Diets do not include elements outside of food that can help a person successfully lose weight and keep it off. Healthy, long-term weight loss is dependent upon many factors, including realistic goal setting, regular physical activity, planning of meals, and weight maintenance strategies.

Surgical and Non-surgical Weight Loss Centers

People looking for help losing weight can find assistance at one of several medical weight loss centers. Non-surgical weight loss treatments, surgical options, and often both are offered by medical weight loss centers. A non-surgical weight management program will offer tips for meal planning, exercise regimens, behavioral strategies, and pharmaceutical options. Non-surgical weight management may be the best option for you if you are slightly or moderately obese, are uncomfortable with the risks of bariatric surgery, and/or are unable to undergo weight loss surgery due to health conditions such as hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, joint and bone diseases, or lung disease.

The best non-surgical weight loss clinics help men and women lose weight through a multidisciplinary approach. In this type of clinic, doctors, psychologists, dieticians and exercise physiologists come together to develop an extensive plan customized to each patient.

What to look for in a no surgical medical weight loss center:

· The weight loss center should be headed by a medical doctor who understands weight loss. A specialists should also oversee each patient's individual weight management plan.

· A medical screening should be mandatory before patients begin the program.
· Group or individual behavior modification therapy that stresses lifestyle and habit modifications.

·The program should include individual nutrition counseling.

Appropriate exercise and/or activity regimens as designed by a professional exercise physiologist or other qualified clinician.

Patients should have the ability to choose from several different eating plans. Options may include the use of liquid meal replacements or the choice of different low calorie alternatives. Some patients may prefer to buy pre-packaged foods, utilize pre-planned menus, or take advantage of other strategies for promoting healthy eating and proper portion size.

·Centers should be able to show patients' progress with measurable goals and well-designed mechanisms for charting progress.

Weekly weight checks are tangible ways to measure progress and program adherence.

Medications to promote weight loss should also be made available. The center's staff physicians should prescribe these medications and closely monitor their use.

Email or telephone support should be available to patients who need assistance and are unable to come to the clinic.