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Frequently Asked Questions

What is obesity and overweight?

Obesity and overweight are defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as “abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health.” WHO goes on to state that the issue has grown to epidemic proportions, with over 4 million people dying each year as a result of being overweight or obese in 2017 according to the global burden of disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) uses body mass index (BMI), or a person’s weight in kilograms divided by the square of their height in meters, to measure obesity. Individuals with a BMI of over 25 are considered to have overweight and over 30 or higher are considered to have obesity. While BMI can be used as an initial tool to screen for obesity, it does have limitations. The WHO recognizes these limitations, stating that BMI is only “a crude population measure of obesity.”

What causes obesity?

Obesity is a medical disease that occurs when a person’s body accumulates and stores excessive amounts of body fat. There are many factors that contribute to obesity, including:

  • Genetics: Studies suggest genetics contribute to 40-70% of obesity. There are thousands of different genes associated with obesity, and some genetic mutations are known to directly cause obesity. However, possessing genes that predispose you to obesity does not mean developing the disease is inevitable.
  • Nutrition: Growing evidence shows that not all calories are created equal. Certain foods, such as refined carbohydrates and unhealthy saturated fats, contribute in greater proportion to obesity.
  • Hormones: Abnormalities in several biological pathways are involved in obesity. Insulin resistance, which causes the body not to process sugar properly, has been heavily implicated in obesity.
  • Medication: Many prescription medications are associated with weight gain, including most antidepressants, steroids, contraceptives, and medications for the treatment of diabetes, hypertension, migraines, seizures, bi-polar disorder, allergies, insomnia and more.
  • Environment: Family, culture, and even where you live can have a significant impact on developing obesity.
  • Sleep: Disrupted sleep and sleeping for less than 7 hours or more than 9 hours can cause obesity. Obesity is also associated with sleep apnea, which is a breathing condition that can hinder an individual from getting quality sleep.Obesity is a medical disease that occurs when a person’s body accumulates and stores excessive amounts of body fat. There are many factors that contribute to obesity, including:
    • Genetics: Studies suggest genetics contribute to 40-70% of obesity. There are thousands of different genes associated with obesity, and some genetic mutations are known to directly cause obesity. However, possessing genes that predispose you to obesity does not mean developing the disease is inevitable.
    • Nutrition: Growing evidence shows that not all calories are created equal. Certain foods, such as refined carbohydrates and unhealthy saturated fats, contribute in greater proportion to obesity.
    • Hormones: Abnormalities in several biological pathways are involved in obesity. Insulin resistance, which causes the body not to process sugar properly, has been heavily implicated in obesity.
    • Medication: Many prescription medications are associated with weight gain, including most antidepressants, steroids, contraceptives, and medications for the treatment of diabetes, hypertension, migraines, seizures, bi-polar disorder, allergies, insomnia and more.
    • Environment: Family, culture, and even where you live can have a significant impact on developing obesity.
    • Sleep: Disrupted sleep and sleeping for less than 7 hours or more than 9 hours can cause obesity. Obesity is also associated with sleep apnea, which is a breathing condition that can hinder an individual from getting quality sleep.
How is Albidaya Wellness different from other weight loss options?

Albidaya Wellness is a comprehensive medical weight loss solution that also addresses your emotional, mental, physical, and nutritional needs. We prescribe FDA-approved medications, as appropriate, along with personalized support from weight loss experts to help you achieve your weight loss and health goals.

Albidaya Wellness’ program is delivered entirely through telehealth without the inconvenience of office visits! You’ll have regular video visits with your doctor and support from your team through messaging and email.

Does Albidaya Wellness also offer in-person appointments?

No, our appointments are delivered entirely through telehealth, so you won’t have any of the hassles of office visits. Albidaya Wellness does not have any physical locations but offers weight loss management in the state of Texas. You’ll have regular video visits with your physician to discuss treatment including nutrition, medications, and more. You will have support from your team through messaging, and access to educational tools through our platform.

Telehealth weight loss programs have been found to increase the likelihood of following the program given the ease of scheduling and attending appointments. Increased adherence leads to increased success. Your success!

Do you take insurance?

We do not take insurance plans at this time. In addition to personalized care, Albidaya Wellness aims to reduce the financial burden on you, our patients. We do this by helping you obtain better health and also through affordable and transparent costs. You only have to pay for the care that you receive. There is no “Fee for Service” billing (FFS) or third parties involved to inflate medical expenses. 

Although we are NOT contracted with insurance companies, on request, we can provide you with an insurance-coded, itemized receipt, which you may send directly to your insurance company for reimbursement. 

All patients may pay by either cash, check, Visa, American Express, MasterCard, or Discover.

Will I need to pay out of pocket for my medications?

Please note, that all prescriptions are covered by your insurance plan exactly the same as if written by a doctor who is contracted with your plan. If you require a prescription refill or prior authorization please call your pharmacy and have them fax a request to 888-719-7861.

Why is obesity a disease?

