and Physical
and Physical
The Ideal Way to Work with a Primary Care Physician
Metabolic Health Institute
with Charlene Lichtash, M.D.
Reverse Disease • Reduce Medication • Live Happier
Teaching a Philosophy for Joyfully Losing Weight and Promoting Longevity
Welcome to my medical clinic, where we work together to define your weight and metabolic health goals and to reach them sustainably and joyfully! As an obesity medicine specialist and board-certified internal medicine physician, I am committed to preventing and reversing metabolic disease. I also know the struggle associated with a constant burden of weight-related and body image-related concerns and anxieties. I often meet people who have endured a lifetime of struggle, and whose powerful emotional hunger narratives and physical hunger cues have exhausted their hope of ever achieving an optimal weight or of living a life without the mental burden of this concern. I meet people before or after bariatric surgery, who have yet to reduce their emotional hunger to a level that can support an ideal weight. I see those who are diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes and who deeply desire a way to reverse their disease. I have designed a unique approach to meet the needs of all individuals dealing with such weight-related issues, and to be effective in bringing relief and success to those with even the most complex of personal histories with weight. Oftentimes, I hear from patients that they are so glad to have come to me, but they wish they had started sooner. I look forward to working with you!
Sincerely,
Dr. Lichtash
COMPASSIONATE CARE
"After receiving an extremely grim physical, I was literally scared for my life. I was told I would have diabetes imminently and that my cholesterol was dangerously high, among other problems. I weighed close to three hundred pounds, which had caught up with me over the course of my life, and especially during the height of the pandemic and after the birth of my two kids. I didn't know where to turn.
Working with Dr. Lichtash on a holistic plan for weight loss, physical health, and mental health was a critical turning point in my life. We discussed the various issues that led me to seeking her help, worked on changing behaviors and adopting new philosophies toward food and hunger, and addressed the underlying medical issues aggressively.
After six months of working with Dr. Lichtash, incorporating medicine, diet, and exercise, I have lost 72 pounds and counting. My numbers improved to the extent I am no longer pre-diabetic nor do I have risky cholesterol. I feel like a new person. Most importantly, I am now optimistic I have added years to my life, years I can spend with my wife and kids. I owe so much of this to Dr. Lichtash.
Dr. Lichtash is an incredible doctor. She has a masterful grasp of all the medical and scientific elements at play, but she also is empathetic and sympathetic to the more tricky emotional reasons people seek her help. I have unburdened myself to her about my various issues around eating, and I have always found her a safe and supportive source of strength. Her philosophies have definitely penetrated my day-to-day life, and I know I will never again have the same issues that have plagued me for most of my life. I enjoy our time together. I could not recommend Dr. Lichtash more. She saved my life."
-L.A.
"I have lost and gained the same 30 pounds for my entire adult life. Exhausted, and recently diagnosed as insulin resistant, I made an appointment to meet with Dr. Lichtash - a recommendation from a colleague of hers at Cedars-Sinai. I had low expectations, based on previous attempts to get to the root of my weight issues, but I was curious to meet a doctor who actually specialized in metabolic health. My decision to keep the appointment has been life changing.
Dr. Lichtash is equal parts medical doctor and therapist. Having previously sought out therapy for a short list of concerns, primary of which was weight related, I was relieved to realize that she was going to marry the mental with the physical in an attempt to unlock the coveted key to healthy weight loss. Dr. Lichtash was able to explain the physiology of metabolic health in a way that made sense while at the same time addressing the psychology of why we eat - physical hunger vs. emotional hunger. It was as if a giant lightbulb went off in my head!
I have been seeing Dr. Lichtash for three months and have enjoyed each and every day of my weight management journey. She is compassionate, smart, funny and sincere in her desire to see me succeed. My only regret is that I did not have her in my corner much earlier in my life. She is a treasure."
-R.T.
"My experience with Dr. Lichtash has been life changing. She has guided me in such a way that all the previous weight loss plans seem like coverups as to what it is to shift my view and attitude towards myself, and caring for me is now part of my lifestyle. I love how caring and supporting she is and her teaching skills are incredible. Her method is not about seeing the light at the end of the tunnel but walking in the light with a focus on my heart's desires."
-N.W.
"I was recently hospitalized with an issue that was in part due to being overweight. She helped me lose 40lbs and keep it off. In the first session she spent quite a bit of time reviewing my history and educating me on how to lose the weight. I have referred a number of people who have all been appreciative as well."
"Dr. Lichtash IS GREAT!! My mom has had diabetes and an obesity problem for 20 years before I found Dr Lichtash last year. After her help in adjusting my mom's diet and lifestyle, she was finally able to reverse her diabetes and reduce medications she'd been taking for years! HIGHLY RECOMMEND to anyone who has diabetes or has a loved one who has a diabetes problem."
"What can I say about dr. Lichtash which hasn’t been said. I began seeing her about a year ago to manage my health. [...] She was extremely practical which made this new journey much more palatable. Yes I finally can say all my lab results were normal as of a month ago. I am elated and so is my family!!!!!"
"Dr. Lichtash is very knowledgeable and compassionate. She listens and answers all my questions thoroughly. I highly recommend her to anyone."
"Dr. Lichtash is extremely smart, knowledgeable, caring, and provides individualized care. She does not talk textbook. Having her as my doctor was the best decision I've made."
"Dr. Lichtash saved my life. She changed my medications and I lost a lot of weight. She gave me a lot encouragement and now I'm on the right track. I never can repay her."
"Dr. Lichtash is amazing. I have never had a doctor so attentive. She pays attention to detail, takes time to get to know me. I feel that she cares and is truly looking out for my health."
"I can't imagine a better physician. Empathic, intelligent, curious, patient, respectful - every doctor I've ever met could learn something from Dr. Lichtash."
"Dr. Lichtash is a dream physician: caring, thorough, and a superb listener and communicator. It is a privilege to be her patient."
LOCATION
Dr. Lichtash delivers her care virtually, through a HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform, "Zoom for Healthcare." Her care is widely available to all adult California residents.
