At the CU Medicine Weight Management and Wellness Clinic, weight management is approached as a healthcare journey tailored to each patient’s needs. Led by a team of leading experts in obesity medicine, the clinic combines the latest research with patient-centered care to offer a comprehensive approach to weight management. With a deep understanding of the complexities of obesity, the clinic’s medical providers offer personalized solutions that prioritize sustainable, science-backed strategies to help patients achieve their weight and health goals.
“Our patients are often told by society that their weight is their fault,” explains Rachel Fleming, Clinic Business and Operations Manager. “However, research has shown that obesity is a complex medical disease, often paired with other comorbidities. Our providers focus on offering patient-centric care that supports weight loss, not assigning blame.”
Instead of relying on one-size-fits-all solutions, the clinic offers a tailored plan that considers each patient’s unique medical history and health goals. “The care we provide at CU Medicine Weight Management and Wellness Clinic is rooted in science,” Fleming adds.
Collaborative Support for Lasting Success
The CU Medicine Weight Management and Wellness Clinic offers a full spectrum of services designed to support patients in achieving sustainable weight management, including:
Weight Loss Medications
The medical providers at the clinic take a personalized approach to weight management, focusing on lifestyle modification and incorporating evidence-based use of FDA-approved anti-obesity medications (AOMs) when appropriate. As part of a comprehensive treatment plan, these AOMs are carefully tailored to support each patient’s unique needs.
Nutritional Counseling with a Registered Dietitian
Registered dietitians offer personalized nutrition counseling to help patients cultivate healthier eating habits. These one-on-one sessions focus on developing balanced meal plans, practicing portion control, and making long-term, sustainable food choices. The clinic also offers a range of behavioral health support services, including counseling and therapy, to help patients address issues such as emotional eating, stress management, and motivation.
Behavioral Health and Stress Eating Workshops
Dr. Liz Chamberlain, the clinic’s Licensed Clinical Psychologist, provides behavioral health support for patients in the clinic. Patients can schedule individual sessions with Dr. Chamberlain or participate in a series of interactive stress eating workshops. These evidence-based workshops offer practical tools and strategies to help build sustainable habits for successful weight management. Led by Dr. Chamberlain, the sessions include:
Snaccidents and How to Tame Them: A workshop on overcoming mindless eating.
Stress Eating Workshop: Learn alternatives to recognize and manage difficult emotions without turning to food.
Hacking Habits: Discover effective strategies to build lasting, rewarding habits.
These workshops are designed to provide effective strategies for managing triggers and developing healthier eating habits. To learn more about these workshops, visit here.
Body Composition and Analysis
To create individualized care plans, the clinic offers specialized testing to help patients understand their metabolism and body composition beyond what a standard scale can measure.
- BOD POD® Body Composition Testing provides an assessment of percent fat mass and fat-free mass, offering valuable insights into body composition changes over time.
- Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) Testing measures the number of calories burned at rest, helping providers tailor dietary and activity recommendations to each patient’s metabolic needs.
- FibroScan® Assessments evaluate liver health, particularly for patients at risk of metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), a common concern in individuals with obesity and metabolic disorders.
These assessments provide critical insights into a patient’s overall health, enabling the medical team to develop more precise, personalized treatment plans. “Patients who are curious about these tests should speak with their provider to determine whether they’d be beneficial for their care,” Fleming adds. To learn more about these services and book an appointment, visit the website here.
Accessible Care, Including Telehealth Options
To accommodate busy schedules and diverse patient needs, the clinic offers both in person and telehealth appointments for telehealth appointments, patients must be physically located in Colorado at the time of their visit.
The clinic is proud to be part of many health insurance networks, including Medicaid, Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans. Patients are encouraged to contact their insurance provider to verify in-network status and coverage. For those without insurance, the clinic offers self-pay and other discount options.
Leading the Way in Obesity Research and Care
The CU Medicine Weight Management and Wellness Clinic stays at the cutting edge of obesity medicine. Ongoing research at the Anschutz Health and Wellness Center, which houses the CU Medicine Weight Management and Wellness Clinic contributes to advancements in the field of obesity medicine an provides opportunities for clinic patient to participate in weight management research studies.
"The integration of research findings into our clinical practice allows us to stay ahead in the field of weight management," says Dr. Victoria Catenacci, Medical Director of the CU Medicine Weight Management and Wellness Clinic. "Our patients benefit from therapies that are scientifically validated and tailored to their individual needs."
The clinic is also closely connected to the Colorado Obesity Medicine Fellowship Program at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, led by Dr. Daniel Bessesen. The program trains physicians in obesity care, including lifestyle therapy, pharmacotherapy, endoscopic treatments, and bariatric surgery management. Fellows gain hands-on experience while developing skills in counseling and behavior change.
“We are crafting a new specialty of medicine that is going to have a huge impact on the whole country,” says Dr. Bessesen. “Obesity medicine will continue to evolve drastically, and we are proud to be involved in building the foundation.” This fellowship is vital in training the next generation of physicians to advance obesity treatment and improve patient outcomes.
The CU Medicine Weight Management and Wellness Clinic’s approach to weight management is built on a foundation of expertise, compassion, and science. With a dedicated team of medical professionals, registered dietitians, and licensed clinical psychologists, the clinic provides a comprehensive, personalized approach that addresses the physical and emotional aspects of weight management. By integrating the latest research with patient-centered care, the clinic is committed to supporting each individual’s long-term health and wellness journey, empowering patients to achieve sustainable, positive outcomes.
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