Obesity Medicine and Metabolic Performance​

Chronic diseases need consistent long-term care. Just like diabetes, obesity is a chronic disease, and the relationship established between you and your COMMP Team lasts a lifetime. For the first two months, you will visit our center every week, alternating your visits between our physicians and registered dietitians. After two months, your visits are spaced out to fit your schedule and we develop the plan together to help you succeed at long-term weight maintenance.

While weight loss varies for each person, based on clinical studies in obesity, we typically expect to see you lose 1-1.5% of your body weight per week, which is both safe and sustainable. For example if you weigh 200lbs that is 2-3 pounds per week.

For some of our patients with obesity or overweight issues and certain medical conditions, anti-obesity medications are prescribed. These medications work to interrupt pathways in your body that drive obesity. This may include different areas of the brain to increase satiety, decrease hunger, and, in some cases, reduce cravings, as well as changes in other metabolic and hormonal pathways. We encourage all patients to discuss anti-obesity medications with your COMMP obesity medicine specialist. Together we can determine which choice is best for you. Please note that some insurance providers may not cover the cost of medications. We encourage all our patients to review the list of commonly prescribed medications that you will be given at your New To COMMP class and verify coverage prior to your first physician visit.

Each patient’s treatment plan is individualized. Some of our patients elect to utilize meal replacements due to the demands of their lifestyle and ease of preparation, especially when first starting out. Our ultimate goal is for our patients to meet nutrition requirements using as much whole food as possible. Meal-replacements can be purchased at clinic and our team can also provide suggestions for meal replacements that can be purchased at the grocery store. During your first goal-setting visit or at any time, patients are encouraged to discuss if meal replacements are best for your individualized nutrition plan with both your registered dietitian and physicians. ¹

We carry several snack and meal replacement products ranging from soups, cereals, bars, shakes, crackers, and more. Each product is high protein, low carbohydrate, and fortified with nutrients to meet your nutritional needs when used in substitution, or addition to whole foods. We will go over a list of products that we offer at your first visit. For additional questions please call 713-486-1330. ¹

Your obesity medicine physician and dietitian will work with you if your work schedule, life schedule, commute or other time constraints do not permit weekly visits. However, we encourage you to try and make every scheduled visit,as it will help with your weight and health goals.

Surgery is an important option for some patients that struggle with their weight. COMMP provides non-surgical treatment of obesity. Because COMMP is housed within the Department of Surgery at UTHealth, our providers can easily refer patients to see our bariatric surgeons at UT Physicians. In addition, we often see patients following bariatric surgery for continued obesity management

Of course. It is not uncommon for patients to regain weight following bariatric surgery. Recent studies indicate that patients who have undergone bariatric surgery demonstrate improved outcomes when their surgical intervention is combined with anti-obesity medication. The team at COMMP can help you get back on track.

While you will see the team at COMMP more frequently than your primary care provider (PCP), the medical care we provide is not a substitute for other chronic disease care, sick visits, or your annual physical exam. All our patients are encouraged to maintain a relationship with their PCP. As obesity medicine specialists, we are comfortable managing obesity and any weight related conditions. In some cases, some medications prescribed by your PCP will need to be adjusted or discontinued. We want to collaborate with your PCP as your medication needs change. At COMMP, we strive to keep your PCP updated on your weight loss journey.

All patients are responsible for a $150 program fee due at the time of attending the New to COMMP class. The physician and dietitian visits are covered by most insurance providers (including Medicare). You will be responsible for your co-pay (if any) prior to any visit. At this time, COMMP does not accept Medicaid. For further information, please refer to the Billing and Insurance.