Are you tired of unsuccessful dieting and seeking a sustainable path to weight loss? You're not alone. Navigating the myriad of diets and commercial weight loss plans can be overwhelming. A key element often missing from these programs is the personalized support from healthcare experts, which is a cornerstone of medically supervised weight management. This article delves into the Park Nicollet Weight Loss Program, exploring medical weight management, prescription weight loss medications, and bariatric surgery options.
Understanding Medical Weight Management
Medical weight management is a non-surgical approach to weight loss, focusing on establishing healthy, sustainable habits. Unlike solo dieting, this program provides a dedicated team of experts, including a doctor and a dietitian, to guide, support, and hold you accountable. Depending on individual needs, the team may also include nurses, physical therapists, and psychologists.
Who is a Good Candidate?
Medical weight management is suitable for individuals who:
- Have struggled to maintain lifestyle changes for weight loss.
- Have a Body Mass Index (BMI) indicating overweight or obesity.
- Are not candidates for bariatric surgery due to medical or psychological conditions.
What to Expect
Weight loss results vary due to individual differences in how bodies respond to treatment. While some may experience immediate weight loss, it's essential to view medical weight management as a long-term journey. The program focuses on creating lasting lifestyle changes rather than quick fixes.
The Role of Diet and Exercise
A weight loss diet typically emphasizes reduced refined carbohydrates and increased fiber-rich foods and lean proteins. These foods generally have fewer calories and promote satiety. However, no food is entirely off-limits. The program emphasizes a balanced approach to eating, recognizing that food is not just fuel but also plays a role in social activities and emotional well-being.
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Exercise is another crucial component. Participants learn about exercises tailored to achieve and maintain a healthy body weight. A combination of cardio, strength training, and flexibility exercises is generally recommended.
Addressing the Psychological Aspects of Weight Loss
Weight control extends beyond balancing calorie intake and expenditure. Emotional and psychological factors significantly influence eating habits. Food can be a source of frustration, and weight loss can seem impossible despite efforts to eat healthily and exercise. Addressing attitudes and emotions related to food is crucial for sustainable weight management.
The Body's Set-Point Weight
The body often defends a specific weight, making weight loss challenging. Losing weight can lower the metabolic rate, causing the body to burn calories more slowly. Additionally, appetite may increase after weight loss, even though fewer calories are needed to maintain the new weight.
Prescription Weight Loss Medications
Prescription weight loss medications can be a valuable tool within a comprehensive medical weight management program. These medications work best when combined with a balanced diet and regular exercise.
Finding the Right Medication
Doctors typically prescribe a limited amount of medication initially (4-6 weeks) to assess its effectiveness and side effects. Factors such as age and existing medical conditions influence medication choices. Some medications are only approved for adults, while others can be used in children. Certain medical conditions may preclude the use of specific weight loss medications.
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How Medications Work
Weight loss medications can lower the body's set-point weight, making it easier to maintain a lower weight. They can also address physiological responses to weight loss through hormonal changes, mitigating increased hunger and decreased metabolism.
Safety and Effectiveness
Approximately 85% of individuals using weight loss medications experience significant weight loss. FDA-approved medications are generally considered safe and effective, with mild side effects such as nausea, constipation, and diarrhea. It's crucial to avoid pills and supplements not approved by the FDA, as their safety is not guaranteed. Most FDA-approved medications require a prescription.
Common Weight Loss Medications
- Phentermine: This medication stimulates the nervous system, reduces appetite, and promotes feelings of fullness. On average, individuals lose 15-20 pounds in six months.
- Bupropion-Naltrexone: This combination medication includes an antidepressant (bupropion) and a medication used for opioid and alcohol use disorder (naltrexone). Studies show potential weight loss of up to 20 pounds.
- Orlistat: This medication reduces the body's ability to digest fat, leading to fewer calories absorbed. However, it can cause digestive side effects like stomach pain and oily stools.
- GLP-1 Agonists: These medications slow stomach emptying, increasing feelings of fullness. They can also reduce the release of glucagon, a hormone that increases hunger. Semaglutide, a GLP-1 agonist, has shown long-term weight loss maintenance in clinical studies.
- Setmelanotide: This injection is used for obesity caused by specific genetic mutations. It activates melanocortin 4 receptors in the brain, reducing hunger, decreasing calorie intake, and boosting metabolism.
