Medical Weight Loss Management Program at Columbia
If you are struggling to maintain a healthy weight and would like to explore nonsurgical treatment options, there are now FDA-approved medications that can help. The Medical Weight Loss Management Program at Columbia can provide the support you need to learn about these new medications and decide if they are right for you.
- We offer thoughtful medication management for weight loss, including GIP and GLP-1 Receptor Agonist medications, and can help you decide which treatment works best for you.
- These medications must be taken regularly to maintain their effect. Working with an experienced weight loss team can help monitor your progress and keep track of your overall health.
- Our team can coordinate care with our Surgical Weight Loss Program to help you achieve and maintain your weight loss goals.
To learn more about the Medical Weight Loss Management Program or to make an appointment, call (212) 305-9506 or complete our online application.
What are Weight Loss Medications?
While weight loss surgery is very effective for losing weight and addressing metabolic issues, it may not be the right choice for everyone. There are a number of medications that can be effective alternatives to weight loss surgery. These treatment options mimic the effect of weight loss surgery without the procedure.
Learn More About GIP and GLP-1 Receptor Agonists
Who We Treat
We treat patients who are struggling with losing weight and keep weight off. This includes people who want to:
- Lose weight and maintain their weight loss over time but don’t know if surgery is the right choice for them
- Lose additional weight if surgery isn’t effective enough by itself.
- Lose weight they have regained after lap band or gastric sleeve surgery
- Lose weight to help with their evaluation for the transplant list and improve their health prior to transplant surgery
Conditions We Treat
- Obesity
- Diabetes and other metabolic conditions
- Weight regain after bariatric surgery
Treatments We Offer
- Qsyima targets the brain pathways involved in hunger, appetite, and satiety, helping to reduce food intake.
- Contrave impacts pathways in the brain involved in appetite, cravings, and reward processing. It helps individuals reduce food intake and manage emotional eating.
- Wegovy and Zepbound (GLP-1 medications) mimic the signals of the hormone glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) to slow digestion and promote satiety.
Program Highlights
A Proven Track Record for Weight Loss
Columbia has a history of success treating patients with difficult-to-manage metabolic conditions and recurrent weight gain. Our team has the experience to help you find the solution that works best for you.
A Multidisciplinary Approach to Care
Obesity is a complex disease that can require careful management and input from different specialists to treat. Our Weight Loss Medication Clinic team collaborates with surgeons, endocrinologists, nutritionists, and other experts from across Columbia to help you reach your weight loss and health goals. We work with the Metabolic and Weight Control Center to help our patients achieve their goals and understand how to stay in control of their weight.
Personalized Treatment Designed for Your Needs
Our team will create a customized weight management plan tailored to your unique needs. This plan can include prescribing and managing weight loss medication, based on a thorough assessment of your medical history, current health status, and lifestyle.
Support to Help You Succeed
We understand that medication or surgery alone isn’t enough to reach your weight-loss goals. To provide the support you need, we offer comprehensive nutrition guidance, behavioral support, and fitness planning to promote long-term success.
Weight-Loss Strategies for Potential Transplant Candidates
Our program can assist people who are trying to lose weight and improve their health in order to be better candidates for transplant surgery. We can build a plan around your specific health issues and help you lose weight safely to potentially improve your chances for placement on a transplant list.
Our Team
Hewan Chekol, AGNP-BC
Nurse Practitioner
Giovanni Dugay, MS, ANP-C
Nurse Practitioner
Our Location
NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center
Herbert Irving Pavilion
161 Fort Washington Avenue
5th Floor, Room 524
New York, NY 10032
(212) 305-9506
Make an Appointment
To learn more about the Medical Weight Loss Management Program or to make an appointment, call (212) 305-9506 or complete our online application. We accept a number of insurance plans, and our team can help you confirm your coverage.