You’ve seen the pictures: a slim, smiling person holding an extra-large pair of pants they wore before they lost weight. What the picture doesn’t show is how difficult it can be to lose weight and keep it off!
Most people need help, even when they are facing obesity-related health risks.
Obesity-Related Health Problems
You know how hard it can be to lose weight, especially if you are one of the 69% of American adults impacted by obesity-related health problems.
And, you probably already know a healthier lifestyle and lower body weight can:
- Increase energy
- Increase overall welfare
- Reduce the risk of developing obesity-related diseases
So, the questions are:
- Why can’t you lose the weight on your own?
- What do you do to get it off permanently?
Don’t worry. You don’t have to do it on your own. You can get help from a medically supervised weight loss program.
Seek a Medically Supervised Program
Your first step is to find a specialized medically supervised weight loss program, like ours.
Typically, you can find these types of programs at:
- Private practices specializing in medically supervised weight loss
- Private and public programs integrated into hospitals and clinics
These programs give you the tools you need to lose weight and keep it off.
Also, they help you:
- Lose weight
- Manage your body weight
- Improve the quality of your life
- Maintain a healthier lifestyle
- Decrease the risk of:
- High blood pressure
- Coronary heart disease
- Stroke
- Abnormal blood fats
- Type 2 diabetes
- Cancer
- Metabolic syndrome
- Osteoarthritis
- Obesity
- Sleep apnea
- Hypoventilation syndrome
- Reproductive problems
- Gallstones
Let’s Talk Program Techniques
You may be surprised to discover there is more to a medically supervised weight loss program than just diet and exercise.
Specialists use a wide range of approaches. They will determine the best one for you based on your health needs and goals.
For example, if you are morbidly obese and your life is at risk, your specialist may suggest a more invasive procedure, like surgery.
Whereas, if you are overweight or obese and only need to lose a moderate amount of weight, your specialist may suggest less invasive methods. So, let’s go over the four techniques specialists most often used in weight loss programs.
Behavior Modifications
This medically supervised weight loss program primarily focuses on changes in your diet and exercise.
Alterations to behavior patterns are essential to the success of any medically supervised weight loss program. Nutritionists help you monitor what you eat, as well as support you when you experience deprivation from the food you use to eat.
Specialists will create a custom-tailored exercise program based on your needs. And this exercise program is particularly crucial for patients who intend to maintain long-term weight loss.
Pre-Packaged Meal Replacement Plans
This medically supervised weight loss program provides you with meal replacement products that support weight-loss counseling on behavior changes.
The meal replacement plan rolls out in phases and includes education and support on transitioning back to self-prepared meals.
Pharmacotherapy
A medically supervised weight loss program may include pharmacotherapy if your specialist deems it necessary to assist in your with weight loss efforts.
There are currently several products approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that are available for use by weight-loss patients.
Surgical Options
Improved surgical techniques and patient outcomes have made surgical weight loss more popular over the past few decades. There are three different types of weight loss surgeries:
- Gastric bypass (sections off the stomach)
- Sleeve gastrectomy (narrows the stomach in the shape of a long sleeve)
- Gastric banding (inhibits the amount of food you can consume by temporarily wrapping an artificial band around the stomach)
Your specialist will go into more detail about the benefits of each type of surgery with you.
What Can You Expect?
Because there are a variety of techniques, your specialist will sit down with you for a consultation before you get started.
First Consultation
During your first consultation, your specialist will determine the best approach for your specific situation by discussing your:
- Psychological history
- Weight history
- Past diet attempts
They need this information so they can understand the underlying causes. Also, they need to determine if you suffer from other diseases related to obesity (comorbidities).
Support System
Although programs can differ in the details, most apply a similar system to each patient’s individual needs.
During the program, your progress will be closely followed by a team of licensed healthcare professionals that may include:
- Physicians
- Nurse practitioners
- Nurses
- Registered dietitians
- Physician assistants
- Psychologists
You may not need to consult with all of these healthcare professionals. However, they are typically available as part of the program, just in case you need their specific expertise.
Cost of Treatment
The cost of these programs depend on the services you require. Lastly, your health insurance company may cover some of the treatment costs.
Our Approach
We believe in comprehensive, personalized care. We won’t treat you like you are a number on a scale. We’ll take the time to get to know you and customize a plan for your specific needs.
Weight management is a struggle for many patients, and it can be even more challenging as we age. We want you to live your best life!
Lastly, come experience what patient-focused care and customized treatment solutions can bring to your health, wellness, and well-being.