Losing weight and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can be a lifelong challenge. For individuals who find it difficult to achieve their weight loss goals through diet and exercise alone, medically supervised weight loss programs offer a supportive and effective solution. These programs provide comprehensive care, addressing not only weight loss but also associated health conditions and long-term weight management.
Understanding Medical Weight Loss
Medical weight loss, also known as medically supervised weight loss, is a non-surgical approach designed for individuals who need more than just diet and exercise to lose weight. These programs are typically run by accredited and board-certified weight management teams, offering safe and supportive care. The focus extends beyond the treatment or procedure itself, encompassing nutrition counseling, health evaluations, educational classes, support groups, and treatment of weight-related issues. Long-term follow-ups are also provided to ensure continued success.
How Weight Loss Medications Work
Prescription medications play a significant role in medical weight loss. These medications are generally categorized into oral and injectable forms, affecting the body in several ways:
- Prolonging feelings of fullness: Certain medications help individuals feel full for longer periods, reducing overall food intake.
- Reducing cravings and appetite: Some drugs work by diminishing food cravings and appetite, effectively reducing "food noise."
- Promoting faster satiety: These medications help individuals feel full more quickly, leading to reduced meal sizes.
It's crucial to understand that weight loss medications are most effective when taken consistently as part of a comprehensive weight management plan. These medications are often integrated into weight loss management services to assist individuals with obesity and related health conditions.
Types of Weight Loss Medications
MU Health Care offers a variety of weight loss medications, including:
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Oral Medications
- Phentermine: A stimulant used since the 1970s to suppress appetite.
- Phentermine-topiramate: A combination of a stimulant and an antiseizure medication, effective in suppressing appetite and potentially more effective than phentermine alone for some patients.
- Bupropion-naltrexone: A combination of drugs used to treat depression and opiate addiction, which reduces appetite and food cravings.
Injectable Medications
These medications are glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) antagonists, initially developed for treating Type 2 diabetes. They mimic hormones released after eating, reducing food cravings and prolonging feelings of fullness by slowing digestion. MU Health Care offers three FDA-approved injectable weight loss drugs:
- Tirzepatide
- Semaglutide
- Liraglutide
Qualifying for Weight Loss Medications
To be eligible for medical weight loss, individuals typically need to meet one of the following criteria:
- A body mass index (BMI) of 27 or greater with other health conditions associated with weight.
- A BMI of 30 or greater without health conditions associated with weight.
Associated health conditions may include heart and vascular conditions, joint pain, osteoarthritis, obstructive sleep apnea, and Type 2 diabetes.
Insurance coverage can vary, and weight loss teams can assist in understanding coverage and navigating the insurance process.
Comprehensive Weight Loss and Wellness Solutions
Medical Weight Loss Programs
These programs often include GLP-1 medical weight loss, tailored to individual needs. GLP-1 medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide regulate appetite, slow digestion, and improve blood sugar levels by increasing insulin sensitivity. This makes it easier to lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle. A comprehensive approach may include 3D body scanning, nutrition guidance, peptide therapy, and ongoing medical supervision.
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Vitamin Injectables
Vitamin injectables deliver essential nutrients directly into the bloodstream, ensuring maximum absorption and immediate benefits. They can boost immunity, energy, and overall well-being.
Nutritional Consultation
Expert nutrition specialists create balanced, sustainable eating plans that support weight loss and overall health. These consultations focus on informed food choices that align with individual lifestyles and dietary preferences.
3D Body Scanning
Cutting-edge 3D body scanning technology provides precise measurements and insights into body composition, helping individuals track changes in their physique and stay motivated.
Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone (GHRH)
GHRH therapy stimulates natural growth hormone production, which can lead to improvements in fat loss, muscle growth, and overall vitality.
GLP Complete Vitamins
Specially formulated supplements support overall wellness, providing essential nutrients to boost metabolism, enhance energy levels, and improve the immune system.
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Peptide Pills
Peptide therapy, available in easy-to-take pills, supports various bodily functions, including weight loss, muscle gain, and anti-aging.
Physician Consultation
Personalized care and expert advice from experienced doctors ensure that weight loss plans are effective, safe, and aligned with overall health goals.
The Importance of a Multidisciplinary Approach
A multidisciplinary team is crucial for successful weight loss. The Weight and Wellness Institute, for example, brings together specialists from various fields to ensure patients have the best possible start to their weight loss journey. Team members may include:
- Physicians and nurse practitioners
- Nurses
- Exercise physiologists
- Behavioral therapists
- Registered dietitians
- Medical assistants
These professionals work collaboratively to help patients make informed choices that lead to healthier outcomes.
Behavioral Health Integration
Behavioral evaluations help individuals address emotional and behavioral challenges associated with weight loss. This may include strategies for managing emotional eating, developing coping mechanisms for stress, and building a positive relationship with food.
Nutrition Evaluation and Counseling
Trained dietitians review current diets and work with individuals to develop healthier solutions. They create individualized plans that promote healthy weight loss and long-term lifestyle changes.
