The Weight Management Program

The Weight Management Program is a medical-behavioral program offered since 1980 and directed by Joan Saxton, M.D. Under close medical supervision, the Program emphasizes strategies for long-term weight loss success and lifestyle changes. Offering intensive treatment for people who have difficulty controlling their weight the Program also provides education in the areas of nutrition, fitness, and health. Programs are designed for moderate weight loss of 20 to 50 pounds, and for weight loss greater than 50 pounds.

Patients will:

  • be taught the skills to keep weight off.
  • attend weekly health education classes to learn techniques for supermarket shopping, ordering in restaurants, and other difficult situations.
  • receive frequent monitoring from program staff.
  • focus on what they can do; not what they can’t.
  • expect their overall health to improve as risk factors associated with excess weight are reduced.

    • Lifestyle changes

    The Program works with clients to provide education on how proper nutrition and physical activity work together to keep weight off, in addition to teaching skills and habits necessary to help maintain a medically sound weight. Weight loss is just the first step in weight loss management. After achieving the desired weight loss, the Program staff will continue to be available to support and help patients maintain long-term success.

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    Weight Management clinical staff

    Joan Saxton, M.D.: Medical Director of The Weight Management Program, affiliated with California Pacific since 1980. She founded the program over 20 years ago and continues to be nationally recognized as a leader and speaker on obesity treatment. Dr. Saxton is board certified in both Internal Medicine and Nephrology.

    William Hartman, Ph.D.: Clinical Psychologist and behavioral program psychologist director with over 20 years experience with individual and group therapy, teaching, research and behavioral health education.

    Karen Ready, R.D.: Nutritionist and Certified Lifestyle Counselor specializing in weight and stress management. Experienced in nutritional consulting with a variety of medical conditions and an expert in separating fiction from truth in dieting hype.

    Rosemary Jones, M.A., R.N.: Adult Health Educator with an expertise in diabetes treatment.

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    Our location

    The Weight Management Program
    1 Daniel Burnham Court Suite 370-C
    San Francisco, California 94109

    Contact us by Phone (415) 771-1821 for more information.

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    Some frequently asked questions

    What happens during the Weight Loss Phase of your program?
    During the weight loss phase patients are on a 500- or 800-calorie regimen using liquid meal replacements. They come into the office weekly for medical monitoring and lifestyle change classes. Classes provide techniques to help weight loss and will teach skills necessary to keep the weight off during the maintenance phase.

    Explain the Maintenance Phase of the program.
    During the maintenance phase patients practice learned weight loss phase skills. In the beginning, we recommend weekly attendance.

    How do I know if I'm a good candidate for your program?
    Our program is designed for people who have a substantial amount of weight to lose, typically a Body Mass Index (BMI) higher than 30, or over 27 with health risk factors. We can help calculate your BMI.

    Do you use any of the prescription weight loss medications in your program?
    During the maintenance phase of the program, we make these medications available to those patients for whom it is medically appropriate.

    Will my insurance cover the program?
    The best way to find out if your insurance will cover the program is to contact your insurance company directly.

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