Dr. Mapes performing manipulation under anesthesia at a local surgery center. 

There are many myths about weight loss.  MYTH #1. I will lose weight and get healthy.  Wrong!!  Over weight is a symptom that something is wrong with your body's metabolism. If you want to lose weight and keep it off, then you need to get healthy. That is how we can help you. First we do a complete medical and nutritional evaluation in addition to comprehensive Laboratory studies to determine what is wrong with you. Once we know the answer to that question, we make an individualize program for you and you specific metabolic needs.

MYTH #2:  Exercise is the best place to start. Any good weight loss program should have exercise as a part. However it may not be the best place to start. As an example: Lets say that you have an old car and you want to take it on a long trip or maybe you want to start racing it. How many people would just start racing and hope that the car gets better. Most people would want to check the tires, the engine, the transmission, and all the working parts. The same is true with your body. If you are chronically fatigued or in have severe joint pain, you may want to correct those problems before starting and exercise routine. If you are suffering from chronic fatigue, starting to exercise may be more than you can take.  However once your energy level has increased, exercise may actually become fun.

According to Dr. Eric, Berg, there are 4 patterns of overweight.  Each one is related to a different metabolic problem. When you come to this office, we show you pictures and let you identify which one is more like you.  Then we do a complete history and physical exam followed by comprehensive lab studies so that we can know what metabolic factors need to be corrected.  When you are corrected and feeling up to the challenge, we can start the exercise program, stress management, diet and nutrition that is appropriate for your metabolism.  Go back to the main menu, watch the videos, take the nutrition assessment test and call Dr. Mapes at (708) 447-6969 for an appointment.