Obesity and related health conditions are significant concerns for many individuals. In Chapel Hill, North Carolina, a variety of medical weight loss programs and services are available to help people achieve healthier lives. This article explores the different options, including hospital-based programs, medical spas, and integrative approaches, as well as the role of medications like semaglutide (Ozempic) and tirzepatide (Zepbound).
Multidisciplinary Weight Management Programs
UNC Hospitals' Weight Management Program
The UNC Hospitals' Weight Management Program (WMP) partners with individuals to find ways to achieve long-term weight loss, lead healthier lives and maximize well-being. The UNC Hospitals' Weight Program (UNC-MWP) at Eastowne is a multidisciplinary program designed for patients with serious medical illnesses in addition to obesity. Highly trained clinicians conduct comprehensive initial evaluations and discuss a broad range of personalized treatments, from targeted lifestyle based counselling to weight loss surgery referral. The program offers intensive individual and/or group counseling on a variety of topics related to diet, physical activity, strategies for weight loss, stress management, etc. They help clients identify realistic weight loss goals and develop individualized weight loss plans, which may include a recommendation for medication or referrals to specialists such as dietitians or bariatric surgeons for further assistance as needed. They specialize in long term treatment strategies using obesity medications with lifestyle changes and limited duration very low calorie programs (Optifast). They work closely with other weight management services at UNC and specialize in management of treatment failures.
UNC Bariatric Surgery Program
For individuals considering surgical options, the UNC Bariatric Surgery Program offers a multidisciplinary team designed for patients interested in undergoing weight loss surgery. The team includes a specialized group of surgeons, nurses, dieticians, mental health providers, and physician extenders. As an accredited American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) Center of Excellence, and Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Blue Distinction Center, the program adheres to high standards of care. They work closely with the other weight management programs here at UNC and are experts in minimally invasive, robotic, and open approaches.
UNC Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG) Program
The UNC Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG) Program provides a non-surgical FDA-approved weight loss procedure for patients. ESG reduces the size of the stomach by up to 80%, helping patients eat less, feel full faster and stay full longer, resulting in fast, safe and durable weight loss. It is performed using a small suturing device and camera that is passed down the patient’s esophagus into the stomach. They work closely with other disciplines (psychologists, dieticians, etc.) to ensure optimal results for their patients.
UNC Family Medicine Center
The UNC Family Medicine Center offers behavioral weight management to help people with greater risk for weight-related health problems lead healthier lives and maximize their well-being. The program is part of the UNC Multidisciplinary Weight Management Program.
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Medical Spas and GLP-1 Treatments
Medical Day Spa and Chapel Hill Wellness Collective
Medical Day Spa partners with Chapel Hill Wellness Collective to offer GLP-1 treatments designed to deliver real, noticeable results while creating a balanced lifestyle. Their expert provider team is dedicated to helping you achieve your weight loss goals. With our GLP-1 therapy, we effectively curb appetite, slow gastric emptying, and create stable results when combined with lifestyle changes.
Medi-Weightloss Chapel Hill
Visit Medi-Weightloss Chapel Hill to join a medically supervised weight loss program near you. The trained weight loss professionals at Medi-Weightloss Chapel Hill help make your weight loss journey stress free and uncomplicated. Their GLP-1 program is tailored to your body, lifestyle, and goals. They provide face-to-face accountability, immediate clinical support, and body composition tracking with medical-grade technology. Physicians trust Medi-Weightloss providers to deliver expert, evidence-based care to their patients.
Integrative Medical Approaches
Integrative Medical Clinic of North Carolina
At the Integrative Medical Clinic of North Carolina, they take a holistic approach to balancing the numerous influences that are within any individual’s control in order to support achieving and sustaining healthy body weight. They work with you to find modifications to nutrition, physical activity, gut health, environmental exposures, stress management and hormonal balance.
The Role of Medications: Semaglutide, Wegovy, and Zepbound
Semaglutide (Ozempic)
Yes, Ozempic (semaglutide) has been shown to be highly effective for weight loss, particularly in individuals with obesity or those who are overweight with related health conditions. While originally developed as a medication to manage type 2 diabetes, its ability to promote weight loss has garnered attention, leading to its use in weight management.
Semaglutide is a once-weekly medication that mimics the GLP-1 hormone to lower blood sugar, reduce appetite, and support weight loss. It supports weight loss through three main actions:
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- Reduces Appetite: It acts on the brain’s appetite centers to decrease hunger and increase feelings of fullness.
- Slows Stomach Emptying: Food stays in the stomach longer, which helps control appetite and reduces food intake.
- Improves Blood Sugar Control: It increases insulin release and reduces glucagon (a hormone that raises blood sugar), especially after meals.
How Ozempic Works for Weight Loss: Ozempic contains semaglutide, which mimics a hormone called GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) that the body naturally produces. This hormone plays a role in regulating blood sugar, insulin, and appetite. When used for weight loss, Ozempic: Reduces Appetite Slows Digestion Improves Blood Sugar Control: Better blood sugar control can also support weight loss by reducing insulin resistance, which is often associated with weight gain.
Wegovy and Zepbound
Both Wegovy and Ozempic (semaglutide) and Zepbound (tirzepatide) are highly effective for weight loss, but Zepbound may offer slightly greater weight loss results according to clinical studies.
- Wegovy and Ozempic (Semaglutide): Approved for weight management, Wegovy mimics the GLP-1 hormone, which helps reduce appetite and slows digestion. In clinical trials, people taking Wegovy lost an average of 15-18% of their body weight over 68 weeks.
- Zepbound (Tirzepatide): Tirzepatide is a dual agonist, targeting both GLP-1 and GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide), which further enhances weight loss by regulating appetite and energy balance. In studies, Zepbound users experienced up to 20-22.5% body weight reduction over a similar period.
Zepbound has shown greater weight loss potential than Wegovy, likely due to its dual-action mechanism on both GLP-1 and GIP. However, both are effective, and individual results may vary depending on factors like medical history, lifestyle, and tolerance to side effects. Ultimately, the choice depends on personal health needs.
The Importance of Sustainability and Self-Care
Sustainability: The health plans and programs that work best focus on sustained long-term change. It is important to celebrate progress, eat foods that taste good, and participate in activities that make us feel strong - in body and mind.
Maintaining 5 to 10% Weight Loss: Losing 5 to 10% of your starting weight is associated with health benefits including improvements in blood pressure, blood sugar levels, cholesterol, and triglycerides. It is also a realistic, achievable goal with sustained changes in diet and physical activity.
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Actions > Weight: Actions are ultimately more important than the number on the scale. You can improve your health by taking healthy actions consistently, no matter how much you weigh. Hard work may not immediately show up on a scale in the way we would like it to, but it still counts. The Weight Management Program emphasizes setting goals, both short-term and long-term, that are measurable without using a scale.
Self-Care: It is a natural human tendency to be hard on ourselves, especially with so many messages about body image and weight loss in the media and our community.