About Us
At the Center for Obesity Medicine and Metabolic Performance (COMMP), we can help you take the weight off and keep it off by optimizing your body composition for weight maintenance. Our multidisciplinary team of obesity medicine specialists and registered dietitians utilize an evidence-based approach to help patients improve their nutrition, increase physical activity, reduce stress and improve sleep. Anti-obesity medications are also considered, depending on your current health. While most patients come to us looking for weight loss, other benefits you may achieve include:
- Decreased body fat, especially harmful central or “visceral” fat
- Increased muscle mass and improve cardiovascular fitness
- Reduced cholesterol and risk factors for heart disease
- Lowered blood pressure and reduce stroke risk
- Slowed or stopped progression of diabetes
- Improved sleep apnea
- Increased endurance in sports or everyday activities
- Improved self-esteem and confidence
Every patient at COMMP receives a personalized program that aims to not only
optimize weight loss but to improve overall health.
Do you have Type 2 Diabetes?
Consider the Diabetes Reversal Pathway
Unfortunately, there is no cure for diabetes. However, research studies support the use of intensive lifestyle intervention targeted at changing your weight to reverse the symptoms of diabetes. The COMMP team strives to provide evidence-based care to all patients. Any patient with type 2 diabetes has the option to enter the Diabetes Reversal Pathway which not only promotes weight loss but can stop the progression of diabetes.
Other benefits include:
- Medication elimination: Patients on multiple diabetes-specific (including insulin) and antihypertensive medications can see a reduction in the dose and/or number of medications necessary.
- Decreased risk of cardiovascular disease including heart attacks and strokes
- Improvements in fatty liver disease
The individualized nutrition plan within the Diabetes Reversal Pathway is based on one of the three fundamental plans all COMMP patients follow and includes the use of protein meal replacements and real food. Patients on the Diabetes Reversal Pathway work closely with dietitians to ensure they are meeting specific macronutrient and caloric goals, while addressing improvement in blood sugar, hemoglobin A1c, and total body weight. 1
In the News
Dr. Deborah Horn, obesity medicine specialist, virtually joined the Houston Life studio to discuss the UT Physicians Center for Obesity Medicine and Metabolic Performance (COMMP).
Lisa Salazar, patient of the COMMP, shares her weight loss journey of losing over 60lbs.
Specialized Testing & Research
Body composition measurement helps you set goals beyond the scale. Managing your weight and the disease of obesity is about reducing body fat or adipose tissue. Along your journey, we use bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) to measure your body fat and lean muscle mass. This helps you and your physician know that you are losing the right weight and maintaining your strong and lean muscle. You will receive a body composition analysis, which is tracked and reviewed with your physician at each medical visit. In rare cases when a patient cannot use BIA to assess body composition, your COMMP team will discuss alternative technologies to measure your body composition.
Resting metabolic rate (RMR) is the amount of energy or calories you burn while your body is at rest. RMR is measured via indirect calorimetry. During the test, you will breathe in and out of a machine for about 10 minutes. This will measure your individual metabolism to help us choose the best treatment pathway and monitor your metabolism for changes during your weight loss journey. This test can usually be billed to your insurance.
Did you know that 40-70% of obesity is due to genetics. For most individuals it is a combination of many genes that play a role. For some patients very specific single gene changes can affect the severity of the disease. In select patients, your obesity medicine specialist may order genetic testing to assess if there are any specific and identifiable genes that predispose you to gaining weight and the disease of obesity. The evidence around genetic testing is always evolving. At this time, our genetic testing is performed by using a cotton swab placed in the mouth.
In addition to excellent clinical care at UT Physicians COMMP, we are also dedicated to moving the field of evidence-based obesity medicine forward.
We have clinical trials that are focused on state-of-the-art obesity treatment and decreasing the risk of diseases associated with obesity.
For more information on our clinical trials, please send an email to COMMPProgram@uth.tmc.edu. A member of the research team can reach out to you with a description of our current trials and a conversation about whether any of them might be right for you.
Locations
6700 West Loop South
Suite 500
Bellaire, TX 77401
Phone: (713) 486-1330
Fax: (713) 871-0081
11920 Astoria Boulevard
Suite 460
Houston, TX 77089
Phone: (713) 486-7650
Fax: (832) 328-0686
17510 W. Grand Parkway South
Suite 450
Sugar Land, TX 77479
Phone: (713) 486-3950
Fax: (713) 871-0081
Evidence-based Research
In addition to excellent clinical care at UT Physicians COMMP, we are also dedicated to moving the field of evidence-based obesity medicine forward.
We have clinical trials that are focused on state-of-the-art obesity treatment and decreasing the risk of diseases associated with obesity.
For more information on our clinical trials, please send an email to COMMPProgram@uth.tmc.edu. A member of the research team can reach out to you with a description of our current trials and a conversation about whether any of them might be right for you.
Other benefits include:
- Medication elimination: Patients on multiple diabetes-specific (including insulin) and antihypertensive medications can see a reduction in the dose and/or number of medications necessary.
