What is your approach?
We start with the premise that one size does not fit all. We appreciate that the disease of obesity can be influenced by a number of factors, including: lifestyles, genetics and psychological. While dieting may help you lose weight, it does not in of itself, keep the weight off. Weight-loss can only be achieved when limiting habits and psychological blocks are addressed and eliminated. With these as our foundation, the Preventive Health Centre has developed three pathways that the patient may travel.

Path 1 Advice

This route is for those who are ready to address their weight concerns (and would like to try on their own), but due to the mass of information (and misinformation) and dizzying amount of seemingly endless options including self-help books and supplements, they are not sure where to start and need advice and counseling from a source that has gained their trust.

Path 2 Slim Within

This route is for whom weight-loss is not longer an option. You have tried it on your own and the lost weight keeps coming back. You may have high blood pressure, diabetes or various other obesity-related conditions. For you, we have developed a “Slim Within” program, which involves a personalized low-calorie diet, which offers safe but quick weight-loss. This is combined with the behaviour modification involving state-or-the-art educational materials. You would be monitored weekly to keep you on track and ensure that your health is our number one concern. This program is designed to keep the weight off. It is administered by a physician and/or counselor.

Path 3 Full Makeover

The same proven effective methods as Path 2 are utilized but also include extra care and involvement from health professionals, whose goal is to make health a number one concern. You will be seen by a fitness instructor, a lifestyle counselor, dietician and our physician for a pre-determined number of visits. This will give you all the necessary tools to maintain a healthy lifestyle at whatever weight you decide is your comfort zone and optimizes your potential.

How much does it cost? Are you covered by OHIP?
The cost will vary according to the program. The physician’s visits in all three paths are covered by OHIP. Ancillary services are billed separately if not part of the basic program. Please see below for more details.

Path 1 is a 45 minute consultation with our physician and is covered by OHIP.

Path 2 requires a registration fee of $175, which includes an initial assessment by the counselor, body composition analysis, diet books or tapes, diet manual, educational material, first week of counseling materials, access to our internet-based mental weight assessment and the first week of nutritional supplements (if required). Ongoing costs include the purchase of protein or nutritional supplements and any further motivational materials and tapes. There is a weekly fee of $25 with the option to purchase eight weeks at $160. The weekly fee can be credited towards purchase of supplements. Fitness counseling and assessment by a psychologist will be billed independently and at the rates below.

Path 3 This 24 week all-inclusive program costs approximately $1300 and includes weekly visits with either the dietician, fitness instructor, lifestyle counselor or psychologists as well as all the necessary materials and nutritional supplements and equipment.

Are medications or injections involved?
No injections are given in our clinic. We have also found that we rarely need to prescribe medications, however, obesity is a disease and for those with a particular genetic disposition, or for those for whom weight-loss has become a health necessity, medications will be considered. Under the guidance of our physician, these medications can be safely and effectively prescribed and can be a helpful method of maintaining long-term weight-loss. Our clinic follows the guidelines of the American Society of Bariatric Physicians as well as the National Institute of Health in prescribing medications.

How do I make an appointment?
A referral from your family physician or specialist is preferred, but not necessary. Simply calling our office and speaking with our receptionist is all there is to do. You can reach us on the internet at www.preventivehealthcentre.com and we will contact you.

How long will it take me to lose my weight?
This cannot be answered until the initial assessment has been completed. We aim for a loss of approximately 1-2 pounds per week.

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