Medical Weight Loss
At Meliora Integrative Medicine in Evanston, IL, we offer medical weight loss treatment plans.
These plans include optimization utilizing our Integrative Five-Point Restorative approach, body composition testing, customized nutritional programs, personalized coaching/support and clinically-effective treatments.
Medical Weight Loss
Medical weight loss refers to a medically guided weight management program that includes optimization of hormone and nutrient levels, toxin clearance, dietary changes, personalized weight loss coaching and clinically effective medical treatments. A medical weight management program is safe and effective because it’s customized for each individual and monitored by our staff who know how to help patients with different weight reduction goals.
Why Can’t I Lose Weight?
A poor diet and lack of exercise can certainly contribute to weight gain. However, many patients have questioned why even with a healthy diet and regular exercise they are unable to lose weight. Or after going on a diet, the weight they lose comes right back. Our Integrative Five-Point Restorative approach helps explain why we tend to gain weight over the years, why it can be difficult to lose weight and why it is difficult to maintain our weight. An imbalance of hormones and low nutrient levels can lower your metabolism. Toxins can cause rebound weight gain after dieting. Stress can elevate cortisol levels, which trigger sugar cravings and increase fat storage in the belly.
What to Expect from a Medical Weight Loss Treatment Plan
The first step in a medical weight loss program is scheduling an initial consultation. During this consultation, we will discuss your goal weight, current eating habits, and weight management techniques you’ve used in the past. We will discuss our Integrative Five-Point Restorative approach and how we address the Tiers of Optimization – hormones, nutrients, diet, exercise, toxin clearance – for effective weight loss. Optimizing your hormone and nutrient levels is an important first step as this affects your underlying metabolism. Optimizing your metabolism helps your weight loss plan become more effective and sustainable in the long term. We then address your specific diet, exercise regimen and steps for toxin clearance. Individualized medical therapies that are clinically proven to support weight loss may also be recommended.
Am I a Candidate?
If you have tried to lose weight independently but have been unsuccessful, you are a candidate for our medical weight loss program. The first step is to schedule a consultation to learn more about you and your weight loss goals. We can create a customized plan that will help you reach those goals.
Invest in Your Overall Health and Wellness
Weight Loss
Struggling to lose weight despite doing “everything right” can be incredibly frustrating and isolating. You may feel like your body is working against you, no matter how carefully you eat or how often you exercise. The truth is, lasting weight loss usually requires more than willpower alone.
At Meliora Integrative Medicine in Evanston, IL, we offer medical weight loss treatment plans.
These plans include optimization utilizing our Integrative Five-Point Restorative approach, body composition testing, customized nutritional programs, personalized coaching/support and clinically-effective treatments.
What Is Medical Weight Loss?
Medical weight loss refers to a medically guided weight management program that includes optimization of hormone and nutrient levels, toxin clearance, dietary changes, personalized weight loss coaching and clinically effective medical treatments. A medical weight management program is safe and effective because it’s customized for each individual and monitored by our staff who know how to help patients with different weight reduction goals.
Our Five-Point Restorative Approach
Effective, sustainable weight loss comes from addressing the body as a whole. That’s why we use Dr. Chua’s Integrative Five-Point Restorative Approach. This model focuses on five essential tiers of optimization:
- Hormones
- Nutrients
- Diet
- Exercise
- Toxin Clearance
By identifying and correcting root causes of weight gain in each category, we help patients achieve long-term metabolic balance and real results.
Why Can’t I Lose Weight?
A poor diet and lack of exercise can certainly contribute to weight gain. However, many patients have questioned why even with a healthy diet and regular exercise they are unable to lose weight. Or after going on a diet, the weight they lose comes right back.
Our Integrative Five-Point Restorative approach helps explain why we tend to gain weight over the years, why it can be difficult to lose weight and why it is difficult to maintain our weight. An imbalance of hormones and low nutrient levels can lower your metabolism. Toxins can cause rebound weight gain after dieting. Stress can elevate cortisol levels, which trigger sugar cravings and increase fat storage in the belly.
What Makes Integrative Weight Loss Different?
At Meliora Integrative Medicine, weight loss isn’t about crash diets, calorie obsession, or one-size-fits-all prescriptions. Instead, we treat the whole person—body, mind, and metabolism—through a scientifically grounded, personalized approach that addresses the deeper reasons why weight won’t come off.
Traditional weight loss clinics often rely on rigid meal plans, appetite suppressants, or exercise regimens without looking at the broader context of your health. But for many people, lasting results don’t come from eating less and moving more; they come from resolving hormonal imbalances, nutrient deficiencies, chronic inflammation, and the effects of stress or toxic burden.
Our Integrative Five-Point Restorative model examines the full picture:
- Are your hormones optimized for fat loss?
- Is your body getting the nutrients it needs to metabolize energy effectively?
- Are hidden toxins or gut issues silently slowing your progress?
- Is stress disrupting your cortisol balance and increasing fat storage?
By combining advanced diagnostics, mind-body medicine, and clinical expertise, we build individualized programs that empower you to lose weight and restore overall vitality. Integrative care isn’t just more holistic—it’s more human.
