Losing weight can be a challenging endeavor, and many individuals find themselves caught in a cycle of dieting with short-term results. While diets may initially lead to weight loss, they are often difficult to maintain, resulting in frustration and discouragement. The good news is that medical weight loss programs offer an effective and sustainable alternative. These programs provide guidance from medical practitioners to help individuals reduce weight in a healthy manner.
What is a Medical Weight Loss Clinic?
A medical weight loss clinic offers physician-supervised programs designed to help individuals achieve and maintain a healthy weight. Considering that nearly 42 percent of American adults are affected by obesity, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the need for effective weight management solutions is evident. Obesity increases the risk of developing various health conditions, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, hypertension, osteoarthritis, and certain types of cancer.
Personalized Approach to Weight Loss
One of the key advantages of a medically supervised weight loss program is the personalized approach it offers. Instead of relying on generic diet plans, a certified medical professional will evaluate your current physical condition, typical food choices, and activity level. This evaluation allows the doctor to create a custom plan that is easy to understand and adhere to.
Addressing Individual Needs
Physicians craft personalized plans that address patient needs. For instance, many patients undergo resting metabolic rate testing and have a registered dietitian build a meal plan that accurately addresses their caloric needs.
Key Benefits of Walk-In Weight Loss Clinics
Visiting a walk-in weight loss clinic offers a multitude of benefits that extend beyond just shedding pounds. These clinics focus on reclaiming your health, energy, and confidence.
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1. Comprehensive Evaluation and Screening
The truly great thing about a medically supervised program is that you don’t go into it guessing - or hoping - that you’re not making choices that can be harmful to your health. Before you begin your program, your doctor will screen you for existing conditions that you might not know about, such as pre-hypertension. Then you’ll be given diet and exercise suggestions tailored to your current fitness level and medical needs.
2. Customized Fitness Programs
Whether you’ve been a couch potato for years or if you’re active but not taking full advantage of a comprehensive diet and exercise plan, your doctor will be able to structure a fitness program that will be both challenging and possible for you to complete. For example, if your weight is a major issue and you don’t really get around much, your doctor might start you off with a slow walk around the block or on a treadmill. As your lung capacity and endurance improve, you may be advised to increase your walking speed and distance.
3. Support and Accountability
“Falling off the wagon” often happens when you don’t have someone to hold you accountable. Even well-meaning friends and family members might inadvertently contribute to unhealthy choices you make. The key is in the support and instruction you receive from a knowledgeable diet and health professional. When you begin any weight loss program, the initial changes to your diet and activity level may seem overwhelming. Whereas before you might have been too strict with your diet, or allowed yourself to eat as much and whatever you liked, making a permanent lifestyle change can be difficult to implement on your own. However, it doesn’t have to be hard to develop good habits, and it can take less time and effort than you’d think.
4. Improved Health and Energy Levels
The final - and perhaps most exciting - benefits you’ll get from a medically supervised program are those that you can see and feel. You may not notice your physical weight loss results at first, but within a few weeks, you’ll begin to feel healthier and have more energy to do the things you want to do. Once your new habits become an ingrained part of your everyday life, you’ll start to notice how much better you look as you shed the pounds. Clothes will fit better or may start to get looser. Friends and family will compliment you on your weight loss.
5. Identifying Root Causes of Weight Gain
At Synergy Integrative Health and Wellness, we don’t just look at your symptoms, we dig deeper to find the root cause. Some reasons that you may be gaining unexpected weight and should visit a weight loss clinic include:
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- Hormonal imbalances
- Insulin resistance
- Stress and high cortisol
- A sedentary lifestyle
- Medications
We help you understand why the weight gain is happening so that you can lose weight effectively.
6. Addressing Health Challenges Associated with Weight Gain
Visiting a weight loss clinic is about more than losing weight. That’s because unhealthy weight gain can start to negatively impact your health in bigger and more serious ways. Health challenges that walk hand in hand with weight gain include:
- High blood pressure and cholesterol
- Type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes
- Joint pain and inflammation
- Sleep apnea and fatigue
That’s why a weight loss clinic like Synergy Integrative Health and Wellness will guide you through comprehensive testing to rule out or address any serious conditions that you may have as a result of weight gain.
