Fit for Health

FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions about the UCLA Fit Clinic

 

What does the UCLA Fit Clinic offer?
The UCLA Fit Clinic is a multidisciplinary clinic composed of a pediatrician specialized in nutrition, a psychologist, and a dietitian. Patients and their families benefit from seeing all three providers at every appointment. After an initial evaluation, a treatment plan is made with appropriate phone and/or clinic follow up. Pediatric subspecialists and a weight-loss surgeon are also available as needed.

What is the success rate of the program?
Similar programs implemented by our medical director in other settings have been successful at slowing and/or reversing weight gain. The American Academy of Pediatrics is now recommending that certain overweight youth need a multidisciplinary approach to helping them achieve a healthy weight, and we are following their recommendations in this clinic. In 2018, Dr. Slusser reported the effects the Fit Clinic has on BMI and Blood Pressure. Read the article. 

Where is the UCLA Fit Clinic?
The clinic is located in the Westwood region of Los Angeles, on the UCLA campus. View directions.

Do you offer consultation via telemedicine?
We are currently piloting a program with satellite clinics from Venice Family Clinic and LAUSD to offer consultation with the UCLA Fit Clinic using telemedicine technology.

Which type of insurance is accepted?
We take PPO, non-HMO ("straight") MediCal, and in some cases California Children's Services (CCS) insurance. The appointment center will assist you with insurance authorization when you call to schedule your first appointment. More information on health plans accepted at UCLA Health.

How much does it cost? What if my insurance doesn't pay?
We will try to obtain authorization from your insurance carrier. However, if a visit is not authorized, you have the option of paying out of pocket. If you are considering this option, please call the UCLA Health Pricing Department at (310) 794-1125 and mention the UCLA Fit Clinic, or Fit Clinic. We will also work very closely with your pediatrician.

When do you have clinic?
We have clinic four times per month, two on Tuesdays and two on Fridays. To schedule your appointment, please call (310) 825-0867.

How often does my son/daughter see a physician?
We typically see our patients once a month to assess the progress of our patients. Please note that the first appointment will take about three hours because we do a thorough assessment. Follow-up appointments take about one hour.

Are there family-based intervention programs?
We are currently developing family-based intervention programs outside of the clinic.

Do you offer weight-loss surgery?
After a thorough evaluation (at least 6 months of documented medically-supervised weight-loss), patients who meet specific criteria can be considered for weight-loss surgery. Be aware that we consider lifestyle changes, like healthier eating and doing more physical activity, the first choice for weight loss, and we only consider surgery if lifestyle changes are not effective. Note that we do not do the "lap band" surgery. We use other methods of gastric bypass surgery that have been found more effective. For more information visit our Weight Loss Surgery tab.

How many weight-loss surgeries have been done?
Over 1000 weight-loss surgeries have been done on adults at UCLA with a very low complication rate. The same surgical techniques are applicable to children. However, the preoperative evaluation and specific operation offered are unique to each age group.

What is the youngest patient considered for weight-loss surgery?
This depends on the specific patient, but, in general, 13 years old for girls and 15 years old for boys.