• Can you tell me how your program works?
• What is a Nurse Practitioner?
• What is the name of your appetite suppressant? Is it safe?
• I think I have a slow metabolism. How much weight can I lose?
• Are there any side effects from the medication?
• I suffer from Diabetes and Hypertension. Can I still be on your program?
• If I'm not hungry while on the program do I still need to eat?
• I haven't exercised in years. Can I still be successful on this program?
• My entire family is obese. I think its genetics. Can I still lose weight on this program?
• What is the cost of your program?
• I've been told that I will receive an injection. Can you tell me what it is and why I'm getting it?
• I'm fearful of receiving injections. Is it absolutely mandatory that I receive it?
• How often are the follow-up appointments?
• What does a follow-up appoint consist of?
• Do I have to schedule an appointment or do you accept walk-ins?
• I'm running low on the appetite suppressants; can I swing by and pick some up?
• How and when should I take the medications?
• Can I drink alcoholic beverages while on this program?
• Once I reach my goal weight, will I gain back all of my weight that I had lost?
• If I haven't visited your center in several months, can I come back and resume the program?
• Are there any meals that I am required to purchase on your program?
• What forms of payments do you accept?

Our program is based on counting calories. When you come in, we'll have you register and fill out a Health History Questionnaire. You will then be taken to our exam room by our friendly staff that will provide you with an orientation of our program, including education about our program. Our Nurse Practitioner, (“NP”), or Physician Assistant ("PA"), will review your medical history and perform a brief exam on you. If you're a candidate for the program, you will be given a 30 day supply of an appetite suppressant and a Vitamin injection of your choice. Our staff will then typically work with you to monitor your progress every month until you reach your desired goal weight. You are also welcome to come in sooner for Vitamin injections and other services.

Nurse Practitioners (“NP”) treat both physical and mental conditions through comprehensive history taking, physical exams, and ordering tests for interpretation. NPs can provide a diagnosis and recommendations for a wide range of acute and chronic diseases (within their scope of practice) and provide appropriate treatment for patients, including prescribing medications.  NPs can serve as a patient's primary health care provider, and see patients of all ages depending on their specialty (family, pediatrics, geriatrics, etc.). Similar to all medical professions, the core philosophy of the field is individualized care that focuses on patients' conditions as well as the effects of illness on the lives of the patients and their families. Like all medical care providers, NPs make prevention, wellness, and patient education priorities. In addition to providing health care services, NPs may conduct research and are often active in patient advocacy activities. To become licensed to practice, NP’s must be board certified in an area (such as family medicine, women's health, pediatrics, adult medicine, acute care, etc.), and are licensed through the state nursing boards. NPs must practice within the scope of their certification.

According to the International Council of Nurses, an NP/advanced practice nurse is a "Registered Nurse who has acquired the knowledge base, decision-making skills and clinical competencies for expanded practice beyond that of an RN, the characteristics of which would be determined by the context in which s/he is credentialed to practice."

Additional advanced practice RN roles include the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) s, CNMs, and CNSs.

NP’s can be educated and certified in areas of family health (FNP), Pediatrics, including Pediatric acute/Chronic care, Pediatric critical care, Pediatric Oncology and General Pediatrics (PNP), Neonatology (NNP), Gerontology (GNP), Bariatrics, Women's Health (WHNP), Psychiatry & Mental health (PMHNP), Acute care (ACNP), Adult Health (ANP), Oncology (FNP, ACNP, ANP, PNP or ANP), Emergency (as FNP or ACNP), Occupational Health (as ANP or FNP), etc. In Canada, NPs are licensed by the province or territory in which they practice.

The name of the appetite suppressant that we dispense at our center is called Phentermine. We also offer the Brand name of this medication which is called Adipex-P. These medications are safe for screened candidates; FDA approved, and have been available for over 50 years.

Average weight loss in a month is typically 8-10 pounds. There are factors that may cause you to either lose more or lose less weight. Some of these factors could include: your adherence to the program; frequency /portions of food consumed, exercise, water intake, certain medications that you may be taking, as well as various health issues, etc.

Common side effects include dry mouth, jitteriness, rapid heart rate, nervousness, and constipation. Most of these side effects will diminish over the course of a few days. We ask all patients to start with 1/2 of a tablet to help minimize the likelihood of side effects.

This program is generally safe for a majority of patients with health conditions; however, when a patient does have high blood pressure, we ask that the blood pressure be under control from their Primary Care Provider, (“PCP”). While you are on the program, we will request that you monitor your blood pressure at home daily prior to taking the appetite suppressant, and that you keep a log of your blood pressure. There are occasions in which the blood pressure is very high, which will result in us not being able to dispense the appetite suppressant. We would then advise you to go to your PCP. Once the blood pressure is under control, and if your PCP medically clears you, you can resume taking the appetite suppressant medication again. Most patients will notice as they lose weight, that their blood pressures and blood sugars generally improve. At times, this may result in a decrease in dosage or discontinuance of their blood pressure and /or diabetes medication by the PCP. We ask you to be honest about any medical conditions in which you may have. There are several medical conditions which can prevent patient's from receiving the appetite suppressant.

Often times, when taking the appetite suppressant, the sensation of wanting to eat decreases. Although the temptation to skip meals is there, it is very important that you eat. When calorie counting, if you don't eat for prolonged periods of time between meals, your metabolism may slow down, thus causing your body to store fat.The net result will be a decrease in your chances of losing weight. For individuals who don't wish to calorie-count, we highly recommend Intermittent Fasting.