7. Personalized Weight Loss Plans
You’ll be given a personalized weight loss plan that is tailored to you, your goals and your lifestyle. You’ll also be able to discuss weight loss medication. Testing and medication are just one part of weight loss success. You’ll also have the opportunity to speak with a registered dietitian nutritionist and health coach. They will both be there to support you through improving your nutrition and making long- lasting lifestyle changes!
8. Improved Overall Well-being
Some benefits that you may experience throughout your weight loss journey with a weight loss clinic are:
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- Feeling more energized
- Sleeping better
- Clearer skin
- Reduced joint pain
- Less risk of developing chronic inflammation, heart disease, stroke and type two diabetes
- More stable mood and less anxiety
The Process of Visiting a Weight Loss Clinic
A weight loss clinic or medical weight loss clinic can help you get to the root cause of your weight gain. Let’s go through the process of visiting a weight loss clinic and what you can expect. There are just four easy steps:
- Consultation: It’s always recommended that you begin your health journey at a weight loss clinic with a consultation with a weight loss expert. You’ll discuss your health history and symptoms that you’re experiencing.
- Testing: Synergy Integrative Health and Wellness’ weight loss expert will then guide you through comprehensive testing and analyze your results. This helps you get to the root cause of your weight gain quickly!
- Personalized Plan: You’ll be given a personalized weight loss plan that is tailored to you, your goals and your lifestyle. You’ll also be able to discuss weight loss medication.
- Support: Testing and medication are just one part of weight loss success. You’ll also have the opportunity to speak with a registered dietitian nutritionist and health coach. They will both be there to support you through improving your nutrition and making long- lasting lifestyle changes!
Addressing Common Concerns
How Quickly Can You Lose Weight?
Everyone’s journey is different. As a holistic weight loss clinic, the focus is on healthy and steady progress. Quick fixes may look tempting however this can be unhealthy and unsafe for the body. Consistent weight loss over several months often leads to keeping the weight off in the long term.
What About Weight Loss Medication?
Medications like semaglutide and other weight loss injections can be very effective in supporting your weight loss goals. If your weight loss goal is high and you struggle with insulin resistance, weight loss medication may help you lose weight faster and more effectively. Just remember, they’re not magic pills. A weight loss clinic like Synergy Integrative Health and Wellness uses them as part of a bigger weight loss plan. Additionally, if you believe weight loss medication may help you, it’s important to speak to a weight loss expert. Avoid any weight loss clinic online or in-person clinic that does not offer one-on-one consultations!
What is the Difference Between Weight Loss and Medical Weight Loss?
Medical weight loss means that your weight loss journey is overseen by professionals and weight loss experts. You’re not alone in your journey and have a team there to support you the whole way through. At a weight loss clinic, medical weight loss can help you find the root cause of your weight gain through comprehensive testing, nutritional counseling and prescription options like semaglutide. Your weight loss journey is designed to be safe, effective and create long-term results!
Why Does Lifestyle Matter?
Medications can help but lifestyle and nutritional changes are what keep the weight off and help you regain your overall health! Nutrition, sleep, stress and movement all affect your hormones and metabolism. That’s why a weight loss clinic often pairs medical treatments with guidance from a weight loss expert and registered dietitian nutritionist and health coach. This holistic approach helps to create healthy habits in your real life.
Innovative Medications for Weight Loss
While there is no “magic bullet” when it comes to weight loss, new pharmaceutical drugs on the market are giving hope to people who struggle to maintain a healthy weight. Medications, such as Wegovy, available by prescription only, contain an injectable form of a gastrointestinal hormone known as GLP-1. The hormone is a semaglutide that was formerly used in lower doses to treat diabetes, which helps to regulate appetite. When combined with diet and exercise, they can help patients who are overweight or obese lose up to 15 percent of their body weight over time. The medication is approved for adults with a body mass index of 30 or more, or 27 or more if they have at least one coexisting weight-related medical problem, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol. It - and similar drugs that will soon be on the market - are a “game changer” in the battle against obesity, says Ken Fujioka, MD, director of the Nutrition and Metabolic Research Center at Scripps Clinic. “Forty percent of the US population is truly obese,” he says.
