We
are group of committed professionals who strive to motivate
our patients in achieving their weight loss goals. Intermountain
Clinical Nutrition is unique in respecting that each patient
has individual needs. Our programs address both the medical
and behaviorial aspects of weight loss. Our promise to you
is that will never feel alone in your journey to lose weight.
The
ICN philosophy believes that:
- Compulisve
eating is a chronic, progressive and addictive disease.
- Defense
mechanisms such as denial prevent inidviduals from recovering.
- Autobiography/first
step presentation provides structure for admitting the depth
of the problem and facilitating the beginning of the recovery
process.
- Ongoing
group involvement is critical for long-term success.
The
full-fasting program
- Sees
Dr. Benowitz for a preliminary history/physical and blood
work-up.
- Has
a Behavioral Assessment with our Behavorist.
- Has
a clinic visit every Wednesday afternoon.
- Has
blood work every other week
- Attends
a behavior modification group every Wednesday evening.
- The
patient will consume only Optifast, typically 5 drinks a
day and 2 quarts of water, depending on their weight, age
and health.
- They
are encouraged to maintain an exercise program.
- They
will receive a monthly newsletter from us.
They
can ,on the average, anticipate losing
3 to 5 pounds a week. There is no real time
limit on length of fast. We have had patients fast for
12 weeks and/or up to 20 weeks, depending on the amount of
weight loss necessary for them to stabilize their health.
- A
twelve and/or twenty week fast would have an additional
6 weeks of transition where the patient is reintroduced
to food.
- During
this Modified-fast, the patient would meet weekly with the
dietitation.
- At
the completion of the transitionalt period, the patient
would have both a behavioral evaluation and a dietitary
evaluation.
- The
patient would have available a year of aftercare group for
continued maintenance which would meet on Wednesday evenings
.
The
modified-fasting program is also available for new patients
or for returning patients.
- This
program does not require medical monitoring.
- The
patient will consume approximately 1200/1500 calories a
day (which is 3 drinks a day and a 750/1050 calorie meal)
depending on their weight, age and health.
- This
is a traditional diet with the expected weight loss of 1
to 2 pounds a week.
- Patients
are encouraged to maintain an exercise program, generally
walking 3 miles a day 5 days a week and to drink 2 quarts
of water a day.
- Patients
will also receive monthly newsletter from us .
- Patients
can choose to attend the Aftercare Behavior Modication Group.
This
is a broad overview of our program.
- Patients
wishing to begin a full fast would need to call Dr. Benowitz’
office (801)408-2600 and schedule an appointment for an
Optifast physical with Shelly, our clinic director.
- Those
wishing a modified-fasting program need only come to the
office to purchase their food. Our clinic director,
Shelly Turner , will give
you the dates of the next support group and/or schedule
a free, no obligation consultation with our Intake Director,
Jeanne MacKenzie.
- You
can also contact us by email at inquiries@icnoptifast.com.
