A1: The SPWLP is a medically supervised weight loss program that allows people to lose a significant amount of weight in a fairly short period of time but also provides long-term behavioral modification techniques to continue weight loss after the program is completed.

Q2: How is the SPWLP different than other programs available?

A2: The SPWLP is a unique, medically supervised program that brings in the “best” of all approaches to weight loss. Serotonin Formula offers individualized weight loss programs to fit every weight loss need. Whether you have 10 pounds or 150 pounds to lose we offer effective, safe and responsible weight loss. The program utilizes Serotonin Formula™, a patented serotonin supplement to help suppress appetite and carbohydrate cravings and an FDA approved prescription appetite suppressant, when needed. As the medication and supplement are helping the person reduce caloric intake, the Transitional Diet Plan™, along with the nutritional and exercise counseling, are providing guidance in behavioral modification. In this way, maintaining your weight is easier once your weight loss goal is achieved.

Q3: What prescription medication is used in the SPWLP?

A3: When needed, Phentermine is the prescription medication utilized in the program. This FDA-approved medication should not be confused with the popular “Phen-Fen” combination that was used about 7 years ago. Phentermine has been approved by the FDA for appetite suppression and weight loss and is not linked to any of the adverse heart valve problems seen with other appetite suppressants. The side effects of phentermine may include insomnia, constipation, dry mouth and sometimes fast heart rhythm. During the program, each person has a weekly appointment with the medical staff and is monitored closely.

Q4: Why is this program called the “Serotonin Formula Weight Loss Program”?

A4: In addition to utilizing phentermine, the program also includes Serotonin Formula™, a unique serotonin supplement. Serotonin is a natural brain chemical that has many effects in the body. Serotonin deficiency has been implicated as a major cause of carbohydrate cravings, obesity, depression, anxiety, premenstrual syndrome, mood disorders secondary to menopause, migraine headaches and fibromyalgia. There are many prescription medications that artificially attempt to raise serotonin levels in different areas of the brain. Some of these medications include the antidepressants Prozac®, Zoloft® and Paxil®. A prescription appetite suppressant, Meridia® artificially attempts to raise serotonin levels at the appetite suppressant receptors. Direct, natural serotonin supplementation has been shown to decrease appetite as well as carbohydrate cravings. The SPWLP is the only weight loss program that utilizes the first and only direct serotonin supplement. This natural supplement has been patented and subjected to a number of clinical studies.

Q5: How much weight loss can I expect?

A5: The most aggressive option with The Serotonin Formula Weight Loss Program™ will yield average weight loss of 35 pounds with a range of 20-50 pounds and the Serotonin Formula™ System, the self-help system will produce about 20-25 pounds of weight loss in 12 weeks.

Q6: What is the Serotonin Formula™ System?

A6: The Serotonin Formula™ System is a non-medical version of the Serotonin Formula Weight Loss Program™. It is a 12-week self-help weight loss program that was specially developed for those who want to lose 20 pounds or less or have geographic or schedule limitations so they cannot enter the Serotonin Formula Weight Loss Program™. The System contains 4 bottles of Serotonin Formula™, a unique serotonin supplement for reduction of carbohydrate cravings and appetite suppression, an informational audio CD with diet and exercise tips and our unique Transitional Diet Plan™. Average weight loss is 20-25 pounds for the 12-week period.

Q7: What is the difference between the Serotonin Formula Weight Loss Program™ (SPWLP) and the Serotonin Formula™ System?

A7: The SPWLP is a medically supervised comprehensive weight loss program that requires medically supervised visits to our office. It is an aggressive weight loss program that focuses on behavior modification to change your eating and exercise habits. It utilizes Serotonin Formula™, our patented oral serotonin supplement to reduce carbohydrate cravings and reduce appetite, as well as an FDA approved appetite suppressant when needed. It also provides nutritional counseling and consultation with a certified personal trainer who will develop a personalized exercise program for you. Average weight loss of the most aggressive program is 35 pounds in 12 weeks and ranges from 20-50 pounds depending upon your motivation. The Serotonin Formula™ System was designed for those that want to lose less than 20 pounds at their own pace. With the Serotonin Formula™ System, there is no phentermine included, thus no medical visits and there is no consultation by a personal trainer. It is a self-help program that contains an informational CD, “Your Consultation with Dr. Posner” that provides nutritional and exercise guidance. Average weight loss for 12-weeks is 20 pounds with the Serotonin Formula™ System. Both weight loss programs, however, use Serotonin Formula™, a unique serotonin supplement to reduce carbohydrate cravings and decrease appetite. Both programs also utilize a Transitional Diet Plan™ that facilitates behavioral modification for long-term weight control. The Serotonin Formula™ System is also an effective program for those whose schedules and geographic location prevent them from entering the medically supervised Serotonin Formula Weight Loss Program™.

