RFO Program
from the University of California, Los Angeles

MAINTENANCE PROGRAM
It is much more difficult to maintain weight loss long-term than to lose it and regain it. Weight maintenance programs are similar to behavior programs in that there is no single program that is universally successful.

Prior statistics of individuals who have lost weight with diet, exercise and behavior modification show that without a maintenance program, 75% have regained their weight within one year and 95% within three years. Individuals who attend maintenance programs do far better, with a 60% success rate at three years.

Research on predictors of successful "maintainers", i.e., those who do not regain weight for three to five years, show that the most important factors are self monitoring (food diaries), regular and frequent contacts with the weight loss program and regular physical activity for thirty minutes or more for four days a week or more. To illustrate the importance of regular contact with the weight loss program, we cite a recent study from Sweden: A large group of patients attended a successful weight loss program. All patients were given a series of meetings and seminars on techniques and strategies for weight maintenance. The group was then divided in half. Fifty percent of the patients were not contacted for one year, and the other fifty percent simply received one telephone call per month from a nurse or dietician in the program. At the end of one year, the group with regular contact maintained a substantial weight loss, whereas those who were left on their own regained most of their lost weight.

The tools and strategies learned during weight loss must be reinforced over a longer time period. It takes many years to gain the weight and a relatively short time to lose it. Destructive eating patterns are almost sure to recur unless some long-term support system is available.

The maintenance program conducts a weekly seminar devoted to maintenance strategies. In addition, patients meet with the dietician at least once every four weeks and with a physician at least once every eight weeks, or more often as necessary. Healthy eating patterns are reinforced and knowledge of calorie balancing and caloric expenditures of various physical activities are discussed in more detail. There is emphasis on techniques to accept and understand a lapse and not let it become a relapse or a collapse. The attendees are universally enthusiastic about this program.

PATIENT FEES
There is NO insurance billing or coverage for this program.

The initial visit is $150.00. Monthly program fees start the following week. The VLCD Program fee is $295 per month. The LCD and ASP program fee is $225 per month. The Diet Behavioral Program is $150 per month. This includes MD visits, RD visits, laboratory tests and electrocardiograms, nutritional lectures, behavior modification classes and psychological support groups. Nutritional supplements are sold separately (approximately $45.00 to $72.00 per week). Medications (not formula, nutritional bars) are prescribed for you to purchase at your personal pharmacy. The Maintenance Program costs $350 per six months. This includes RD visits once a month and attendance in one of the psychological support groups. When in maintenance, physician visits, formula, medications, laboratory fees and electrocardiograms are an extra charge. Parking is $6 per entry. It is important to attend clinic weekly. If you cannot attend, you should let the administrators know. Three consecutive absences without notification will terminate you from the program. You should also be aware that there is no payment credit for missed visits.