FAQs

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions. If you have a question that is not on the list below, please choose the nearest clinic and give us a call.


How much weight will I lose?

Answer: Typically, most patients lose 8 to 10 pounds a month, and we've seen patients lose up to 100 pounds in a year, without surgery! Your personal results will depend on how well you stick to the program......we will help you in many ways!

Do you guarantee I will lose weight?

Answer: We are 100% sure that if you follow the plan, you will lose weight. However, we can't guarantee exact results because we have no control over what you do once you leave the clinic. We teach you a lot about your body and what it needs but it's up to you to learn, commit yourself, and keep disciplined!! Every day you follow this proven program will make you a day closer to your goal! We promise!

Why does your program work?

Answer: Your body is already well designed to lose weight, as medical experts we know the best way to help you accomplish your weight loss goals. Our medical practitioners evaluate and treat each patient on an individual basis. You will lose weight by following our program guidelines which in brief- is to monitor your calories and exercise 3x a week. We'll help your body adjust to the reduced caloric intake by prescribing appetite suppression medication and suggesting a schedule of eating that works very well.

How much does this cost?

Answer: Doc's Diet is one of the most affordable weight management programs in California. New patients pay $100 the first month. Return patients pay $90 per visit. Although it is not required, most patients visit us monthly. Each office visit includes a focused examination and discussion time with one of our experienced practioners, a Vitamin B-12 injection and thirty pills of Phentermine 37.5mg (a controlled prescription appetite suppressant).

What forms of payment are accepted?

Answer: We accept cash, debit, and credit, no insurance or checks are accepted.

Any gift for referring a friend?

Answer: No, sorry... We used to reward patients for referrals but stopped years ago when people would not be honest. We do however appreciate you telling people about us....Thanks very much for the people you send to us!!

How often do we have to come in?

Answer: Most people come in monthly although it is not required, once a person is knowledgeable with the process, familiar with the program and acquainted with their response to the pill, we ask you to return when you need to get more medication or if you need encouragement or have questions.

What days are you open?

Answer: We are open every day 8:00-5:00 weekdays and 8:00-12:00p.m every Saturday! We are closed Wednesday and Sunday

How do I refill my medication?

Answer: You will need a return visit. These diet pills are a controlled, prescription medication. We are required to keep detailed records of their distribution. For this reason we only give thirty pills at a time at one month intervals or longer. Plus, we want to see you, teach you and help you! Your office visit with us each month can be an important part of you reaching your weight loss goals. We help keep you accountable, and encourage you! We hope you always feel uplifted and energized after you come in!

Can I drop in for an appointment?

Answer: Absolutely! Many times our patients stop in just to see us. We will do our best to see you promptly. On busy days, we will see our patients with appointments first though- so call first if you can!

How much medication should I take?

Answer: Start with half of the diet pill. We strongly suggest you just use a half for as long as that half works! More medication won't make you more skinny! Take the least amount of medication that helps you keep your calories in order. We insist you take no more than one pill per 24 hours. Patients that do not adhere to the maximum dose of one pill per day are dismissed from Doc's Diet after a warning. This is a strong, controlled prescription medication and it is important for your health and safety to follow our instructions clearly.

What is the best way to use the pill?

Answer: You can skip days when taking the diet pill. Some people only take the diet pill every other day, or twice a week. I advise people to use the pill as a helper to reduce their appertite. The less medicine the better. If a patient is used to taking a whole pill every day and skips the pill... they might feel 'let down', less energetic and hungry. If you want to stop the pill after taking it regularly- ask us for our 'taper talk'. It's an easy way to lessen the dose of the pill over a few weeks so that you won't have such a big step to take when stopping it.

Is the medication safe?

Answer: Phentermine is an FDA approved prescription medicine for appetite suppressant help. Doctors have prescribed this medicaiton for more than 50 years. As with all prescription medication its our job as medical practitioners to determine if you're a good candidate to use this medication safely. We ask you not to be pregnant nor become pregnant while on this medication. You cannot breast feed while on this drug.

Are there medication side effects?

Answer: When used properly, the medication is tolerated well by most people. Some 'usual' side effects can include trouble sleeping, headache, dry mouth, nervousness, and occasional constipation. Use the smallest amount of medication that helps you. This habit will lessen the above side effects. Less medication (1/2 pill) is always a better idea if your appetite is helped on a half of pill. The possible side effects can also be helped by eating the right way! Please eat frequent, smaller meals and snacks and drink enough water. That is the five finger concept!

Will I be hungry all the time?

Answer: Nope! The diet pill helps most people significantly reduce their appetite. Plus, by eating five times a day, sticking to the lower calorie suggestions and getting about 10 grams of protein in each meal and snack, most patients report that they don't feel hungry at all. At each office visit we address any problems or questions that you have about eating and the medication. We encourage you to eat often and to make good choices with your food.

Do you provide education on how to eat?

Answer: Absolutely! Teaching you how to eat is the most important part of our program!! You'll learn how to eat correctly for the rest of your life. You won't have to give up all your favorite foods, but you will learn how to stay within your calorie budget. Remember, we are here to support you along the way. We'll provide more information and encouragement at each visit and inspire your continued motivation and hard work. Your result will be a leaner, less fat body, while gaining significant behavioral changes that will last your lifetime.

Will I gain weight off the medication?

Answer: Only if you eat too many calories!! That's what we want to teach you!!! Once you reach your weight loss goals and when you are ready, we suggest you taper off the diet pill. We will show you an easy way to taper off the diet pill. Stopping the medication does not cause you to gain weight but we've read some recent research on the brain and appetite center that will help us help you maintain your hard won weight loss. Simply put, the brain 'gets used' to your fatter body as normal. After you lose weight, the brain 'thinks' you are too skinny and your appetite increases to get your old 'normal' fatter body back! This relationship between appetite center and fat amount called a 'set point' like setting a fat level thermostat. Some research says that the brain takes a year to reset this fat 'set point' thereby getting used to your skinny body. This newer information has helped Doc's Diet take the opinion that having a bottle of diet pills on your shelf for up to a year and taking a half of pill occasionally is a good idea. Sometimes just knowing the bottle is on the shelf is all you need to help you with this set point battle.

Is the medication safe with diabetes?

The medication can be safe in high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol. We have specific guidelines for you to follow and symptoms to pay attention to when using the pill. We will talk specifics at the visit. We would like you to know.... If you have high blood pressure that is under control with high blood pressure medication, be prepared to buy your own blood pressure cuff to use at home. We will require you to agree to this before we will prescribe the phentermine. We will ask you to check your blood pressure at home daily before taking the diet pill to be sure your blood pressure isn't elevated. Two good things happen because of this, you will be more attune to your blood pressure numbers and you will give yourself a good margin of safety when using the diet pill with hypertension. Great news!! After losing weight, many patients have been able to reduce the amount of medications that they take for all three conditions.