Weight Loss Management Clinic
Led by Dr. Aditya Shah, our Weight Management Clinic offers personalized treatment plans built around your individual needs — combining dietary modifications, exercise, behavior change, and medication when appropriate to support your weight loss journey and your long-term health.
Weight Loss Management Clinic
Led by Dr. Aditya Shah, our Weight Management Clinic offers personalized treatment plans built around your individual needs — combining dietary modifications, exercise, behavior change, and medication when appropriate to support your weight loss journey and your long-term health.
Weight Loss Management Clinic
Losing weight can be a challenge, but with the right support, we can help you reach your goals and improve your overall health. Dr. Shah and his team create personalized treatment plans based on your individual needs, taking a comprehensive approach that addresses food intake, diet, physical activity, behavior, and overall lifestyle factors.
We prioritize education, support, and individualized care to help you achieve sustainable weight loss and adopt healthier habits for the long term. Your first appointment is used to gather essential information, assess your overall health and weight-related concerns, and develop an initial treatment plan. Follow-up visits are then scheduled to monitor your progress, provide ongoing support, and make adjustments along the way.
WEIGHT LOSS CLINIC
Dr. Aditya Shah
NorthShore Health Centers
1828 165th Street, Hammond
How to Get Started
Our Weight Management Clinic is accessed through your NorthShore primary care provider. Here’s the path in:
- See a NorthShore primary care provider: Start with a visit to a NorthShore primary care provider. New to NorthShore? Call us and we’ll help get you established!
- Get referred internally: If weight management is right for you, your provider refers you to Dr. Shah’s clinic directly within NorthShore – no outside paperwork needed!
- Begin your personalized plan: At your first weight management visit, we asses your health and build a plan tailored to your goals, lifestyle and medical history.
Do I need an outside referral? No. Patients are referred to the Weight Management Clinic internally by a NorthShore primary care provider. If you’re new to NorthShore, your first step is simply to establish primary care with us.
Components of Individual Treatment Plans
No single tool works for everyone. We combine the following based on what fits your needs and goals.
- Dietary Modifications: We assess your current eating habits, nutritional needs, and any dietary restrictions, then build a realistic, sustainable plan focused on portion control, balanced nutrition, and nutrient-dense foods — not restrictive fad diets.
- Exercise Recommendations: Physical activity plays a crucial role in weight management. We consider your fitness level, health conditions, and preferences to create a plan that is safe, effective, and sustainable — including aerobic activity, strength training, and everyday movement.
- Behavior Modification: Changing unhealthy patterns and building new habits is key to long-term success. We help you identify and address underlying factors behind overeating or emotional eating, using mindful eating, stress management, and goal setting.
- Medications When Appropriate: When clinically appropriate, we may include weight-loss medication — including GLP-1 options. The choice is based on your medical history, BMI, response to other interventions, and your insurance coverage.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
Your first appointment is a thorough medical evaluation — not a quick diet pitch. Plan for a longer visit so we can get the full picture.
- A full review of your health history and weight-related concerns
- Body composition assessment — far more than just a number on the scale
- A personalized plan covering nutrition, activity, and medication if appropriate
- Goals you help set, at a pace that works for you
- A schedule of follow-up visits to track progress and adjust over time
One-on-One Support From a Health Educator
Beyond your visits with Dr. Shah, you’ll have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with a health educator who provides education, support, and guidance throughout your weight loss journey — creating personalized strategies that fit your lifestyle, preferences, and medical history.
- Nutrition, physical activity, and lifestyle education
- Guidance on healthy eating, portion control, and exercise
- Strategies to overcome emotional eating and manage stress
- Help identifying and changing habits that hinder progress
- Meal planning and ideas for adding activity to your routine
- Ongoing accountability and motivation between visits
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I become a patient of the Weight Management Clinic?
You’ll need to be seen by a NorthShore primary care provider first. If weight management is appropriate for you, they’ll refer you to Dr. Shah’s clinic internally. If you’re not yet a NorthShore patient, call us and we’ll help you establish primary care.
Do I need a referral from an outside doctor?
No. Referrals to the Weight Management Clinic are made internally by a NorthShore primary care provider. You don’t need to bring a referral from an outside office.
Am I a candidate for the program?
The program is designed for adults working to lose weight and improve weight-related health. Candidacy for prescription weight-loss medication specifically is generally guided by national criteria — typically a BMI of 30 or higher, or 27 or higher with a weight-related condition such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, or high cholesterol. Your provider will determine what’s right for you during your evaluation.
Will I be put on a weight-loss medication?
Not necessarily. Medication is one of several tools and is used only when it’s clinically appropriate for you. Many patients make significant progress through nutrition, activity, and behavior change. When medication is part of the plan, your provider discusses the options, how they work, and coverage with you.
Are weight-loss medications covered by insurance?
Coverage varies widely by plan and by medication, and it changes often. Cost and insurance coverage are part of how we choose the right option for you. Our team will help you understand what your plan covers and explore alternatives if needed. NorthShore also offers insurance enrollment assistance if you need coverage.
What happens at my first appointment?
We gather your health history, assess your overall health and weight-related concerns — including a body composition assessment — and build an initial plan together. It’s a full medical evaluation, so plan for a longer first visit. Follow-up visits are shorter and scheduled to monitor progress and adjust as you go.
How soon will I see results?
Healthy, lasting weight loss is a gradual process. Most patients see steady progress over weeks to months rather than overnight. The patients who do best are those who attend follow-up visits, stay consistent with their plan, and communicate challenges so we can adjust. Don’t get discouraged if results aren’t immediate — sustainable change takes time.
How often will I come in?
After your first visit, we schedule regular follow-ups to track progress, provide support, and fine-tune your plan. The exact frequency depends on your individual plan, your goals, and any medication you may be taking.
Is this the same as weight-loss surgery?
No. Our Weight Management Clinic provides medically supervised, non-surgical weight management — nutrition, activity, behavior change, and medication when appropriate. It’s an option for people who don’t want surgery or aren’t candidates for it.
Do you offer support beyond the doctor visit?
Yes. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with a health educator who provides nutrition guidance, behavior-change strategies, meal-planning help, and ongoing accountability throughout your journey.
Call Us for an Appointment, Today!
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