Losing weight can be a significant challenge, with many individuals finding that diet and exercise alone are not enough to achieve their goals. Fortunately, medical weight loss programs offer a comprehensive approach that combines lifestyle changes with medical interventions to support effective and sustainable weight loss. In Berkley, Michigan, various clinics provide these services, each with its own strengths and approaches. This article explores what to look for in a weight loss clinic, examines some of the available options, and discusses the potential benefits and considerations of medical weight loss programs.
Understanding Medical Weight Loss
Medical weight loss programs are designed for individuals who need more than just traditional diet and exercise to lose weight. These programs are tailored to meet individual needs and often include a combination of strategies such as:
- Lifestyle Changes: Guidance on nutrition, exercise, and behavior modification.
- Weight Loss Medications: Prescription medications like semaglutide or tirzepatide to help control appetite and improve metabolic function.
- Medical Supervision: Regular check-ins with healthcare professionals to monitor progress and adjust the treatment plan as needed.
The goal of medical weight loss is not only to help patients lose weight but also to address underlying health issues associated with excess weight, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and joint pain.
Benefits of Medical Weight Loss Programs
Choosing a medical weight loss program can offer several advantages over traditional weight loss methods:
- Personalized Plans: Programs are customized to individual needs, taking into account medical history, lifestyle, and weight loss goals.
- Medical Supervision: Healthcare professionals monitor progress, adjust medications, and provide support to ensure safety and effectiveness.
- Medication Options: Access to prescription medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide, which can significantly enhance weight loss results.
- Comprehensive Support: Programs often include nutrition counseling, exercise guidance, and behavioral therapy to promote long-term lifestyle changes.
Options in Berkley, Michigan
WVU Medicine Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery
WVU Medicine Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery offers comprehensive weight-loss programs designed to help individuals obtain a healthy weight and improve their quality of life. They offer both medical and surgical weight-loss programs customized to each patient’s specific needs. The clinic works with patients every step of the way, providing education, resources, and support before, during, and after surgery.
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Surgical Options:
- Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy: This procedure restricts and decreases food intake through surgical removal of approximately 2/3 of the stomach.
- Minimally Invasive and Robotic-Assisted Procedures: WVU Medicine offers the most advanced bariatric procedures using the latest, innovative technology. These procedures result in more precise weight-loss surgeries than ever before.
- Endoscopic Procedures: These procedures access the stomach by inserting a small, flexible scope through the mouth.
Non-Surgical Options:
- Comprehensive medical weight management services in conjunction with a metabolic team.
Considerations:
- Weight-loss surgery has a reputation for being risky, but procedures have improved a lot over the years. It’s riskier to continue to live with the health consequences of morbid obesity, including type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure.
- Bariatric surgery procedures, like sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass, shrink the size of the stomach and change metabolism; they are proven to be safe and effective.
- As with all types of abdominal surgery, there is a chance of post-operative complications, which may include nausea, upset stomach, blood clots, gastric leak, or wound infection.
- Additional testing and/or evaluations with other medical specialists will be needed. Screening tests performed before surgery help plan for surgical care.
- In general, after the initial consultation in the office, it can take anywhere from three to six months to have the surgery.
- Most, but not all, insurance companies cover bariatric surgery. Prior to attending the information session, all patients are asked to contact their insurance company to inquire about their specific benefits/policy.
Outcomes:
- The average length of surgery for the bypass is about one hour.
- The average length of stay for a gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy is two nights.
- Patients generally lose 60 to 85 percent of their excess weight within the first year after surgery.
- After that, weight loss continues until about 18 months post-surgery when patients usually achieve their goal weight.
Post-Surgery Care:
- Patients who undergo bariatric surgery must adopt permanent lifestyle changes for the procedure to remain effective.
- You’ll work with a nutritionist who can help you make necessary adjustments.
- Food intake after surgery is limited to one or two ounces per scheduled meal, so that the stomach can heal properly. Later, the amount of food you can eat increases.
- Most patients who receive bariatric surgery lose and keep off substantial weight, often 100 pounds or more.
- Patients generally lose 60 to 85 percent of their excess weight within the first year after surgery.
- If you exercise, attend WVU Medicine bariatric support groups, and eat healthy foods, your weight loss from bariatric surgery may be significantly greater.
- Individuals of childbearing age should avoid pregnancy for one year after surgery because rapid weight loss and nutritional deficiencies can harm a developing fetus.
Klinic
Klinic specializes in connecting individuals with top medical weight loss clinics in Berkley, Michigan. They offer a streamlined approach to finding the right program tailored to individual needs. Klinic emphasizes the importance of addressing the health risks associated with increased BMI, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and joint pain.
Medication Options:
- Semaglutide: A GLP-1 medication administered through a weekly subcutaneous injection, customized to individual needs without lengthy waits for medication availability.
- Tirzepatide: Similar to semaglutide, given through a weekly injection, reducing blood sugar while curbing hunger.