- Ozempic: While approved for type 2 diabetes, Ozempic contains the same active ingredient (semaglutide) as Wegovy, a weight loss medication. It promotes fullness and reduces appetite.
Insurance Coverage
Some health insurance plans may cover prescription weight loss medications, making weight management more affordable.
Bariatric Surgery: A Surgical Weight Loss Treatment Option
In some cases, the medical team at Park Nicollet may recommend bariatric surgery, especially for individuals with a high BMI who haven't achieved adequate weight loss through medical interventions. The surgical team works closely with the medical team to coordinate care and provide extensive post-operative support.
Minimally Invasive Procedures
Surgeries are performed laparoscopically, using minimally invasive incisions to reduce pain, complications, and recovery time. Park Nicollet's Bariatric Surgery and Weight Center is nationally accredited by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP). They were also among the first in the region to integrate surgical and medical programs, providing comprehensive care before, during, and after surgery.
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Types of Bariatric Surgery
- Gastric Bypass Surgery (Roux-en-Y): This procedure creates a small stomach pouch and attaches it to a Y-shaped section of the small intestine. This alters hormone signaling, facilitating weight loss beyond what lifestyle changes alone can achieve. Gastric bypass can often reduce or eliminate health problems associated with obesity.
- Gastric Sleeve Surgery: This procedure removes over half of the stomach, creating a small tube or "sleeve." This also changes hormone signaling between the gut and brain, improving weight loss outcomes. Benefits include reduced risk of complications, less abdominal pain, and minimal impact on vitamin and nutrient absorption.
- Duodenal Switch Surgery: This complex procedure combines gastric sleeve surgery and gastric bypass surgery. It creates a narrow, tube-shaped stomach and reroutes it to a large segment of the small intestine. Duodenal switch surgery results in the most significant weight loss and lowers health risks associated with obesity. However, it carries risks of long-term vitamin and mineral deficiency and lifestyle challenges due to malabsorption.
- Revision Surgeries: These procedures revise prior gastric procedures that were not adequate for long-term weight loss, such as lap band surgery. Revision surgeries can be challenging and should be performed by an experienced surgical center.
What to Expect at the Center
The comprehensive approach at Park Nicollet includes:
- An intake visit with a bariatrician or physician assistant to review health history.
- An appointment with a dietitian to assess eating habits and patterns.
- A personalized treatment plan for medical weight loss or weight loss surgery.
- Extensive follow-up care and support.
- Additional support options such as physical therapy, psychological support, and group sessions.
- A specialized care team of bariatricians, physician assistants, certified bariatric nurses, registered dietitians, psychologists, and physical therapists.
Video Visits: Convenient Weight Loss Support
Park Nicollet offers video visits for both new and current patients. These visits provide face-to-face consultations with bariatric surgery and weight management experts, allowing for personalized weight loss program creation. Video visits are billed the same as in-person visits and offer easy access to care.
Support Services Available Through Video Visits
- Consultations, intakes, and follow-up appointments for gastric bypass and gastric sleeve surgeries.
- Revision surgeries.
- Non-surgical, medical weight management programs.
- Nutrition counseling.
- Mental health support.
Success Stories: Real People, Real Results
Park Nicollet's Bariatric Surgery and Weight Center has a long history of helping people achieve their weight loss goals. Here are a few inspiring stories:
- Britt: After developing sleep apnea, Britt underwent bariatric surgery and lost 95% of her excess body weight. She now enjoys activities with her family and partner, such as yoga, ice skating, and bike riding.
- Mary: Mary struggled with her weight after being diagnosed with major health problems. After her mother passed away, she decided to take control of her health. She underwent vertical sleeve surgery and is now off insulin and enjoys a more active lifestyle.
- Mark: Mark had been overweight since his teenage years. He underwent surgery and is now enjoying improved health and the ability to participate in activities he previously couldn't.
- Kelsey: Kelsey had multiple health problems, including PCOS, diabetes, high blood pressure, and depression. After undergoing gastric sleeve surgery, she lost 100 pounds and significantly improved her mental and physical health.
Benefits of Losing Weight
Weight loss offers numerous benefits for physical and mental health, including:
- Reduced cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure.
- Reduced risk of heart attack, stroke, diabetes, and cancer.
- Improved health conditions such as sleep apnea and arthritis.
- Prevention of future illnesses like type 2 diabetes.
- Renewed energy and activity levels.
- Higher self-esteem.
- Greater sense of overall health and well-being.