Nonsurgical Medical Weight Loss

People who are affected by obesity and have had limited success losing weight on their own may benefit from medically supervised weight loss through the Weight Management Program at NYU Langone. Our nonsurgical medical weight loss methods focus on proper nutrition, physical activity, and making healthier lifestyle choices.

We work with you and your primary care physician, exercise experts, nutritionists, psychologists, and other specialty providers as necessary. The program welcomes anyone who has a weight concern and hopes to gain a sense of control over their weight.

Please contact our locations to learn about the medical weight loss services they provide. Our main locations are:

• Weight Management Program—Manhattan
• Weight Management Program at NYU Langone Hospital—Brooklyn
• Weight Management Program at NYU Langone Hospital—Long Island

Nonmedical weight loss programs include meal replacement programs and exercise guidance.

Meal Replacement Programs

Meal replacements can be an effective tool choosing nutritionally balanced, low-calorie foods. They offer a convenient and controlled way to manage calorie intake while ensuring nutritional needs are met. These products are designed to replace one or more meals per day and are often formulated with balanced macronutrients, vitamins, and minerals to support overall health.

When used as part of a structured program, under the supervision of one of our weight management providers, meal replacements can help to achieve and maintain weight loss goals.

Medical Evaluations of Weight-Related Conditions

Many medical conditions can worsen as a person gains weight. Weight loss is often the best way to manage these conditions, which include metabolic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, and movement issues, such as osteoarthritis of the knee and osteoarthritis of the hip. We help you manage these conditions while you lose weight and optimize your overall health.

Women who have polycystic ovary syndrome or a history of gestational diabetes have unique vulnerabilities related to insulin resistance. Our providers work intensively with you to develop safe, effective meal plans that can jump-start and accelerate weight loss.

We have several options for those who need to lose weight prior to a medical procedure. We can even help people who have tried traditional diet plans but have been dissatisfied with the results.

Review of Medications

Many medications used to manage conditions such as diabetes, depression, seizure disorders, arthritis, and high blood pressure contribute to weight gain. There may be alternative medications or ways to manage these conditions that allow you to take less medicine. Our clinicians work with your primary care physician to suggest helpful strategies.

Medications for Weight Loss 

Medications that control feelings of hunger can often help you stick with a new eating plan. Medications are a tool for weight loss and work best when used as part of a comprehensive weight management plan that includes dietary changes and exercise. 

Metabolic Rate Testing

Metabolism analysis helps to determine your metabolic rate, which is a calculation based on body fat, muscle mass, age, gender, and fluid retention. Your metabolic rate helps to determine how many calories your body burns while at rest. This information is used by our experts to come up with a diet strategy focused on consuming fewer calories than you burn in a day. The testing, which uses a body composition analyzer, is quick, painless, and does not require a blood test or fasting.

Individual Meal Planning

Planning out meals in advance, awareness of the nutritional value of the foods you choose, and being accountable to your goals can be crucial for weight loss success. We teach you how to create a healthy eating plan and maintain a food diary.

Mindful Eating and Nutrition Planning

Mindful eating is a cornerstone of our care. We discuss your eating habits, what triggers eating, and how to distinguish “head hunger,” which is wanting to eat even though you are not truly hungry, from your body’s true metabolic needs. We also discuss ways to manage stress that do not include food.

Knowing how to read food labels and menus to find the best choices, as well as understanding food composition, plays a part in mindful eating. Our registered dietitians teach you how to incorporate nutritional knowledge into your busy life while also balancing your family’s food preferences.

Self-Monitoring Tools

The bathroom scale, food diaries, and label reading can all help you reach your weight loss goals and maintain a healthy weight. We help you figure out which self-monitoring tools are best for you, and how often you should use them.

Exercise Guidance

Our providers help you set exercise goals that are aligned with your current fitness level and that can be used at your local gym, at home, or in the community. We understand how difficult it can be to add regular physical activity into your busy lifestyle, so we also provide guidance that makes physical activity more enjoyable, and therefore easier to maintain as a healthy habit. Our recommendations are based on professional guidelines such as those from the American College of Sports Medicine. 

Make an Appointment

To make an appointment to learn more about our nonsurgical medical weight loss options, please schedule with one of weight loss experts.

We offer in-person follow-up appointments, or you can also choose to have an online provider visit through the NYU Langone Health app. Please check with your insurance providers about whether these online visits are covered. These video visits are not covered by insurance and must be paid out of pocket.