Personalized Fuel Plan

Using everything we’ve learned, we’ll design a nutrition plan that actually works for your life. This includes:

●     Understanding how carbs, protein, and fat fuel your body

●     Building balanced plates that support your goals

○     Tailoring recommendations based on any medical or mental health conditions

○     Guidance for those using medications like GLP-1s

●     How to stock your kitchen for success (grocery list tips)

●     Food logging options that work for your style

○     Apps

○     Phone notes

○     Food photos

○     Pen and paper

Session 3: Eating with Confidence

We’ll review your food logs and help you refine your daily habits, with support that feels practical and kind - not restrictive.

You’ll learn:

●     How to adjust meals for balance and satisfaction

●     Simple snack and meal ideas

●     Quick recipes and nourishing takeout options

●     How to understand hunger and fullness cues

●     Tools to prevent emotional eating before it starts

Session 4: Moving with Joy

This session is all about tuning into your body’s needs and making movement something that feels doable and even enjoyable.

Topics include:

●     Finding the kind of movement that’s right for you

●     Fitting activity into a busy life

●     How to fuel your body for different activity levels

●     A review of lab results and how they relate to your nutritional needs

Based on when lab work and diagnostic assessment are completed, the dietitian will review results pertaining to nutritional status and nutrition-related co-occurring disorders.

Additional Sessions: Deepen Your Journey

For those continuing with us, we offer ongoing support tailored to your evolving needs. Topics may include:

●     Advanced nutrition education (micronutrients, gut health, etc.)

●     Meal prep and planning strategies

●     Intuitive eating and mindful eating exercises

●     Emotional support and body image work

●     Accountability tools and progress check-ins

●     Turning “I know this” into “I live this”

As a medical program, we integrate medication management, psychotherapy, and nutrition counseling into our Medabolic program so that you can achieve the best possible outcome in weight loss and maintenance. One of the most critical lifestyle changes you can make is adjusting your diet, which will significantly impact the sustainability of your weight loss while on the medication and once you discontinue medication and also mitigate side effects when you are on the medication. Additionally, it is essential to address other lifestyle factors, including establishing a healthy relationship with exercise, ensuring adequate sleep, managing stress, and moderating substance use where applicable. Developing a positive relationship with food and your body is also crucial for long-term well-being and weight management.

The rate of weight loss achieved with GLP-1 medications varies among individuals and is influenced by lifestyle modifications, including exercise and nutrition. It is critical to avoid excessive weight loss, as rapid loss can result in muscle degradation, nutritional deficiencies, and potential malnutrition. Without GLP-1 medication, a safe and sustainable rate of weight loss is 0.5 to 1 pound per week.

No. Medabolic can benefit anyone who needs support with weight management. Independent of medication management, this program can help you:

• Implement medical nutrition therapy recommendations to address risk factors.
• Provide tools to address emotional eating and behaviors and end the dieting mentality.
• Help you learn the root psychological causes of your health struggles.
• Evaluate various types of joyful movement that you can implement into your daily routine as a lifelong commitment.

If you are a current patient at RCBM, please contact our office at (248) 608-8800. If you are new to RCBM, please complete our new patient registration form to start the admission process.

Individuals must reside in Michigan and be willing to come to the office if needed.

We look forward to working with you!