ALPHA MEDICAL CENTER

WEIGHT LOSS CLINIC

AGREEMENT FOR PATIENTS USING WEIGHT LOSS MEDICATIONS.

I AM AWARE THAT:

• Eating a moderately restricted diet and exercising are the main treatments for losing and controlling weight.
• Eating a very restricted diet (1000 calories or less) can be dangerous and will cause metabolism to decrease making weight loss more difficult.
• Research shows that generally patients lose weight while on weight loss medications and gain weight when medications are stopped. ONLY by achieving a balance where energy used (exercised away) is equal or greater than the energy taken in (eaten) can weight be maintained or lost.
• Based on current scientific research weight loss medications are used as a short-term strategy commonly not more than 3 months. But I will need to work at maintaining weight lost for the rest of my life.
• People who have taken any prescription weight loss medication for three months or more in their life have a 23-46 in one million chance of developing pulmonary hypertension a rare but often fatal side effect.
• Because of the risks involved I will need and agree to participate in close supervision from the health care team while on weight loss medications.