Our Tools for Sustainable Weight Loss
To create an effective and individualized weight loss plan, we may incorporate the following therapies, diagnostics, and holistic tools as part of your customized care:
Medical Therapies
We use targeted medical therapies to correct internal imbalances directly impacting metabolism, fat storage, and energy levels. These interventions are personalized, monitored closely, and chosen based on your diagnostic profile and goals.
Peptide Therapy
Peptide therapy uses targeted amino acid sequences to stimulate fat metabolism, preserve lean muscle mass, and regulate hormonal activity. At Meliora, peptides are often incorporated into weight loss plans to enhance results by promoting natural fat-burning processes and improving energy levels. These treatments are especially helpful for individuals who have hit a plateau or need metabolic support during their journey.
Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT)
Hormonal imbalances can significantly slow weight loss efforts. Through BHRT, we restore optimal levels of key hormones such as thyroid, cortisol, estrogen, and testosterone. Balanced hormones help regulate appetite, improve mood and energy, and reduce fat accumulation, especially around the midsection. By correcting underlying imbalances, BHRT supports a stronger, more efficient metabolism.
IV Nutrient Therapy & B12 Injections
Low nutrient levels can lead to chronic fatigue and poor metabolic function. IV nutrient infusions and B12 injections help replenish key vitamins and minerals that support energy production and fat metabolism. These therapies are especially valuable during active weight loss phases, when increased nutritional demand and detoxification can strain the body’s reserves.
Diagnostic Tools
Our diagnostic tools help us understand the full picture of your body composition and metabolism. These tests go beyond the scale, allowing us to tailor your weight loss plan to your unique physiology precisely and safely.
DEXA Scan (Body Composition Analysis)
Rather than focusing solely on the scale, our DEXA scan provides a comprehensive view of your body composition, including fat mass, lean muscle mass, and bone density. This helps us ensure you’re losing fat, not muscle, and allows for tailored adjustments to your nutrition and exercise plan. Tracking these metrics gives us a clearer picture of your overall health and helps guide your progress more precisely.
Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) Testing
Using the REEVUE device, we can measure your body’s actual resting energy expenditure. This test reveals how many calories your body needs daily for weight loss, maintenance, or gain. Knowing your true metabolic rate prevents under- or overeating and allows us to create a calorie plan that supports fat loss without slowing your metabolism.
Advanced Testing
Sometimes the root causes of weight gain are hidden beneath the surface. Our advanced tests are designed to uncover the underlying biological, genetic, or environmental factors that may slow your progress so we can treat them at the source. These tests include:
Comprehensive Blood Panel
This extensive test evaluates your hormone levels, nutrient status, and key metabolic markers. It helps uncover hidden imbalances that may be hindering your weight loss progress.
Micronutrient Testing
This test detects deficiencies in essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants at the cellular level. Addressing these gaps can improve metabolism, energy, and fat-burning efficiency.
Genomic Testing
Genomic analysis reveals how your genes affect metabolism, detox pathways, and your response to diet and exercise. This information allows us to tailor your program based on your unique genetic blueprint.
Nitric Oxide Testing
This test assesses nitric oxide levels, impacting circulation and oxygen delivery. Improving these levels can enhance metabolism, energy production, and workout performance.
Organic Acid Test (OAT)
The OAT evaluates metabolic function, gut health, and mitochondrial performance. It helps detect hidden inflammation, nutrient processing issues, or detoxification blocks.
Environmental Toxin & Mycotoxin Testing
These tests screen for chemical and mold toxin exposure that can interfere with hormone regulation and metabolic function. Identifying and addressing toxic burden can support clearer thinking, better energy, and sustainable fat loss.
Holistic Support Tools
Sustainable weight loss doesn’t come from restriction alone. It’s important to support your whole body. Our holistic support services are designed to improve energy, reduce inflammation, calm cravings, and empower healthier habits for long-term success.
Body Detoxification Program
Meliora’s detox program is a cornerstone of our integrative approach. Built around safe, physician-supervised cleansing, it includes liver and gut-supportive supplements, detox diets, hydration strategies, and optional sauna use. Clearing stored toxins from the body improves energy and nutrient absorption, reduces cravings and helps patients break through stubborn weight loss plateaus.
Nutrition & Lifestyle Counseling
True transformation happens when healthy habits become part of daily life. Our program includes one-on-one coaching to improve your nutrition, develop an effective exercise routine, and manage stress and sleep—all of which directly affect cortisol levels and weight retention. This mind-body approach ensures your success is both physical and emotional, creating a sustainable foundation for long-term health.
This integrative model allows us to treat the whole person, not just the symptom, offering a deeper and more lasting path to weight loss.