- Decreased risk of cardiovascular disease including heart attacks and strokes
- Improvements in fatty liver disease
The individualized nutrition plan within the Diabetes Reversal Pathway is based on one of the three fundamental plans all COMMP patients follow and includes the use of protein meal replacements and real food. Patients on the Diabetes Reversal Pathway work closely with dietitians to ensure they are meeting specific macronutrient and caloric goals, while addressing improvement in blood sugar, hemoglobin A1c, and total body weight. 1
Frequently Asked Questions
COMMP utilizes evidence-based medicine to achieve successful weight loss and improve your overall health. With our multidisciplinary team consisting of obesity medicine physicians and registered dietitians, every patient receives an individualized plan catered to their specific goals and needs. We help you discover the tools in today’s Obesity Medicine Toolbox to succeed at long-term success. These tools included measurement, education, and individualized assistance with nutrition, physical activity, behavioral modification, metabolism and body composition assessment, anti-obesity medications, and adjustments to your current medications.
Chronic diseases need consistent long-term care. Just like diabetes, obesity is a chronic disease, and the relationship established between you and your COMMP Team lasts a lifetime. For the first two months, you will visit our center every week, alternating your visits between our physicians and registered dietitians. After two months, your visits are spaced out to fit your schedule and we develop the plan together to help you succeed at long-term weight maintenance.
While weight loss varies for each person, based on clinical studies in obesity, we typically expect to see you lose 1-1.5% of your body weight per week, which is both safe and sustainable. For example if you weigh 200lbs that is 2-3 pounds per week.
For some of our patients with obesity or overweight issues and certain medical conditions, anti-obesity medications are prescribed. These medications work to interrupt pathways in your body that drive obesity. This may include different areas of the brain to increase satiety, decrease hunger, and, in some cases, reduce cravings, as well as changes in other metabolic and hormonal pathways. We encourage all patients to discuss anti-obesity medications with your COMMP obesity medicine specialist. Together we can determine which choice is best for you. Please note that some insurance providers may not cover the cost of medications. We encourage all our patients to review the list of commonly prescribed medications that you will be given at your New To COMMP class and verify coverage prior to your first physician visit.
Each patient’s treatment plan is individualized. Some of our patients elect to utilize meal replacements due to the demands of their lifestyle and ease of preparation, especially when first starting out. Our ultimate goal is for our patients to meet nutrition requirements using as much whole food as possible. Meal-replacements can be purchased at clinic and our team can also provide suggestions for meal replacements that can be purchased at the grocery store. During your first goal-setting visit or at any time, patients are encouraged to discuss if meal replacements are best for your individualized nutrition plan with both your registered dietitian and physicians. 1
We carry several snack and meal replacement products ranging from soups, cereals, bars, shakes, crackers, and more. Each product is high protein, low carbohydrate, and fortified with nutrients to meet your nutritional needs when used in substitution, or addition to whole foods. We will go over a list of products that we offer at your first visit. For additional questions please call 713-486-1330. 1
Your obesity medicine physician and dietitian will work with you if your work schedule, life schedule, commute or other time constraints do not permit weekly visits. However, we encourage you to try and make every scheduled visit,as it will help with your weight and health goals.
Surgery is an important option for some patients that struggle with their weight. COMMP provides non-surgical treatment of obesity. Because COMMP is housed within the Department of Surgery at UTHealth, our providers can easily refer patients to see our bariatric surgeons at UT Physicians. In addition, we often see patients following bariatric surgery for continued obesity management
Of course. It is not uncommon for patients to regain weight following bariatric surgery. Recent studies indicate that patients who have undergone bariatric surgery demonstrate improved outcomes when their surgical intervention is combined with anti-obesity medication. The team at COMMP can help you get back on track.
While you will see the team at COMMP more frequently than your primary care provider (PCP), the medical care we provide is not a substitute for other chronic disease care, sick visits, or your annual physical exam. All our patients are encouraged to maintain a relationship with their PCP. As obesity medicine specialists, we are comfortable managing obesity and any weight related conditions. In some cases, some medications prescribed by your PCP will need to be adjusted or discontinued. We want to collaborate with your PCP as your medication needs change. At COMMP, we strive to keep your PCP updated on your weight loss journey.
All patients are responsible for a $150 program fee due at the time of attending the New to COMMP class. The physician and dietitian visits are covered by most insurance providers (including Medicare). You will be responsible for your co-pay (if any) prior to any visit. At this time, COMMP does not accept Medicaid. For further information, please refer to the Billing and Insurance.
Typically, you will get your lab work and RMR done between your 1st and 2nd COMMP visits. Your physician will determine if both can be done during your first visit. Generally, there is no need to repeat lab work if you’ve received them in the past 60 days prior to first medical visit with us and your weight and other medications have been stable during those 60 days. The labs we typically order are CBC, CMP, TSH, Vitamin D, Lipid Panel, Hemoglobin A1C, Uric Acid, and Fasting Insulin.
Patients should be fasting prior to testing. Lab work should be completed by 9 a.m. Additional blood work may be requested, based on your initial history and lab results. If you have had recent lab work done, please contact COMMP so we can receive those results. Click the links below to view labs and instructions:
Contact Us
Fill out the contact form and we’ll follow up with you to answer any questions you have on the Center for Obesity Medicine and Metabolic Performance (COMMP).
Important Patient Documents
1Meal replacements are sold here at the suggested retail price. Your quality of care will not be affected by your decision to purchase the supplements elsewhere.
