Accelerated Medical Weight Loss: Am I a Candidate?

If you’ve been trying to lose weight and feel like you’ve tried everything, from trendy diets to gym memberships that collect dust, we know it can be frustrating. For many people, weight loss journeys are plagued with plateaus and fraught with roadblocks.

That’s where accelerated medical weight loss comes in.

This isn’t just another diet. It’s a doctor-supervised program designed to help you lose weight quickly, safely, and in a way that supports long-term success. But are you a candidate?

Meridith Womick, MD, and our team of doctors and health coaches at the Metabolic Medical Center want to help everyone achieve their weight loss goals. Here’s everything you should know about how accelerated medical weight loss works and whether or not you might be a good candidate.

A closer look at accelerated medical weight loss

Accelerated medical weight loss is a structured, customized program led by healthcare professionals, typically involving clinical support, nutrition planning, activity guidance, and, in most cases, medication or supplements.

It does involve eating a low-calorie diet, but instead of just slashing your food intake, we curate meal plans that provide all the nutrition your body needs to run properly in a low-calorie state. 

The goal is to jumpstart your weight loss with rapid (but safe and sustainable) results. Programs typically include the following basic services:

• Prescription weight loss medications
• Meal replacements 
• Weekly check-ins and progress tracking
• Lab work and body composition analysis
• Behavior coaching or mindset support

During your program, you meet regularly with our team, allowing us to monitor your progress and support you throughout every step of your weight loss journey. 

Once your program is over, we help you transition to a Maintenance Plan, with a healthy, balanced diet and life-long habits. 

The ideal candidate

This type of weight loss program isn’t right for everyone. We thoroughly evaluate your health history, current weight loss struggles, and health goals to make sure it’s a good fit for you. Here are some of the other boxes you should check. 

You haven’t had success with traditional methods

If you’ve tried diet and exercise on your own without lasting results, a medically guided program may offer the structure, accountability, and expert insight you need to break through plateaus.

You want faster results for a specific reason

Maybe you’re preparing for surgery, trying to improve fertility, or facing a major life event. Accelerated programs can help you see progress quickly, often within the first few weeks.

You’re ready to commit to a structured plan

These programs are designed to be short-term and intensive, but they do require commitment. If you’re ready to follow the plan, show up for appointments, and make changes, you’ll likely do well.

Accelerated medical weight loss may not be the best option if:

• You’re pregnant or breastfeeding
• You have certain unmanaged medical conditions
• You’re not able or willing to follow a structured plan right now

Don’t worry. There’s something for everyone at the Metabolic Medical Center. We offer a wide range of services that take a more gradual approach, like our health coaching services, metabolic weight loss programs, and whole foods weight loss plans. 

I’m a candidate — what should I expect?

Many participants lose 15-20 pounds or more in the first month, depending on their starting weight and the prescribed plan. But it’s not just about the scale. Other benefits often include:

• Better energy
• Improved sleep
• Reduced joint pain
• Lower blood pressure or blood sugar
• Greater confidence and motivation

And because we’re overseeing your plan, we can make adjustments along the way to keep your body healthy and your results on track.

Accelerated medical weight loss isn’t a magic solution, but it is a powerful tool when you’re ready to take control of your health with expert guidance.

If you’re tired of struggling on your own, this type of program could be the push you need to finally see real, lasting results. The best way to find out? Schedule a consultation with one of our medical weight loss specialists who can assess your goals, your health history, and your readiness for change.

We proudly serve patients in Mount Pleasant, Charleston, Murrells Inlet, Columbia, and Bluffton, South Carolina.