Obesity was first recognized as a disease in 1948 by the World Health Organization (WHO). In the United States, the American Medical Association (AMA) recognized obesity as a disease in 2013. This is important because obesity has long been a topic of bias and stigma. While public perception is slowly shifting, many people, including healthcare professionals, still assume that obesity is the individual’s fault, solely the result of them eating too much and moving too little. Recognizing obesity as a disease, educates healthcare professionals and the public that it is far more complex than that. Obesity is not a personal choice. Obesity is a disease caused by a complex interplay among genetics, the environment, and many other factors. Further, recent studies have demonstrated that there are 236 other diseases impacted by obesity, 13 of which are cancers.
The recognition of obesity as a disease allows us to research interventions to prevent obesity and implement evidence-based treatments with those who are affected by obesity. These treatments include behavioral and nutritional interventions, medical treatment, and even surgery. The recognition of obesity as a disease also distinguishes obesity as something to be taken seriously; for most people suffering with obesity, simply eating less and moving more will not result in sustainable long-term weight loss.
A person is no more at fault for developing obesity than they are at fault for developing heart disease or high blood pressure. A person with obesity deserves the same respect and compassionate healthcare.

What is obesity medicine?

Obesity medicine is the field of medicine dedicated to the comprehensive care of patients with obesity. Obesity medicine combines science-based medicine with individualized obesity treatment, resulting in improved health outcomes for patients and career satisfaction for healthcare providers. Obesity Medicine Association (OMA) members are physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and other healthcare providers who take a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to treating obesity. This approach is comprised of nutrition, physical activity, behavior, and medication – OMA’s four pillars.

How do I know if I qualify for your services?

• You must be 18 years of age or older.
• You must have a BMI of 30+ or 27+ with weight-related health risks. Weight-related medical problems include type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, and hypertension.
• You must have a Primary Care Physician and have visited them within the last 12 months.
• Certain medical conditions are not compatible with our program. We will ask about these during the enrollment process. For your medical safety, it’s important that you provide accurate and complete information at all times.

Do I need a doctor referral to enroll in your program?

You do not need a doctor referral to enroll at Albidaya Wellness. However, we do recommend that people who enroll have an active relationship with a Primary Care Professional.  We plan to be in communication with their office once you sign up in order to obtain medical records, which is part of ensuring that we get to know you and your medical history very well, and vital to ensuring your safety. We also believe that it is important for your primary care provider to be informed on all aspects of your health, so we aim to provide them with regular updates on your participation in our practice and medical care we are providing.

Why do I need to have a Primary Care Provider prior to enrolling?

Albidaya Wellness is a medical weight loss program delivered entirely through telehealth. While telehealth is a great way to deliver medical care, especially medical weight loss, it limits our ability to perform a physical examination, an important component for evaluating overall health. 

We require you to have had a primary care visit in the last 12 months to ensure that you have a recent, complete evaluation of your health. When you join our program, you will sign a medical records release that allows us to obtain your most recent records from your Primary Care Provider (PCP). This information provides our physicians with the comprehensive information they need in order to safely provide you with a treatment plan. 

We also require you to have an ongoing relationship with a PCP in the event that we identify issues during your weight loss journey that are not directly related to your metabolic health. In those cases, we need to work closely with your PCP to be sure you get the evaluation, treatment and follow up you need. Communicating and partnering with your primary care team is a way to provide you with coordinated, safe and comprehensive care.

What is direct care (self-pay) and why should I choose it?

As health insurance gets increasingly confusing, expensive, and frustrating, new models of care are rising. Patients without health insurance, or those tired of paying skyrocketing monthly premiums, are turning to direct patient care as an option to afford medical care.

 

In the direct care model, a fixed rate determined by your provider is requested for a specific service. These rates are usually determined based on years of experience, additional training, and certifications as well as market research for your area. These visits are NOT billed through insurance.

 

Opting for direct care allows you to create a plan that fits your lifestyle, whether that means receiving care multiple times per week, once a week, or once a month! In addition, you are able receive your appointments via a virtual visit from the comfort of your own home. At Albidaya Wellness, we take pride in being able to offer same or next day visits. In addition visits are usually longer and allow you to have a more comfortable and thorough visit. In traditional health insurance plans, many doctors don’t provide this much accessibility.

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Effective Weight-loss

We Can Help You Lose Excess Weight Permanently 

Have you tried to lose weight on your own? You may have already tried several diets and fads that promise quick weight loss, but you didn’t see the results you hoped for?

You don’t know what to believe anymore since there is so much weight loss information out there. Sound familiar, doesn’t it? If so, you should work with a professional.

Proper nutrition is important to staying healthy and for general well-being

Through education and individualized plans, we empower patients to take charge of their lives

Our experts can help get you on a path toward a healthy lifestyle!

Customized Treatment

How Our Methods Can Help You

Using medical weight loss methods we can help you to achieve over 20% weight loss compared to just 5-7% experienced with non-medical methods

Free 15 min consultation

If you have questions about weight loss a 15 min consultation is perfect for you to ask any and all weight loss related questions and learn how the process works.

Customized goals

There isn't a one size fits all plan for everyone. We shape your treatment to focus on your personal goals and realistic expectations for your weight loss.

Nutritional help

One main goal is to create a healthy lifestyle through creating a healthy diet for your lifestyle.

Convenience

Gain access to all our services from the comfort of your home. We offer TeleHealth solutions to make your weight loss journey more convenient.

Effective medical methods

At Albidaya Wellness your physician will use science backed methods to help you lose weight.

Experienced professionals

One on one access to an Obesity Medicine certified medical doctor.

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