Absolutely! When a patient comes in and they're either deconditioned or fatigued, we will ask them to focus on the eating aspect of the plan for the first month. Once a patient looses 5-10 pounds, they become more energetic and motivated. That is when we encourage the addition of simple exercises to their weight loss program (i.e. walking) 3-4 days per week until they are able to gradually work up to 4 days /week of exercise. Most people are astonished to see that they become more energetic and begin getting more strength and stamina!

Although genetics can definitely influence the likelihood of developing potential medical problems for people, studies have shown that losing weight and developing a healthy lifestyle can decrease your chances of developing certain conditions. This program is ideal for these types of patients.

The cost of our program depends on whether you prefer “Generic vs. Brand" medication and also which vitamin injection you receive. Our prices vary depending on the combination of medication and vitamin injection that you receive. There is a non-refundable consultation fee of $25.00 which will be collected prior to receiving the orientation. If you choose to proceed with the program, the money will be applied towards the cost of the visit. If for any medical reason you are not a candidate (per the provider) for the program, you will be refunded your money. If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office.

We offer is a Vitamin B12 injection which provides our patients with the following benefits:

1. Vitamin B12 is needed to convert carbohydrates into glucose in the body, thus leading to energy production and a decrease in fatigue and lethargy in the body.
2. Vitamin B12 helps in healthy regulation of the nervous system, reducing depression, stress, and brain shrinkage.
3. Vitamin B12 maintains a healthy digestive system. It also protects against heart disease by curbing and controlling unhealthy cholesterol levels, protecting against stroke, and high blood pressure.
4. Vitamin B12 is essential for healthy skin, hair, and nails. It helps in cell reproduction and constant renewal of the skin.
5. Vitamin B12 is scientifically proven to help protect against cancers including breast, colon, lung, and prostate cancer.

Make sure that your body is getting enough Vitamin B12 by incorporating these foods into your diet: liver, meat, eggs, milk, cheese, and some varieties of fish.

Receiving the Vitamin B12 injection is included in the cost of the visit but is not mandatory. Potential reactions to the Vitamin B12 injection may include pain or burning while receiving the injection, headache, nausea, and occasional bruising at the site of the injection.

Follow up appointments vary with each individual. Most of our patients will follow-up in one month. Some patients continue to take half a pill; therefore, their follow-up would be every two months. We encourage every patient to take a Phentermine/Adipex break every three months. Never stop a whole pill abruptly. Taper dose to half a pill for 4-5 days, then stop taking it for 4 weeks to allow the body to rest from stimulants.

We have patients that enjoy coming in every 2-3 weeks to receive our vitamin Injections from our Vitamin Injection Cocktail Bar. Come in and try it!

Follow-up appointments are necessary due to the fact that these are controlled medications. We will check you in, weigh you, check your progress using the BMI calculation, check your blood pressure, answer any of your questions and concerns, reinforce behavioral changes related to nutrition and exercise, give you the vitamin B12 injection (or vitamin injection of your choice), and a 30 day supply of the appetite suppressant.

We accept appointments as well as walk-in patients. We are very flexible and do our best to accommodate people’s schedules.

Because it is a controlled medication, it is necessary to have a follow-up visit before we can dispense a refill of the medication.

We ask that our patients always start with 1/2 a tablet for at least a week prior to increasing the dose to one entire pill. No more than one pill is indicated per day. Every 3 months, we instruct patients to take a Phentermine break. This will be discussed with the provider during your visits.

Alcohol is allowed on this program; however, please keep in mind that alcohol contains calories. Please do not take the Phentermin/Adipex concurrently with alcohol. Wait several hours after taking the appetite suppressant before drinking alcohol.

Please Note: We encourage making wise choices; Example: instead of having a Margarita which is 750 calories; why not try a  vodka soda, which is made from vodka and soda water. One fluid ounce of vodka contains 64 calories.

At approximately 25 calories per ounce, an average glass of wine is about 150 calories.  A wine spritzer, however, typically contains only three ounces of wine, coming in at only 75 calories.

Many patients often ask this question. As with any program, you are educated on how to eat properly, decrease your portion sizes, exercise, and drink plenty of water. Sometimes, when people get to their goal weight, they forget that this is a lifestyle change and revert to their old behavior patterns and habits. Some examples of this process include skipping meals/snacks, eating larger portions, not drinking enough water, excessive alcohol intake, lacking on their exercise regimen, etc. At New Beginnings Weight Loss Center, we encourage that our patients never abruptly stop their appetite suppressants. When it comes down to you getting closer to your desired goal weight, we will instruct you on how to taper off of the medication and adjust your caloric intake accordingly. We strive to help our patients succeed in their weight loss journey.

Absolutely!! You are always welcome to come to New Beginnings Weight Loss Center. We know that situations occur in life that may affect your weight. We are here to help you succeed. If you ever have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call us.

No, there are never any prepackaged foods to purchase. We believe that patients should make healthy decisions as to what they would like to eat. By providing you with the right tools, you will be able to purchase your foods at the grocery store and incorporate fresh, healthy options into your lifestyle.

We accept cash as well as credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, and Discover). We do not accept checks or American Express at this time.