Program Focus:
- Customized plans based on individual needs.
- Doctor-supervised weight loss with medical providers and treatments.
- Pairing medications with lifestyle changes.
Considerations:
- Weight loss is important for more than just appearances; it's essential for overall health.
- Increased BMI may put individuals at risk of various health conditions.
- A healthy lifestyle is key to reaching an ideal weight, but it’s difficult to exercise if physical activity causes pain.
- Cravings may make it difficult to eat well.
- Other factors playing a role may include genetics, a lack of knowledge of what a balanced diet looks like, or limited time for physical activity, preparing healthy meals, and sleeping.
Other Medical Weight Loss Clinics
In addition to WVU Medicine and Klinic, other medical weight loss clinics in the Berkley, Michigan area may offer various services, including:
- Comprehensive Assessments: Medical history review, physical exams, and lab tests to identify underlying health issues.
- Customized Treatment Plans: Tailored programs that include diet, exercise, medication, and behavioral therapy.
- Ongoing Support: Regular check-ins, counseling, and support groups to help patients stay on track.
Medications Used in Medical Weight Loss
Several medications are commonly used in medical weight loss programs to help patients achieve their goals. These medications work through different mechanisms, such as suppressing appetite, increasing metabolism, or blocking fat absorption.
Semaglutide
Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that mimics the effects of a natural hormone in the body. It works by:
- Reducing Appetite: Semaglutide slows down gastric emptying, which helps you feel full for longer and reduces cravings.
- Improving Blood Sugar Control: It stimulates insulin release and reduces glucagon secretion, which helps regulate blood sugar levels.
- Promoting Weight Loss: By reducing appetite and improving blood sugar control, semaglutide can lead to significant weight loss.
Tirzepatide
Tirzepatide is another GLP-1 receptor agonist that also acts as a GIP receptor agonist. This dual action helps to:
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- Reduce Appetite: Similar to semaglutide, tirzepatide slows down gastric emptying and reduces cravings.
- Improve Blood Sugar Control: It enhances insulin secretion and reduces glucagon secretion, leading to better blood sugar regulation.
- Enhance Weight Loss: The combination of GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonism may result in more significant weight loss compared to GLP-1 receptor agonists alone.
Additional Support and Services
Berkley Urgent Care
While not a weight loss clinic, Berkley Urgent Care is a valuable resource for general health needs. Located at the intersection of Greenfield and 12 Mile roads, it offers quality, affordable care with minimal wait times.
Services:
- Treatment for non-life-threatening issues.
- Digital x-ray suite and a trauma procedure room.
- Rapid COVID Testing: PCR, Antigen, Molecular and Antibody COVID testing available.
Patient Testimonials:
- Amber R.: Praises the doctor's skill in stitches, the trained staff, and the clean, new office with a flexible schedule.
- Sheri M.: Appreciates the friendly atmosphere and professional staff who diagnosed and handled the problem quickly.
- Susan B.: Highlights the fast service, thoroughness, and efficiency of the care received.
- Nelson F.: Commends the fast service, professional care, and individual attention received while visiting from out of state.
- Sandra G.: Received excellent care from Dr. Saleh, noting the impeccably clean facilities and pleasant staff.
Laser Fat Loss Treatments
Some clinics offer laser fat loss treatments as a non-invasive method to reduce body fat. These treatments use laser wavelengths to stimulate fat cells to release their contents.
How it Works:
- Dual coherent laser wavelengths of 680nm and 980nm supercharge the metabolism and stimulate the fat cells to open and release intra-cellular fat, water, and toxins.
- The stored fat energy is then utilized by the body through the natural metabolic process of ATP synthesis.
- The by-product carbon dioxide (CO2) is exhausted through respiration.
- The remaining water and toxins are then excreted out of the body via urine and sweat.
Treatment Plan:
- Patients start their program by focusing on losing their first 20 pounds of body fat, which usually takes around twenty-four treatments.
- If the patient needs to lose more than 20 pounds of fat, they will continue treatments until their goal is reached.
- Treatment session needs vary from client to client.
Results:
- Body Fat % Lost: 1.77% avg.
- Pounds of Body Fat Lost: 4.53 lbs. avg.
- Pounds of Fat Lost per week: 1.51 lbs.
Making an Informed Decision
Choosing the right weight loss clinic involves careful consideration of several factors:
- Credentials and Experience: Look for clinics with qualified healthcare professionals, such as board-certified physicians, registered dietitians, and certified personal trainers.
- Program Options: Consider the types of programs offered, including medical weight loss, surgical weight loss, and lifestyle interventions.
- Personalized Approach: Ensure that the clinic tailors its programs to meet individual needs and goals.
- Support Services: Check for comprehensive support services, such as nutrition counseling, exercise guidance, and behavioral therapy.
- Cost and Insurance Coverage: Inquire about the cost of the program and whether it is covered by insurance.
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