JumpstartMD

This is an update to my five star review. I’ve continued to eat per the plan and exercise regularly, but my weight and percent fat continue to creep up. I had lost about 30 pounds, but I’ve gained back 15 pounds and my % fat is almost back to the level it was when I started the program. I’m not sure what was in the weekly shots. I lost weight when I was getting shoots weekly and kept if off ok on the maintenance program (monthly), but I haven’t been able to keep the weight off without them.

OK, the diet works. BUT, it’s just a high protein/​low carb diet. I did this for I think 2 months and have had just as much success not going in as I did going in, still following the ‘diet’ they gave me originally. The FIRST visit is good; you get a good rundown on everything, and get your numbers, etc. Every other visit is basically a waste of time, you don’t learn anything new, etc. It’s just a weigh in and how are you doing — and THAT is not worth the cost. This is about 8 x more expensive than weight watchers, and like I said, you can figure out how to do a low carb diet online for free. The only useful visit is the first visit. I kept having my follow ups with someone who was ‘new’, and as such, I do not feel that I got even my simplest questions asked. For 400 a month, I expect to at least see the doctor around the office, I expect that my questions will be answered, and I expect new information every week. The tracker they give you is silly. You mark off boxes — for example, for 10 grams of protein, you tick off a box. Yes, that’s fine and simple, but if you have a week where you don’t lose weight, you have not tracked your actual food, so there is no way they can give you feedback. I am now just doing the plan they gave me on visit 1, and tracking all my food on ‘myfitnesspal’. I’m losing consistently. I wouldn’t spend my money here; just go on the first visit if anything.

This started off as a great weight loss center. However, i stopped feeling supported when 100% of their staffed turned over 2 – 3 times. It became highly frustrating, there was no consistency in my visits or with counsellors. I had to constantly recap my journey and the program lost its effectiveness. Each clinician told me they were not going anywhere when I started to question the 3^rd clinician about the turnover. She assured me she was here to stay. Met the 4^th clinician and she said the same thing. (Can’t believe it!)
What is going on with this center? I’m very concerned about how it is being run.
The front desk girl was the nicest and most polite professional woman and she has moved on and been replaced by a subpar receptionist who seems highly disengaged and frankly rude.

I am into my second week on this program through the Pleasanton location. I found the staff to be pleasant and attentive. I have elected not to use the appetite suppressants, so the first 3 days were a bit of a challenge, but come on… if I want to see results, I have to change up what and how I eat. The concepts of this program are simple (low-​carb, 5 small meals, drink your water, abstain from alcohol), but it’s not easy. By comparison, having to squeeze into my clothes because I am too stubborn to go up a size and be comfortable isn’t any fun either. I will provide another update in a couple of weeks.

I did the Jumpstart program for 3 months. Lost the weight I wanted. However, as soon as I am off the meds, it was really difficult to stick with the no carb no sugar low calorie regiment. Then I gained the weight back. This is not a long term solution but great if you want to loose weight in the short term.

Jumpstart MD charges $ 249.00 just for visit number 1 which includes an EKG test, weigh in, ingection of Methionine Inositol Choline which is supposed to help metabolize fat, 30 day supply multivitamin, ordering of a full metabolic panel bloodwork, a program guide, food tracker book, and supply of 1 weeks appetite suppressants. The first visit is really the only helpful visit, just to receive the supplies. They then charge $ 388.00 for the rest of the month and every month after that. These are 1 x week visits which just include the complimentary injection and another 1 week supply of appetite suppressants. To be honest, you’re basically paying $ 400/​month for a butt injection that does nothing and appetite suppressants that just give you BAD insomnia in the middle of the night. My advice, just go to the first visit and get the tools. This is just a low carb diet, including 100g of protein and 60g at the max of carbs. They say they’ll send in paperwork to get insurance reimbursement and then they say it can take about 6 months to hear back, so don’t count on that. You only meet with the «doctor» on visit 1 and then after that, just with some girls that ask you how you’ve been doing, but they never help you with food prepping or your energy level or important things like that.

The staff here is not responsive. I made an inquiry online over the weekend with the belief that I’d get a call back the following business day. Instead 2.5 days went by. I then returned the call one day later within normal business hours which according to their voicemail, should have been returned the same day. Again, two more days went by before I received a return call. I fear that this is indicative of the level of attention a client would receive.

I have never written a Unilocal review before. However, my experience today with JumpStart MD was so bothersome, I felt I had a duty to advise other potential consumers the way in which they treat their clients. Let me back up though. When I first started a few weeks ago, the staff in Pleasanton was very nice and helpful. It was my experience today, via a phone call to the Walnut Creek office, that has me in an uproar. I received my vitamin and B 12 shot yesterday in the Pleasanton office. I woke up this morning feeling very sore in my joints and my skin feeling very warm, with a sensation of pins and needles. I looked at my skin and noticed a blotchy rash all over me. I felt it could be related to the vitamin shot, maybe niacin, but was not sure. I called the office (Pleasanton office was closed, so I was routed to another one, I think Walnut Creek). Amy took my call and was very polite. I explained all my symptoms to her. Amy said a clinician would call me right back after her client was gone. I never received a call back. After I took two Benadryl, with little to no relief, I called Amy again (this was over an hour after my first call). She said the clinician would call me back in 5 minutes. In less than 5 minutes, Amy called me back. She was very apologetic, but said the clinician (I will not say her name, but shame on her) was too busy to talk to me. She advised me the clinician said if I was that concerned, I should see my primary care doctor. She referred me to the handbook to look at to see what ingredients were contained in the vitamin shot. I told Amy I was not upset at her, but that I was fuming. I told Amy she (the clinician) is trying to pass the buck and not only is this inappropriate, it has some ethical ramifications as well. I advised Amy I would like to cancel my membership effective immediately. My husband is also a member and he, too, is less than satisfied with this program. For the amount of money we pay and the fact they advertise their services as being medically supervised, I would have, at a minimum, expected the clinician to call me back. I will not be returning to this program. I hope this review is helpful when people are researching weight loss programs.