Benefits of Our Weight Loss Program
Our program is designed not just to help you lose weight, but to help you understand your body and achieve lifelong wellness. By identifying root causes and correcting internal imbalances, we help you create sustainable change with real, measurable benefits:
- Faster and safer fat loss with physician-monitored treatments
- Improved energy levels through hormone and nutrient optimization
- Greater confidence and motivation with visible body composition changes
- Reduced cravings and emotional eating thanks to detox and stress management support
- Customized care with lab-based insights, diagnostic tools, and 1:1 coaching
- Long-term success through personalized plans that evolve with your needs
This is more than weight loss—it’s a path toward feeling strong, balanced, and in control of your health.
What to Expect from a Medical Weight Loss Treatment Plan
The first step in a medical weight loss program is scheduling an initial consultation. During this consultation, we will discuss your goal weight, current eating habits, and weight management techniques you’ve used in the past.
We will discuss our Integrative Five-Point Restorative approach and how we address the Tiers of Optimization – hormones, nutrients, diet, exercise, toxin clearance – for effective weight loss.
Optimizing your hormone and nutrient levels is an important first step as this affects your underlying metabolism. Optimizing your metabolism helps your weight loss plan become more effective and sustainable in the long term. We then address your specific diet, exercise regimen and steps for toxin clearance. Individualized medical therapies that are clinically proven to support weight loss may also be recommended.
Am I a Candidate?
If you have tried to lose weight independently but have been unsuccessful, you are a candidate for our medical weight loss program. The first step is to schedule a consultation to learn more about you and your weight loss goals. We can create a customized plan that will help you reach those goals.
Frequently Asked Questions About Our Medical Weight Loss Program
Will I have to follow a strict diet?
While nutrition is a core part of your plan, we don’t rely on restrictive or fad diets. Instead, we tailor realistic dietary guidance based on your unique metabolism, lifestyle, and preferences.
These plans support steady, sustainable progress rather than temporary, extreme changes. The goal is to build healthy eating habits that feel manageable and satisfying long-term, not to leave you feeling deprived or overwhelmed.
How long does it take to see results?
While every patient responds differently, many people begin noticing initial changes in weight, energy, and mood within the first few weeks. Your timeline can vary depending on factors like hormone imbalances, toxin buildup, inflammation, and nutrient deficiencies.
Our team tracks your results through both physical changes and internal markers, using tools such as body composition scans or lab work. This data-driven approach allows us to celebrate milestones and make real-time adjustments when needed.
What happens after I reach my goal weight?
Reaching your goal weight is just the beginning of long-term wellness. Once you’ve achieved your initial results, we focus on helping you maintain your success through supportive coaching, nutrition tweaks, and periodic re-evaluations.
We aim to empower you with lifelong habits that stabilize your metabolism, reduce inflammation, and prevent weight regain. Ongoing care ensures you feel supported, not abandoned, after reaching your target.
How often will I have check-ins?
Check-in frequency depends on your program and progress rate, but most patients are seen every few weeks. These sessions may include lab result reviews, goal setting, nutrition coaching, or therapy adjustments. Regular check-ins allow us to stay ahead of any challenges, answer questions, and fine-tune your plan as your body changes. You’re never left to figure things out independently—support is built into every step.
What happens if I hit a plateau?
Weight loss plateaus are normal and often signal that your body needs a different strategy. If you stall, we review your diagnostics, assess hormonal or nutritional shifts, and update your treatment plan. This may include adjusting your medications, peptide therapy, detox protocols, or meal plans to reignite progress. Our approach is dynamic and responsive to your evolving needs.
Why Choose Meliora Integrative Medicine for Weight Loss?
At Meliora Integrative Medicine in Evanston, IL, we help you reclaim your health from the inside out. Our philosophy is rooted in whole-body care, which means we don’t just treat symptoms. We uncover the root causes behind weight gain and design a plan that’s as unique as you are. Here’s what makes our practice different:
- Root-Cause Approach: We address the deeper reasons your body resists weight loss, such as hormone imbalance, nutrient deficiencies, and toxin buildup.
- Advanced Diagnostic Testing: From DEXA scans and hormone panels to genetic and metabolic testing, we use science to guide every recommendation.
- Compassionate, Personalized Care: Our patients aren’t rushed through their visits. We take time to listen, educate, and support you at every step.
- Sustainable, Long-Term Results: Our goal isn’t just to help you lose weight—it’s to help you keep it off through lasting lifestyle change.
- Physician-Led Expertise: With board-certified providers and a medically guided program, you can trust your plan is safe, effective, and backed by real expertise.
When you walk through our doors, you’re more than a number on the scale. You’re a whole person with a story, a goal, and a future we’re honored to help you shape.
Invest in Your Overall Health and Wellness With Our Weight Loss Program
We understand that everyone’s weight loss journey is different and can be difficult. If you are interested in taking the first step, we can help. Together we can discuss your weight loss goals and customize a treatment plan for you. We are committed to supporting you every step of the way.
At Meliora Integrative Medicine in Evanston, IL, we know that weight loss is not one-size-fits-all. Whether you’re struggling with metabolic resistance, hormonal imbalance, or lifestyle stressors, we’re here to help. Schedule your consultation today online or by calling (847) 440-4355 and take the first step toward a personalized, integrative approach that supports lasting transformation—from the inside out.
