Program aids in weight reduction safely, doctors say
Almost magical in perception and effectiveness, the Progressive Weight Loss Program now professionally offered by Progressive Women’s Services in Milton is one of the most amazing programs of its kind ever offered here.
And were it not under the supervision of Dr. Michael J. Coyle, one of the area’s most noted physicians dedicating his practice to women’s issues, it might escape notice.
The Progressive Weight Loss Program is unique in a number of ways. Powered by a Bio-Identical hormone known as HCG, which is considered to be a “natural,” versus synthetic, hormone, its application can safely burn up to 2000 calories a day in a patient’s body. But its real significance in weight reduction and control, according to Dr. Coyle, is that in addition to burning calories in the body, it also significantly reduces hunger.
“Bio (body) identical hormones are those that have the exact same chemical structure as the hormones that are found in your body,” Dr. Coyle said. Bio-identical hormones, however, are derived from natural sources outside the boy and converted through chemical processes identical to those produced by the body. It’s from this process that bio (body) identical hormones are produced.
Dr. Coyle went on to point out that through the use of these hormones results are achieved rapidly. “Most people have a significant weight loss within the first week,” he said, “with an average person losing 5 to 15 pounds the first week.”
HCG is not a newly discovered chemical compound. Dr. Coyle says it has been around for more than half a century. “It has been on the market a long time and has a lot of research behind it. It’s very effective and is also safer than taking some of these other drugs taken to curb your appetite and lose weight,” he said. “They are stimulants, like taking speed, and can carry negative side effects, while HCG is a natural hormone. The body is used to it, and it is very, very safe.”
Dr. Coyle said that in addition to its other positive effects, “It (HCG) is the only hormone that we know of that influences the brain in the way people think about food.”
And although Dr. Coyle is an OB-GYN specialist most widely known as “a woman’s doctor,” he is making an exception in the application of his Progressive Weight Loss Program by opening it up to male patients as well. “Men can use it, and it works rather quickly,” he said. “The average man will lose as much as 15 pounds the first week.”
He said men typically lose more weight faster than women because of their increased muscle mass. “We’re taking male patients only for the weight loss program,” Dr. Coyle said, indicating that the main focus of his practice was still directed to the total health of the woman patient.
The program is under the tactical guidance and hands-on care of Dr. Coyle’s assistant, LuAnn Stephen, and is an integral part of his medical practice. “It’s not one of those programs where (a patient) might come in, get the HCG, and then continue on his own,” Dr. Coyle said. “The program that we have set up involves an initial (medical) appointment with me where we look at everything, including blood work, to see that everything is OK, and then we schedule weekly counseling visits with the program’s administrator.”
There is also a physical trainer available, as well as a psychiatrist, to assist those who might have eating disorders or severe depression that’s associated with eating.
“So you see it is a well rounded program in the sense that we’re not just trying to get people to lose weight. We’re trying to get people to change their lives,” Dr. Coyle said. He went on to comment that one of the biggest rewards at the end of the program is that were people who have been living-to-eat, indicate they have readjusted to an eat-to-live position.
The Program’s length depends on how much weight each patient wants to lose. “We have people who lose up to 35 pounds in six weeks, so if there’s only 30 pounds to lose, one might be on the Program four to six weeks,” the doctor said. “However, if you have 150 pounds to lose, then you have to stay on the Program longer.”
Actually, he indicated, the average person usually completes the program in about eight weeks, although some takes longer and others less.
Although Ms. Stephen is the administrator of the program, Dr. Coyle says he’s always available for consultations. “So you see this is definitely not one of those programs where the doctor just signs off on the paperwork. You have access to the doctor all along.”
Formerly housed in the Santa Rosa medical Center’s Medical Office Building, Dr. Coyle now practices at 6072 Doctors Park Road, just off Berryhill Road in front of the hospital.
As busy as Dr. Coyle is, he still has time for his family and all the practical things that make for a healthy family life. He and his wife Laura have three children: Christina, who is eight, Nathan, who is six, and Abby, who is three. They attend St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church on Park Avenue in Milton and spend their recreational time indulging in such wholesome activities as boating, fishing, church music ministry, and other family oriented activities.
Dr. Coyle is accepting new patients, and those who are interested can call (850) 983-3528 or (850) 983-6221 for an appointment or for more information about his work.
