Very Low Calorie Diets in Salt Lake City
Need to lose over 30 pounds? One of the many solutions at Advanced Medical Weight Loss is the Very Low Calorie Diet (VLCD). This diet works for men and women who need to lose up to 200 pounds in up to a year. With the combination of low-calorie foods, dietary and vitamin supplements, and prescribed appetite suppressants, our weight loss experts can help you lose up to 3 pounds per week.
Our Highland Drive office is conveniently located in Salt Lake City with easy access to residents in Sandy, Draper, Murray, Riverton, North Salt Lake, West Valley City, and Bountiful, Utah.
Very Low Calorie Diet FAQ’s
How does the VLCD work?
In the 1950’s and 1960’s, researchers discovered that when humans consume less than half of their basal metabolic rate, then within 24 hours they stop feeling physical hunger. This effect lasts as long as the dieter carefully keeps their calorie intake at less than half of their basal metabolic rate. At Advanced Medical Weight Loss, with frequent careful monitoring, we allow our patients to continue a VLCD for up to 12 months, which allows our VLCD patients to lose up to 200 pounds, if that much weight loss is needed. If needed, weight-loss medication is used with a VLCD to improve compliance with the VLCD and to help with fatigue that can occur in the first few weeks of a VLCD
In order to safely maintain such a low-calorie intake, patients on a VLCD consume only nutritionally complete shakes, puddings, soups and protein bars that are purchased from our office. In addition, patients must take prescription medications to prevent dangerously low potassium, kidney stones, and gallstones, and might need prescription medication to prevent gout, if the patient has a history of gout. Due to these safety requirements of medications that are not available over the counter, individuals should not do VLCDs without medical supervision by experienced VLCD providers.
A VLCD is a unique opportunity to lose up to three times more weight than patients lose on any other diet.
How many calories per day will I eat?
Patients on a modern VLCD are prescribed between 700 and 1,000 calories per day, depending on sex, age and body size. With consistent adherence to the prescribed VLCD, you can expect to lose 3 to 5 pounds per week.
Is the VLCD safe?
We do everything we can to keep your weight-loss plan healthy. This type of diet has been in use for over 50 years and has been used by over 1 million people under proper medical supervision to lose weight quickly and safely. Patients have a safety lab panel drawn monthly to ensure they remain safe while on the diet. Patients are also required to take dietary and prescription supplements to ensure they remain safe and healthy on the diet.
How much weight will I lose?
Results vary due to different metabolic rates and levels of activity, but generally, patients on a VLCD lose 3-5 pounds a week, resulting in 50-80 pounds of weight loss over a 6-month period. For those needing to lose more than 80 pounds, the 6-month program can be extended to 9 and 12 months. Programs can be shorter for patients who need to lose just 30 to 50 pounds.
Won’t I be hungry?
You may be physically hungry for the first day or two. Mental craving can last longer. To curb any cravings, we can prescribe appetite suppressants to reduce hunger for patients who need it.
Are there any side-effects?
Most patients experience mild, temporary side-effects as their body adjusts to a VLCD. These include headaches, cold insensitivity, “fruity” breath, fatigue, and light-headedness. After 1-2 weeks, most report that they feel great and feel more energetic.
Who can participate in a VLCD?
Every patient is different, so we conduct thorough screenings before recommending a VLCD. We do not recommend Very Low Calorie Diets for children under 16, pregnant or nursing women, or the elderly. Patients with certain medical conditions should not undergo VLCDs. We can answer further questions in our Salt Lake City office, during an appointment, or via phone or email.
Do the supplements taste good?
Many of our staffers at Advanced Medical Weight Loss eat the same supplements to prevent long-term weight gain, so you can be sure that we pick the best tasting samples. Our shakes, puddings, soups, and nutritional bars taste great and come in a variety of flavors. We carefully select the best from multiple vendors to ensure that we offer the best products.
How do I start?
We follow a strict process before recommending any type of diet or weight loss treatment. We cannot recommend any blanket solutions without understanding your current state of health. For more information, visit the Advanced Medical Weight Loss clinic in Salt Lake City to see if a VLCD is right for you. We can provide you with the tools and resources necessary to lose weight and keep it off.
The Very Low Calorie Diet Process
- Patients must have an initial exam by a provider at our clinic and an EKG before they will be prescribed a VLCD and any weight-loss medication.
- Patients meet with a diet counselor weekly to track their progress and to ensure they acclimate to the diet.
- Patients visit a medical provider once monthly, or more often if needed, to refill diet prescriptions and ensure they remain safe while dieting.
- After paying the $170 for the initial exam, patients will pay an additional $100 for their first month of the program, plus the cost of food.
- The monthly fee for continuing the VLCD is $270 and includes the weekly diet class, weekly meetings with diet counselor, a monthly visit with the doctor, and monthly safety blood work.
Our VLCD classes are held (enrollment permitting):
Wednesday @ 5:30 pm
Thursday @ 11:30 am
Saturday @ 9:00 am
