Medical weight loss

Happy woman on scale
  • Medical weight loss combines diet, exercise, behavioral support and medications to help you lose weight without surgery.
  • The Revive & Thrive program guides you through a 12-week weight loss plan and ongoing maintenance for long-term results.
  • Access to a multidisciplinary care team — including a bariatrician, dietitian, psychologist and personal trainer — supports personalized success.

Medical weight loss at NKC Health Total Weight Loss is a personalized, nonsurgical program that combines nutrition, exercise, behavioral support and medication options to help you lose weight and keep it off.

What is medical weight loss management?

Medical weight loss management offers a nonsurgical option to help you achieve your weight loss goals. It is a combination of nonsurgical weight loss solutions that include changes in nutrition, activity and behaviors, combined with weight loss drugs, if needed.

At NKC Health Total Weight Loss, your medical weight loss team includes expertise and support from a:

  • Medical weight loss doctor, called a bariatrician\
  • Psychologist
  • Registered dietitian
  • Certified personal trainer

We offer both a base weight loss program and an intensive weight loss program. For the base program, you’ll meet with a bariatrician and registered dietitian for an initial consultation and evaluation. Follow-up visits may be scheduled as needed. You might also meet with our psychologist.

The intensive program is called Revive & Thrive. Revive is the initial 12-week program; Thrive is the follow-up program after you lose weight.

Medical weight loss requirements 

You may be a good candidate for medical weight loss management if you’ve tried unsuccessfully to lose weight or you’ve lost weight but find it hard to maintain that weight loss over time.

In addition, candidates for our medical weight loss management program must have:

  • A body mass index (BMI) of 25 or greater 
    OR
  • Insulin resistance or another obesity-related health condition
  • Waist circumference greater than 35 inches (women) or 40 inches (men)

Calculate body mass index (BMI)

Revive & Thrive Program at Total Weight Loss

Revive

Revive is our 12-week medical weight loss program. The goal is to lose 5% of your body weight.

At your first visit, we’ll gather information to create a customized weight loss plan for you. We’ll evaluate your overall health and review any lab work. We’ll go over meal planning, especially carbohydrate recommendations, and discuss weight loss medication options. In addition, we’ll conduct several tests, including:

  • Behavioral health assessment
  • Body composition analysis
  • Fitness assessment

Over the next 12 weeks, you will:

  • Meet monthly with a registered dietitian
  • Have three visits with a psychologist
  • Have weekly Zoom sessions with a personal trainer who designs an exercise program just for you

You’ll also attend monthly or bimonthly education classes led by a registered dietitian or psychologist. Topics include:

  • Emotional hunger and mindfulness
  • Learning the benefits of the MyPlate metho
  • Meal planning and prep
  • Strategies for breaking old eating habits

During the 12-week program, you’ll have access to the NKC Health Fitness Center at a discounted rate and bariatric fitness classes at an additional cost. You will also have access to our Baritastic app for food and exercise tracking.

Thrive 

Losing weight is half the battle. Keeping it off is just as important. After you complete the Revive Program, we help you maintain and enjoy your new, healthier lifestyle through our Thrive Program.

As part of Thrive, you will meet with our medical weight loss physician, registered dietitian and psychologist every six months. We’re also available between appointments for an additional fee.

When you’re enrolled in Thrive, you’ll have access to exercise classes via Zoom, a monthly support group and continued access to our Baritastic app for nutritional tracking and dietary support.

Weight loss medication

As part of your program, weight loss medications may be an option. Types of medications range from weight loss pills to weight loss injections. Weekly weight loss shots may include:

  • Semaglutide (Ozempic for diabetes or Wegovy for weight loss)
  • Tirzepatide (Mounjaro for diabetes or Zepbound for weight loss)

Your bariatrician will discuss a possible prescription for weight loss medication with you and help you figure out the best fit for you and your goals.

Medications can also be used in conjunction with bariatric surgery to maximize results.

Medical weight loss financing

We work with many types of insurance. We will be happy to submit a claim to your insurance company on your behalf. See accepted insurance options.

Before your first appointment at the NKC Health Total Weight Loss, call your insurance company to verify your benefits for medical weight loss management. Everyone’s plan is different, and we can’t estimate what your plan may reimburse.

Payment is due at the time of service. We accept cash, check or Visa/MasterCard.

Weight loss education videos 

To learn more about medical weight loss, check out this four-part series presented by the Total Weight Loss team.

Medical weight loss

Explore how medical weight loss can help you manage your weight without surgery.
Led by Breann Kelley, MD, DABOM, bariatrician

Revive your nutrition

Learn how eating lean protein, healthy fats and fiber-rich foods promotes weight loss and keeps you satisfied.

Behavioral habit busters

Discover how developing new habits and breaking old ones can help you achieve your weight loss goals.

Led by Amelia Harris, PsyD

Thrive in a healthy lifestyle

Pick up tips and tricks on how to navigate your new, healthier lifestyle.

Led by Becky Hager, RD, LD, CPT, registered dietitian

Where can I find medical weight loss near me?
NKC Health Total Weight Loss offers medical weight loss management and is conveniently located on the NKC Health hospital campus in the Kansas City metro area. Our address is 2790 Clay Edwards Drive, Suite 600.

Who is a good candidate for medical weight loss?
People with a BMI of 25 or more, insulin resistance, obesity-related health conditions or difficulty maintaining weight loss are good candidates for medical weight loss.

What is the Revive & Thrive program?
NKC Health Total Weight Loss offers this structured program with a 12-week initial phase (Revive) and ongoing maintenance (Thrive) for long-term weight management.

Do I need surgery for medical weight loss?
No, this program is non-surgical, though medications may be used to support weight loss.

How often will I meet with the care team at the Total Weight Loss?
During Revive, meetings are weekly or monthly, depending on the specialist. During Thrive, visits occur every six months, with ongoing support available.

Does insurance cover medical weight loss?
Many plans are accepted, but coverage varies. Total Weight Loss can submit claims, but patients should verify benefits beforehand.