Weight Management & Obesity (Adult) Program

Obesity affects over 40% of the US population. It is a complex metabolic disease that occurs due to our genetic make-up and environmental forces. 

As an individual’s Body Mass Index (BMI) rises above 25 (the cut-point is lower in some racial/ethnic populations), the risk of developing other health conditions increases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and some cancers.

The U-M Health Weight Management Program is a 2-year, highly structured, multi-disciplinary and multi-component lifestyle intervention that helps individuals lose weight, keep it off, and reverse their underlying associated health conditions, or prevents them from developing. We are dedicated to educating, motivating, and empowering individuals to make healthy lifestyle choices.

Rewind logo

Patients with type 2 diabetes or other health conditions that are associated with overweight or obesity can also benefit from our unique collaboration with Rewind, combining proven science with expert clinical care, coaching and team support. 

Together, we are focused on helping patients improve health by losing weight and keeping it off.

Program Requirements

*Please note: This is a clinical and research program with restricted admittance. Patients must meet certain eligibility criteria. 

Patients are accepted and enrolled into program after comprehensive review by the multidisciplinary team.  

All patients must meet one of the following BMI criteria:

  • A BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2-50 kg/m2
  • If Asian, a BMI ≥ 27 kg/m2-50 kg/m2
  • If BMI is > 50 kg/m2, patient or the referring physician may request a review by the REWIND/WMP physician

Please use this BMI chart to find your BMI or use a standard BMI calculator found on the internet.

Principles of the Clinic

Our approach is scientific, and evidence based. We believe in personalized medicine, not a “one-size-fits-all” approach. Many factors impact losing weight and keeping that weight off. We take an integrated approach to weight management by:

  • Assisting patients in achieving a healthy, sustainable diet
  • Providing guidance in increasing physical activity
  • When appropriate, prescribing medications to help promote further weight loss and maintenance of weight loss

Costs

It is the patient’s responsibility to determine if Weight Management Program services are a covered benefit under your health plan

You must have BCBSM*, Blue Care Network, HAP or Priority Health to participate in this program. Costs for meal replacements that are used as part of the individual weight loss program are the responsibility of the patient and are NOT covered by insurance. Some flexible spending accounts allow you to deduct the costs of meal replacement.

In addition, patients may be responsible for insurance co-pays for visits and prescription medications. 

Overview of the Program

The program has two key components.

  • Diet - Patients are prescribed a very-low calorie diet that includes meal replacements during the first 12 weeks. Typical weight loss ranges between 15-25% from baseline weight.  Following this initial period, patients will be transitioned to a low-calorie diet using everyday foods tailored to their personal preferences. We provide education, counseling, guidance, and behavioral support and use evidence-based strategies to facilitate long-term weight loss.
  • Physical Activity - Patients are required to perform 40 minutes of light to moderate physical activity per day (can be divided into 10-minute intervals) during the first 3 months and are graduated to a greater intensity and duration during the weight maintenance phase. 

Application Steps

  1. Review the orientation. If you feel you are eligible for this program, the next steps are:
  2. Obtain a referral from your primary care physician. Your provider can send the referral to the clinic directly. 
    FAX: 734-998-1439
    EMAIL:  [email protected]
    MAILING ADDRESS: 
    Domino’s Farms, Lobby C, Ste 1300
    Attn:  MEND – WM
    24 Frank Lloyd Wright Drive
    Ann Arbor, MI  48106-0451
  3. Schedule your appointment by calling 866-266-5221 or 734-647-5871.

Research Opportunities

As part of regular program evaluation, we offer you the opportunity to participate in our research. The research component is completely voluntary. If you decide not to participate in research, your care will not be affected. 

Part of the research evaluation will provide us with scientific information on your metabolism, psychology, and other aspects of your biology so that we can provide you with the appropriate tools to lose weight and, more importantly, to maintain a healthier weight. These studies will be performed at no cost to you. 

Current studies include:

You and your physician will decide which study is best suited for you during your assessment visit.

Michigan Medicine is dedicated to patient care as well as developing new knowledge. We look forward to working with you. If you have questions about the research component, please contact our research associate at 734-232-3587 or [email protected]. 

Our Care Team

Our staff of experienced providers are dedicated to the evaluation and treatment of individuals with obesity:

Physicians:

Dieticians:

  • Catherine Nay, M.Ed, R.D., C.S.O.W.M, C.H.E.S.
  • Megan Brown, M.P.H, R.D.
  • Sarah Irving, R.D.
  • Nicole Miller, M.P.H., R.D. (Senior Research Associate)

Our research is sponsored by the Michigan Nutrition and Obesity Research Center, of which Randy Seeley, Ph.D., Professor of Surgery, is Director.

Publications

Below are links to PDF articles published in peer-reviewed medical journals about our research program and our patients' successes:

Contact Us

Phone: (734) 647-5871 or 866-266-5221 (toll-free)

Fax: 734-998-1439