This is a great program! I’ve tried everything under the moon to try and loose weight and this has been the 1^st program that has worked for my husband and I. I’ve lost 35 lbs and my husband has lost 64lbs and have been able to maintain the weight loss. This program really helps you change your eating habits and start a new lifestyle. All the staff members are extreamly nice and helpfull throughout your journey. I would still like to lose 20 more pounds and will be starting the program again. I recommend this program to anyone who is ready for a «lifestyle» change and serious about loosing the weight and keeping it off!

I went after having worked out for months and not being able to lose those last 15 pounds! When I started I was 5′ 6″, weighed 146lbs. My goal was to get down to 130. After being with the program for 2 months, I was down to 134lbs. Obviously I’m ecastatic and would have loved to continue only I can’t since I found out I’m preggo yay!
This has been great for me and will absolutely come back to it when I’m ready after this bun is fully baked.

Jumpstart MD really works!!! The staff is amazing and so helpful. I always get the support I need. I have lost 20lbs and have finally started eating healthy and on a regular exercise program. I feel great and my clothes feel great. Finally dropped a size. I had tried other weight loss systems Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, Nutrisysem (yuck) and Medifast. None of these worked long term. I am so thankful for Jumpstart for finally getting me on track and getting me healthy for my husband and kids.
THANK YOU!!!

I have been on many diets, haven’t we all and I can not say enough about how I love Jumpstart, Pleasanton. The decision to do something was the blood test that said I was close to diabetes. Belly Fat is the hardest to loose. The staff, the program is why this works. I have now passed the 25 pound mark and am on my way to surpassing my goal. Another 5 more pounds. No more belly fat, in a size 2 pair of jeans, Can’t believe how easy it was. I love this place. It works. It’s easy. It is a lifestyle change, but for the good. I feel great, better than ever and the best is now I am off all my blood pressure, cholesterol meds and no signs of diabetes or heart disease. That is the best reward.

Tackling weight loss is tough. Jumpstart MD makes is easy. It is the absolute best way to lose weight. I am a patient of Dr. Lai and have lost 47lbs. I like the program because they gave me tools like nutrition education, eating plans, a website resource, medication, and vitamins to ensure my success. I feel comfortable walking the door for my appointments, the staff is professional, supportive and encouraging. Most importantly, the program is run by a bariatric specialist (MD). I like knowing that an actual doctor is in charge of my care. Dr. Lai is amazing! I recommend this program highly. Oh yeah, in my case it was a covered service under my plan! Jumpstart MD ROCKS! Thanks Jumpstart for making a giant difference in my life!

I started Jumpstart MD after feeling really frustrated with my increasing weight. I have tried several other approaches and nothing compares to this program. In just under 6 weeks, I have lost 20 pounds and I feel fantastic. The program is easy to follow, the staff are extremely supportive and friendly and the organization is very professional. The weekly appointment is efficient, helpful and private. I cannot recommend the Pleasanton Jumpstart MD highly enough.

Jumpstart MD. Works! A life long of trying many many things… Jumpstart’s friendly food selections and menus work when nothing else ever has! Nothing premixed or fresh from the blender, or in the supermarket freezer, or delivered (for a small fortune) right to your door.
More like magic than will power or hard work … making a few simple choices (this and not that) — more about when to eat and how much of what… than what not to eat. Astonishingly fast and lasting results with no hunger pangs, cravings or those low energy lows almost depressed self denial feelings that often accompany weight loss hopeful diets.
I thought meeting weekly would be difficult, but it’s a short visit and the staff are supportive– not preachy or zealously pointing out their success while you struggle along.
No struggle. Unbelievable! I now believe!
Professionals watching over progress and blood pressure… even lab work. Healthy and scientifically sound, no potions or spells, or secrete ingredients. Traditional Western Medical orientation, no super berry juice or powered sea greens. Stanford MD.
Meet with the MD and Nurse Practitioner as well as ancillary professionals, nutritionists, sports trainers and other pragmatic low key opportunities to explore (or not) your feelings or concerns, celebrate when your new jeans are too big in less than a month! Helping to plan for the week ahead even if it is conference food for three days and air ports for two.
Being vegetarian is often problem enough without having to adapt the typical planned menu to veggie and vegan friendly options. Some of the staff are veggies themselves. We shared favorite snack and comfort food ideas. No prepackaged plan to circumvent.
My (bad) cholesterol dropped 60 points in 4 months! No statins or other pharmaceutical interventions. My physician did a happy dance in his office!
Health care insurance is reimbursing me for most of the cost; but even if it was not, this is affordable in the you can’t waste your health on diets that don’t work way. Results speak for themselves! Try it. You have weight you want to loose.

Love the staff at Jumpstart! Losing weight is hard and can be a long process. The staff at thePleasanton office are so supportive and knowledgeable. I highly recommend this program.