Exercise Physiology
Exercise specialists design personalized exercise programs that promote physical fitness and support weight loss goals. These programs may include a combination of cardiovascular exercise, strength training, and flexibility exercises.
What Sets Weight Management Programs Apart
Weight management teams are typically staffed with accredited and board-certified experts in weight management and metabolism. They possess specialized training in medical weight loss and are knowledgeable in the safest, most up-to-date weight management treatments.
These teams prioritize getting to know each patient, understanding their weight loss goals, and assessing their diet and exercise habits. Providers review medical histories and current medications, discussing all weight loss options, including medical weight loss and weight loss surgery.
Patients also benefit from easy referral access to specialists in other areas of medicine, ensuring coordinated care for related conditions such as high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and Type 2 diabetes.
Surgical Weight Loss Options
For individuals with severe obesity, bariatric surgery offers a life-changing solution. It is typically recommended for those who have not achieved success with lifestyle changes alone.
Qualifying for Weight Loss Surgery
Candidates for weight loss surgery generally meet the following criteria:
- A BMI of 40 or higher, indicating Class III obesity.
- A BMI between 35 and 40 with related health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or severe sleep apnea.
- Previous unsuccessful attempts to lose weight through medically supervised programs.
- Age between 18 and 65 years.
- Mental and physical preparedness for surgery and significant lifestyle changes.
- Commitment to lifelong lifestyle changes.
- Absence of high-risk medical conditions.
- Nicotine-free and free from substance abuse.
- Completion of a psychosocial-behavioral evaluation within 12 months before surgery.
- A comprehensive medical history and physical examination within six months of approval.
- Documentation and optimized management of obesity-related medical conditions.
Types of Bariatric Surgery
Several types of bariatric surgery are available, each with its own advantages and considerations:
- Gastric sleeve surgery (sleeve gastrectomy): This procedure removes approximately 75% of the stomach, leaving a small, banana-shaped pouch. It is a permanent solution suitable for individuals with a BMI of 40 or above.
- Gastric bypass surgery: This involves dividing the stomach into two sections and rerouting part of the small intestine to create a smaller stomach pouch. It is appropriate for individuals with a BMI of 35+ with obesity-related health issues or a BMI of 40+.
- Gastric band surgery: An inflatable silicone band is placed around the upper part of the stomach to create a small pouch. This non-permanent solution is ideal for those seeking gradual weight loss with fewer risks.
Benefits of Weight Loss Surgery
Weight loss surgery can lead to significant improvements in various health conditions, including:
- Diabetes mellitus type 2
- Hypertension
- Hyperlipidemia
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Heart disease
- Arthritis of weight-bearing joints
- Multiple cancers
- Fatty liver disease
- Metabolic syndrome
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome
- Recurrent abdominal hernias
- Recurrent skin fold infections
Choosing the Right Weight Loss Surgeon
Selecting an experienced and qualified weight loss surgeon is crucial. Key considerations include:
- Specialization in bariatric surgery with additional fellowship training.
- Board certification and recognition as a leader in bariatric surgery and scientific research.
- In-network status with your insurance provider.
- A comprehensive support team that addresses concerns and assists in emergencies.
- A personal connection with the surgeon, ensuring personalized care.
- Expertise in minimally invasive surgeries.
- Ongoing support throughout the weight loss journey, including pre-surgery education, post-surgery follow-up, and long-term weight management plans.
Paying for Weight Loss Surgery
Understanding the costs associated with weight loss surgery is essential. Options for covering these costs include:
- Health insurance: Check if your health insurance provider covers the procedure.
- Medicare: Medicare plans may cover weight loss surgery if specific conditions related to class III obesity are met.
- Cash-pay option: Paying directly without using insurance.
- Savings: Setting aside money over time.
- Medical loans: Personal loans specifically for medical expenses.
- Secured personal loans: Using collateral to secure a loan with better interest rates.
- Credit cards: Using a credit card with a low introductory APR, but be aware of potential interest rate increases.
A financial counselor can help explore all options and find the most affordable solution.
The Impact of Weight Loss on Fertility
Obesity can significantly affect fertility in both men and women. Excess weight can lead to hormonal imbalances, irregular menstrual cycles, and increased risk of conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). For women, a BMI above 27 triples the likelihood of anovulation, where no egg is released.
Weight loss, whether through lifestyle changes or bariatric surgery, can improve fertility and increase the chances of a healthy pregnancy. After weight loss surgery, it is generally recommended to wait 18 to 24 months before trying to conceive to allow the body to stabilize and ensure adequate nutrient absorption.
Safe and Effective Weight Loss
When prescribed by a doctor and used as directed, medical weight loss is generally very safe. Routine follow-up appointments are essential to monitor weight loss and provide continued support, education, and accountability.
For most people, losing weight is challenging, especially when there is a significant amount of weight to lose. Medical weight loss programs and bariatric surgery offer effective tools to help individuals reach and maintain their weight loss goals, improving their overall health and quality of life.