Semaglutide and Tirzepatide Injections
Our Medical Weight Loss program offers the powerful aid of semaglutide and tirzepatide injections, the same active ingredients found in Ozempic and Mounjaro! At Lake Urgent Care, our medical weight loss program offers at-home injections only, giving you more flexibility and convenience on your journey. You’ll also receive personalized guidance from our experienced providers to help you achieve safe, sustainable results. Your initial consultation will consist of an evaluation, taking vitals, lab testing*, diet and exercise routine review, and establishing weight loss goals. We offer at-home injections only. This means four pre-filled, frozen injections will be called into the Pharmacy located in Baton Rouge for either pick-up or shipping. Once lab results are received, we’ll call you to review. Injections will need to be administered weekly on the same day. Each visit, you will be weighed in and evaluated.
*Lab prices may vary if your clinic refers you to an off-site lab.
Our clinic focuses on health and wellness, and we want you to lose weight in a healthy, sustainable way. Throughout this program our providers and health coaches will work with you on diet and exercise recommendations that will produce long-term health benefits and results. Semaglutide (Ozempic) helps regulate appetite by mimicking a hormone called GLP-1, which plays a key role in insulin regulation and hunger control. Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) offers dual action by mimicking both GLP-1 and GIP, another hormone involved in metabolism. Both Semaglutide and Tirzepatide are safe and well-researched substances. It typically takes about two weeks for the weight loss injections to start working in the body. Some people begin to see results within the first eight weeks, but most begin to see results within 4-12 weeks. Side effects of Semaglutide and Tirzepatide are common, particularly at higher doses, and may include nausea, vomiting, constipation or diarrhea. Gastrointestinal side effects usually improve with time. Your health care provider will work with you on the appropriate dose for your health and body needs. We’re open 7 days a week, so do not ever hesitate to contact us with questions or concerns!
How do I schedule a weight loss appointment?
Appointments by phone are required at this time to best serve our patients, no online booking. After your initial consultation - which includes an evaluation, vitals, lab testing, a review of your diet and exercise routine, and goal setting - you’ll return once a month for follow-up evaluations.
Scripps Weight Management Program
The Scripps Clinic Center for Weight Management and Bariatric Surgery is one of the most comprehensive weight loss programs in the region. The center’s specially trained, compassionate, multidisciplinary staff has empowered thousands of patients to lose weight, maintain their weight loss, and adopt healthy and sustainable lifelong habits safely and effectively.
Pillars of Weight Loss
Dr. Harris and her colleagues at the Scripps Clinic Center for Weight Management and Bariatric Surgery design individualized weight loss programs based on leading research and evidence-based approaches. The center focuses on what Dr. Harris calls the five pillars of weight loss: diet, exercise, mental health, medication and surgery.
Bariatric Surgery Support Services
For patients who are considering, or have already undergone bariatric surgery, the center offers a wealth of supportive services, such as bariatric surgery support groups to help patients share their experience with others in the same position.
Why is losing, maintaining weight hard?
For many, losing weight and keeping it off takes more than willpower. Our bodies are hard-wired to hang on to excess fat to avoid starvation and can’t tell the difference between an intentional diet and legitimate famine. Once the pounds start coming off, your body will slow down your metabolism to compensate. The real kicker is that your metabolism won’t ever bounce back. For every 2.2 pounds you lose, your metabolism permanently lowers by 30 calories, Dr. Fujioka says. This makes it harder to maintain weight loss and much easier to gain it back - and then some - which prompts a new problem. When you gain more weight than you lost, your body will establish a new set point and will think that higher weight is the normal weight, continually trying to stay at that higher weight. The semaglutide medication helps override that response. “When we get food into our small intestine, we release a hormone called GLP-1 and a couple other hormones that go to the brain and tell us to stop eating and tell the brain it's OK to lose weight. We copied that hormone,” Dr. Fujioka explains. The medication could mean weight loss success for a lot of people, with few, if any, side effects. But there’s a catch: it is pricey and not always covered by insurance. It’s also not yet available in generic form.
Taking the First Step
Walking into a weight loss clinic or speaking with a weight loss expert for the first time can feel intimidating but the process is gentler than you may expect. At Synergy Integrative Health and Wellness, you may begin with a full health assessment where you can discuss your health history and weight loss goals. You may discover that you have hidden obstacles including:
- Insulin resistance
- Hormone imbalances
- Stress and high cortisol
From there, we will create a personalized weight loss plan that includes nutritional guidance, lifestyle support and medical weight loss tools. You’ll be supported every step of the way.