Obesity and being overweight are challenging health issues that affect many people today. Personalized weight management programs in Anchorage provide various options, from lifestyle adjustments to medical interventions, to help individuals achieve their health goals. This article explores different weight loss programs available in Anchorage, including medical and surgical options, to provide a comprehensive guide for those seeking to improve their health and well-being.
Personalized Weight Management: A Holistic Approach
Personalized weight management takes a holistic perspective, integrating behavioral aspects with science to find a way to achieve individual goals. This approach recognizes that the "eat less, exercise more" approach doesn't work for most people and that underlying imbalances or conditions can make weight loss seem impossible. While diet and exercise are very important, they do not always tell the whole story.
Nutrition and Exercise: Simplifying the Basics
In this technological age, nutrition advice is easy to come by but difficult to decipher whether or not it is good advice. Counting calories and measuring portion sizes can get complicated and be a barrier to success. Proper nutrition can be broken down into a few very simple steps, starting with the very basic step of eating real, whole, unprocessed foods.
Exercise doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. All you need is a good pair of shoes to get all of the physical activity required to keep your body healthy. Exercise can be as simple as taking a walk around the block or doing a few pushups, sit-ups, squats, and lunges in your living room.
The Importance of Sleep and Stress Management
Sleep and stress management are two of the most underrated but most important aspects of weight management. Many hormones, which play a role in metabolism and balancing appetite, are produced during sleep cycles. Stress management is important in the control of the hormone cortisol (our stress hormone), which can cause weight gain. Too much stress and not enough sleep can undo a perfect nutrition and exercise plan in a matter of days.
Read also: Weight Loss Guide Andalusia, AL
Medical Reasons for Weight Gain
In addition to lifestyle factors, there are many medical reasons for an inability to lose weight. Hormones, thyroid, metabolic disruptions, bacterial or fungal infections, food sensitivities, or poor gut health can all contribute to weight. Functional medicine clinics aim to help individuals get to the bottom of their weight woes.
Medical Weight Loss Programs
Medical weight loss programs offer a range of options, including medication and lifestyle counseling, to help individuals achieve their weight loss goals.
Semaglutide & Trim Shot
Semaglutide & Trim Shot, available from an FDA-approved pharmacy, is an injectable medication that helps adults lose weight. Semaglutide mimics GLP-1, or glucagon-like peptide-1, which regulates appetite and food intake. It binds to receptors in the stomach lining, slowing stomach emptying. As the stomach empties slowly, the brain is notified that the stomach is full, which results in a decrease in appetite. Trim Shot activates receptors of TWO hormones secreted from the intestine, GLP-1 and GIP, to reduce appetite and food intake. The use of Semaglutide & Trim Shot is not recommended for patients with medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) or MEN 2 (endocrine disorders). In most cases, patients do not experience uncontrollable hunger, and patients will feel satisfied even with smaller portions.
Medications
Weight management programs may include medication, if appropriate, such as Phentermine, Wegovy, and Zepbound. Alaska Premier Health helps individuals take control of their health by identifying goals, crafting a plan, and providing the right support to achieve success. They offer GLP-1 medications and emphasize real results, not gimmicks or fads.
Surgical Weight Loss Options
For individuals with severe obesity or those who have not had success with other weight loss methods, bariatric surgery may be an option. Anchorage offers several surgical weight loss procedures, each with its own benefits and risks.
Read also: Beef jerky: A high-protein option for shedding pounds?
Adjustable Gastric Band
An adjustable gastric band involves an inflatable band that is fastened around the upper portion of the stomach. Food is still digested normally, but a smaller stomach pouch allows for smaller amounts of food to satisfy hunger and promote a feeling of fullness. This feeling of fullness will depend upon the size of the opening created by the gastric band between the pouch and the remainder of the stomach.
Duodenal Switch
The duodenal switch is one of the most powerful and long-lasting weight loss surgeries available, combining a sleeve gastrectomy and intestinal bypass. During the procedure, a surgeon permanently removes about 60 to 70% of the stomach, making it about the size and shape of a banana. The lower intestine is then divided by two-thirds or more, starting at the duodenum, leaving only a few feet where food and digestive enzymes meet. This procedure bypasses the part of the small intestine where food and digestive enzymes meet, promoting weight loss primarily through malabsorption.
Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass
During the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedure, a small stomach pouch is created to restrict food intake. Next, a Y-shaped section of the small intestine is attached to the pouch to allow food to bypass the lower stomach, duodenum, and jejunum, the portion of the small intestine between the duodenum and the ileum. Doing so reduces the amount of calories and nutrients the body absorbs. Following surgery, you may see an improvement in conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea.
Sleeve Gastrectomy
A sleeve gastrectomy removes approximately 85% of the stomach, changing it to the shape of a banana. There are fewer restrictions on foods that you can consume after surgery, although the quantity of food eaten is still considerably reduced. Being able to perform the procedure laparoscopically - that is, through small incisions - helps speed up recovery times. If you are obese with a relatively low body mass index (BMI), a sleeve gastrectomy may be your best option. This is especially true if you have existing conditions that may prevent other types of surgery, such as anemia or Crohn's disease.
Considerations for Bariatric Surgery
Drs. Clark and Lee share a true passion for bariatric surgery and are currently the only fellowship-trained bariatric surgeons in Alaska. They trained at the prestigious Duke University, one of the top bariatric fellowships in the country. You can now choose a cash payment option for bariatric surgery at the Surgery Center of Anchorage. If you qualify for an outpatient procedure, you'll benefit from faster recovery times as patients are up and moving sooner which leads to less nausea, giving you an enhanced patient experience.
Read also: Inspiring Health Transformation
Additional Services and Support
Weight loss programs in Anchorage often provide additional services and support to help individuals succeed.
Nutritional Counseling
Nutritional counseling helps individuals understand proper nutrition and develop healthy eating habits.
Exercise Routines
Weight management programs may include exercise routines customized to meet individual needs and fitness levels.
Women's Health Services
Providing healthcare for women requires a special touch, compassion, and expertise. A broad range of programs and services for women of all ages are available.