Q8: What happens if I haven’t lost all of the weight I need to after I complete 12 weeks of the Serotonin Formula™ System?

A8: If you have not reached your weight loss goal after 12 weeks, you can reorder the Serotonin Formula™ supplement on our website or by calling 888-5SP-PLUS and continue with the Transitional Diet Plan™ until you reach your weight loss goal.

Q9: : Is the Serotonin Formula™ supplement safe to continue after I have reached my weight loss goal?

A9: Yes, many people continue taking Serotonin Formula™ indefinitely. It contains pure, natural serotonin as well as important vitamins and antioxidants. Our patients have said they feel more in control of their carbohydrate cravings and can control their appetites more effectively when they continue its use. Many have told us they experience mood enhancement and a general sense of well-being when they continue the serotonin supplement. Furthermore, some say they have experienced a reduction in the number of migraine headaches they have as well as a reduction in the symptoms of fibromyalgia. Serotonin Formula™ maybe reordered on our website or by calling 888-5SP-PLUS.

Q10: What happens if I need to lose more than 50 pounds? Can I continue in the the medically supervised Serotonin Formula Weight Loss Program™ to reach my weight loss goal?

A10: A number of people have entered our medically supervised program wanting to lose many more pounds then could possibly be achieved in a 12-week session. It is possible to continue with more sessions after the initial 12-weeks. At the end of the 12 weeks, each person is individually evaluated to analyze the success of the first 12 weeks and whether it makes “good medical sense” to extend the program to achieve their weight loss goals. Some of our patients have wanted to lose over 100 pounds and can extend for (3) 12-week sessions for a total of 36 weeks.

Q11: What if I have a “slow metabolism”?

A11: There are many people who are frustrated with their inability to lose weight even if they try dieting and some exercise. Often, these patients are convinced that they have a thyroid problem or some other easily addressed medical problem. It is very clear in our internal medicine practice that a number of people suffer from “Slow Metabolic Syndrome”. This is a term we have coined to describe the syndrome of people who gain weight easily and have extreme difficulty in losing weight despite attempts at dieting. Unfortunately, this seems to occur more frequently in females than in males, especially females over the age of 35. There obviously is some hormonal connection to the Slow Metabolic Syndrome, but it is not clear what the hormones involved are and certainly it is not a thyroid or estrogen imbalance alone. The Serotonin Formula Weight Loss Program™ and the Serotonin Formula™ System have achieved success in helping people with Slow Metabolic Syndrome.

Q12: Are the Serotonin Formula Weight Loss Program™ and the Serotonin Formula™ System appropriate and helpful for a woman who is enduring the slow metabolism and other hormonal imbalance symptoms of menopause?

A12: When a woman transitions through menopause, her estrogen levels gradually decrease. This, in turn, causes a decline in serotonin levels. Because serotonin imbalance is implicated in overeating and mood disorders, the person may then experience the weight gain and moodiness that often accompanies menopause. Both the Serotonin Formula Weight Loss Program™ and the Serotonin Formula™ System offers an excellent approach, because the serotonin supplementation involved in the program helps address one of the chemical imbalances the menopausal women experience. Moreover, the nutritional and exercise guidance help menopausal women the person adjust to their changing metabolisms.

Q13: What is the medical supervision of the SPWLP?

A13: Dr. Posner is one of the world's leading researchers on direct oral serotonin supplementation and its effects on appetite suppression, carbohydrate cravings reduction and weight loss. Dr. Posner is a Diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine and is a member of the American Society of Bariatric Physicians.

