As a medical professional with years of experience in the field, I have seen firsthand the struggles that individuals face when trying to lose weight. For some, traditional methods such as diet and exercise may not be enough to achieve significant and sustained weight loss. This is where medical weight loss comes into play. When considering medical weight loss, it's important to understand that there are different options available depending on your individual needs and goals. For those with a BMI over 35 or over 30 with a weight-related condition, surgical weight loss may be the best option.
This typically involves procedures such as gastric bypass or gastric cuff surgery, which limit the amount of food the stomach can hold and help patients feel full faster. However, surgery is not suitable for everyone. It tends to be more appropriate for individuals with a higher BMI, usually over 40, or for those between the ages of 35 and 40 with related health problems. These patients often find that significant and sustained weight loss not only helps them reach a healthier weight, but also improves or even resolves comorbid conditions such as type 2 diabetes and sleep apnea. For those who may not be suitable candidates for surgery, there are other options available such as prescription weight-loss medications. These medications, when used in combination with lifestyle changes, have been shown to lead to greater weight loss compared to lifestyle changes alone.
However, it's important to note that these medications should only be taken under the supervision of a doctor as part of a structured and supervised approach. In some cases, health professionals may not address issues such as healthy eating habits and physical activity during a general office visit. This is where medical weight-loss programs come in. These programs are tailored to fit your individual needs, goals, and lifestyle, providing you with ongoing guidance and support to develop healthy habits that promote weight loss. Whether you're considering weight-loss surgery or weight-loss medical alternatives such as semaglutide, it's crucial to understand the pros, cons, and ideal candidates for each option. It's also important to note that if weight-loss medications work for you, they may need to be taken long-term in order to maintain the weight you have lost. When choosing a weight-loss program, it's essential to do your research and ask questions about the program's features, safety, costs, and results.
This will help you make an informed decision and find a program that best fits your needs. One option for medical weight loss is a supervised program led by a doctor or advanced provider. These programs not only focus on weight loss, but also educate patients on exercises that can help them achieve and maintain a healthy body weight. The long-term results of surgical and pharmaceutical weight-loss treatments may differ in terms of their impact on lifestyle. Surgical patients often experience sustained weight loss and improvements in obesity-related conditions. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) conducts and supports clinical trials in many diseases and conditions, including overweight and obesity.
These trials help researchers better understand the effectiveness of different weight-loss methods and identify the best candidates for each option.
