The pursuit of weight loss is a multifaceted journey, often involving lifestyle adjustments, dietary changes, and, for some, medical interventions. Weight loss medications, like those potentially offered within a program such as "Revolex," aim to work in conjunction with the body's natural processes to support healthy weight management. This article delves into the realm of weight loss medications, exploring their mechanisms, effectiveness, accessibility, and associated considerations, drawing upon insights from medical professionals and real-world experiences.
How Weight Loss Medications Work
Weight loss medications are designed to help you lose weight by working with your body-not against it. They support healthy blood sugar levels, help regulate insulin, and slow down digestion so you feel full sooner and stay satisfied longer.
Individualized Weight Loss Programs
Weight loss programs often emphasize personalized approaches. A Licensed Medical Provider will meet with you one-on-one and evaluate your health history, weight loss goals, and lifestyle to prescribe the best weight loss program individualized to you. To ensure patient safety, new patients are typically required to complete lab work before starting a program.
The Red Mountain Starter Kit and the S.T.I.C.K. Plan
Some programs, like Red Mountain, may include a starter kit and focus on counting servings rather than calories, emphasizing a balance of lean proteins, vegetables, and healthy fats. The S.T.I.C.K. plan is another approach that may be used.
The Role of Semaglutide in Weight Loss
Meredith Schorr, a registered nurse, shared her experience using semaglutide, the active ingredient in medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy, to aid in her weight loss journey. Semaglutide was initially approved for Type 2 diabetes but is now also prescribed for weight loss.
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Schorr emphasized that the medication should not be viewed as a "crutch" but rather as a tool to complement healthy lifestyle changes, including improved exercise and nutrition.
How Semaglutide Works
Semaglutide helps manage Type 2 diabetes by helping people produce insulin and lower the amount of sugar in the blood. It also works by slowing down the movement of food through the stomach and curbing appetite, thereby causing weight loss.
Schorr's Experience with Semaglutide
Schorr started taking a once-weekly injection of semaglutide in February 2022 and lost 50 pounds over 11 months. However, she experienced side effects such as intense nausea and constipation, common side effects of the drug.
She decided to stop taking the medication in January in preparation for trying to become pregnant, as the class of medications that include semaglutide are not recommended for women who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant.
Weight Regain After Stopping Semaglutide
After stopping semaglutide, Schorr noticed she was regaining weight, which she called a "wake-up call." She refocused on making healthy choices and maintaining her health post-semaglutide.
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Schorr believes that semaglutide was life-changing for her and helped kick-start her life back into healthy living.
Expert Perspectives on Semaglutide and Weight Management
Medical experts emphasize that semaglutide is intended to be one part of a comprehensive approach to wellness that also includes a healthy diet and exercise.
Dr. Louis Aronne, director of the Comprehensive Weight Control Center at Weill Cornell Medicine, explained that rebound weight gain can be common after stopping semaglutide because the drug is no longer working in the body. He likened obesity to other chronic diseases, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, where medication is needed regularly to maintain its effect.
Dr. Darien Sutton, an ABC News medical contributor and board-certified emergency medicine physician, said providers may consider different options when prescribing semaglutide to help prevent weight regain, such as changing the dose or tapering the medication.
The Rising Popularity and Potential of Tirzepatide
An Eli Lilly drug, tirzepatide, if approved for weight loss, could become the best-selling drug of all time. Experts are confident that the Food and Drug Administration will grant approval sometime next year.
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Clinical Trial Results
A phase 3 clinical trial found that a high dose of tirzepatide helped patients lose 22.5% of their body weight on average, or about 52 pounds, better than any medication currently on the market.
How Tirzepatide Works
Like semaglutide, tirzepatide is a GLP-1 agonist, mimicking a hormone that helps reduce food intake and appetite. However, tirzepatide also imitates a second hormone, called GIP, which, along with reducing appetite, may also improve how the body breaks down sugar and fat.
Cost and Insurance Coverage
The potential cost of tirzepatide is a concern, with estimates suggesting it could be priced similarly to Wegovy, which costs around $1,500 for a month’s supply.
Insurance coverage for weight loss drugs is often limited, with many insurers reluctant to cover the new therapies. Some insurers may select one of the weight loss drugs and offer coverage, but they often restrict access only to patients who meet a certain threshold, such as a BMI greater than 30.
Dr. Holly Lofton, the director of the weight management program at NYU Langone Health, said that many of her patients are denied coverage by their insurance.
Addressing Bias and Improving Access to Treatment
Dr. Fatima Stanford, an obesity medicine specialist, said that private insurance coverage for anti-obesity medications is spotty, with treatments often restricted to the most expensive plans. Medicare does not cover them.
Lofton, of NYU Langone Health, said insurance coverage of anti-obesity drugs may not improve until more people in the medical field change how they view obesity. She said that it’s not something that diet, exercise or sheer willpower can fix - instead, it’s a dysregulation of fat cells in the body.
Navigating the Landscape of Weight Loss Medications
The medications Mounjaro and Ozempic are approved to treat Type 2 diabetes, but some doctors prescribe them "off-label" for weight loss. Wegovy is specifically approved for weight loss for people with obesity or who are overweight.
Semaglutide, when marketed for weight loss, is sold at a higher dose and called Wegovy; at a lower dose, it’s marketed for diabetes and sold as Ozempic. Similarly, a higher dose of the drug liraglutide is sold under the name Saxenda for weight loss, and at a lower dose, it’s sold as Victoza, for diabetes.
The Importance of a Holistic Approach
Regardless of the specific medication or program, experts emphasize the importance of a holistic approach to weight loss, incorporating healthy eating habits, regular physical activity, and mindful lifestyle choices.
Potential Side Effects and Risks
It's crucial to be aware of potential side effects and risks associated with weight loss medications. Schorr's experience highlights the possibility of side effects like nausea and constipation, which can often be managed with guidance from a healthcare professional.
The Role of Healthcare Professionals
Consulting with a Licensed Medical Provider is essential to determine the most appropriate weight loss program and medication based on individual health history, goals, and lifestyle.