Q14: What happens when I enter the SPWLP?

A14: When you enter the SPWLP, you will select the type of program you want to participate in based upon how aggressive you wish to be with your weight loss. If you choose our most aggressive program, you will receive a complete physical examination including electrocardiogram, and laboratory blood testing. You will be given the Transitional Diet Plan™ and counseling. Then, your visit with the certified personal trainer will be arranged. You will also receive the serotonin supplement and your first week prescription for the phentermine. Over the next 12 weeks, you will have weekly visits with the medical staff. During your follow-up visit, you will have a weigh-in, and a thorough checkup of your heart and lungs, blood pressure and pulse checks along with periodic body fat and circumference measurements. You will also be given advice and feedback as to how the program is working for you and what could be adjusted to further enhance the program's results for you. If you choose a less aggressive program without a prescription appetite suppressant, you will not need a physical exam but will receive an evaluation/counseling session to begin the program. You will be given the Transitional Diet Plan™ and nutritional counseling. Then, your visit with the certified personal trainer will be arranged. You will then have periodic follow-up sessions for weigh-in, nutritional counseling, body fat and circumference measurements and we will constantly re-evaluate your status to maximize your weight loss.

Q15: Do both the Serotonin Formula Weight Loss Program™ and the Serotonin Formula™ System provide me with a specific diet plan?

A15: Yes, we include a respective Transitional Diet Plan™ in each weight loss program, which is a 3-phase plan that provides you with sample meal plans. However, the diet plan included with the Serotonin Formula Weight Loss Program™ is a bit more aggressive since it is medically monitored. The Transitional Diet Plan™ was specifically designed to help “jump-start” your weight loss objectives via a high-protein diet, and then transition to a diet plan that allows for more carbohydrates and variety. It will help you achieve maximal, safe weight loss and still provide you with numerous choices when it comes to meal planning. It has been our experience that when a person’s food choices are limited in scope, boredom rapidly sets in, and that particular diet plan cannot be continued.

Q16: Am I expected to exercise even if I am not exercising at all right now?

A16: To achieve weight loss and for long-term weight maintenance, it is important to exercise and increase physical fitness levels. The certified personal trainer will construct a personal program for you that is “reasonable”. That means there is not a standard exercise routine that everyone gets. It is all based upon your ability to exercise. For example, a 28-year-old male with no orthopedic problems would be expected to exercise more aggressively than a 62-year old female with who suffers from some mild osteoarthritis. The personal trainer will evaluate you and prepare a program that takes into account a number of factors. It is our strong belief that exercise goals must be made realistic with the person’s work and time schedules as well as health factors.

Q17: Can I Participate in the Serotonin Formula™ System if I am already taking an anti-depressant, such as Prozac^®, Zoloft^®, Effexor^®, Paxil^®, Wellbutrin^®, Celexa^®, Lexapro^®?

A17: Many prescription medications for depression work by indirectly raising serotonin levels at the serotonin mood receptors. These medications do not raise serotonin levels at the appetite suppressant/carbohydrate craving reduction receptors, and therefore they do not help people lose weight. Contrarily, some of these medications actually lead to an increase in hunger and weight gain.

Many of the patients who have entered our medically supervised program are taking prescription medications to treat depression. We have initiated Serotonin Formula™ at one-half the usual dosage (i.e. one tablet twice a day instead of 2 tablets twice a day) and after 2-3 weeks, increase the Serotonin Formula™ dosage to the regular two tablets twice a day. A number of our patients have also been able to gradually decrease their prescription anti-depressant dosage and successfully wean off of the prescription medication entirely during the 12-week program.

It must be emphasized that the tapering of prescription medications and/or the initiation of new medications or supplements should be discussed with your own physician.

Q18: Can I enter the SPWLP if I am taking other medications?

A18: The answer to this question depends on the stability of your medical problems and types of medications you are taking. Certainly, weight reduction will help control hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and a number of other medical problems. We have many patients enrolled in the SPWLP who are taking blood pressure medications, antidepressants, diabetic medications and a number of other prescription medications. We will be happy to discuss our program with your physician.