Effective Medical Solutions for Weight Loss
National Institutes of Health state that nearly 1 in 3 adults (30.7%) are overweight, while more than 2 in 5 adults (42.4%) have obesity (including severe obesity).
If you’re an adult who has serious health problems because of your weight, have you tried all types of exercises and diets but haven’t been able to lose enough weight?
If you’re going to answer these questions as a YES, then a prescription weight-loss drug may be a good choice for you.
Prescription drugs are medicines prescribed by healthcare professionals for medical weight loss. You can’t buy them without a prescription.
Wellness at Century City provides medical solutions for weight loss. Dr. Jessica Cho, owner of Wellness at Century City and a reputable medical weight loss doctor,
focuses on nutrition, activity, and lifestyle changes.
Using these solutions for medical weight loss doesn’t mean you don’t have to exercise or eat a healthy diet.
You need to work on these essential factors simultaneously to get better results.
What is Medical Weight Loss?
Medical Weight Loss is a structured program overseen by healthcare professionals. These programs are designed to help individuals lose weight effectively and safely.
They include strategies to address underlying health issues like metabolic rate, hormonal imbalances, or genetic factors.
Consulting with a medical weight loss doctor helps individuals receive a personalized approach, targeting specific factors that can affect their weight loss.
Critical Aspects of Medical Weight Loss
- • Nutritional Guidance: Medical Weight Loss doctors create customized meal plans based on nutritional needs, dietary preferences, and calorie goals.
- • Exercise Plans: Doctors recommend activities related to your fitness level and goals, which you must achieve within a specific time frame.
- • Behavioral Therapy: They contact you and try to understand your eating behaviors. After understanding your patterns, they help address emotional eating or other habits contributing to weight gain.
- • Prescription Medications or Supplements: If deemed safe, a medical weight loss doctor may suggest FDA-approved weight loss medications to support the process.
How Does Medical Weight Loss Work?
The medical weight-loss program has various phases. The first phase starts with an initial consultation, during which the medical weight-loss doctor assesses the patient’s overall health, weight-loss goals, and lifestyle.
They perform various tests and discussions that help uncover potential health issues contributing to weight gains, such as thyroid problems, insulin resistance, or high stress levels.
After thoroughly understanding you, the second phase starts with a plan. They create a specific weight loss plan involving diet modifications, exercise, and medication.
Patients must attend regular check-ups to monitor their progress and adjust their plans as necessary. Frequent consultations help patients stay on track, receive encouragement, and address any new issues as they arise.
What are the costs involved in Medical Weight Loss?
The cost of medical weight loss programs varies widely depending on factors like location, the specific services included, and the level of supervision.
Medical weight loss doctors’ programs can range from several hundred to a few thousand dollars. Many factors can affect the price, including:
- • Length of the Program: If the length of your program is longer, it tends to be more expensive than other programs.
- • Medical Services: Labs, prescription medications, and additional consultations add to the program’s cost, making it more expensive.
- • Customization Level: Medical weight loss programs can be customized and tend to cost more, but they offer benefits that can make the investment worthwhile.
Although a medical weight loss program may seem costly, it provides health benefits, guidance, and support from a medical weight loss doctor, making it a worthwhile investment, particularly if you’ve struggled to achieve lasting weight loss results.
What’s the Best Medical Weight Loss Program?
The best medical weight loss program depends mainly on individual needs. Most of the time, medical weight loss doctors offer programs that vary by patient.
We’ve gathered information on some of the most important and famous medical weight-loss programs:
- • Meal Replacement Plans: These programs focus on structured meal replacements, such as shakes and bars, which are high in nutritional value but low in calories.
These are often paired with behavioral support and regular medical check-ups.
- • Prescription Medication Programs: A qualified medical weight loss doctor may prescribe medication to aid in weight loss. Medications help suppress appetite, increase metabolism, or aid in fat absorption,
but they must be used under medical supervision.
- • Surgical Options: Some significant weight issues require surgical options like gastric bypass or lap band procedures. The surgical option requires a higher medical intervention but can be life-changing for specific individuals.
Choosing the best program depends on several factors, such as health status, weight loss goals, and personal preferences. Consulting with a medical weight loss doctor can be the best starting point for your weight loss journey.
The Role of a Medical Weight Loss Doctor
A medical weight loss doctor must be accountable and reliable to provide suitable programs. Unlike DIY approaches, medical weight loss ensures that patients lose weight and promote overall health.
Benefits of Working with a Medical Weight Loss Doctor
- • Customized Programs:
A personalized approach helps patients receive a plan to suit their needs.
- • Improved Health:
Medical weight loss doesn’t just focus on the scale but also targets cholesterol, blood pressure, and overall wellness.
- • Accountability:
Regular check-ups with a doctor help you stay on track and get adjustments as needed.
- • Safety:
A Medical Weight Loss doctor may prescribe medications if necessary. They closely monitor the use to prevent side effects and complications.
Parting Note
Many wonder whether they need a medical weight loss program or if traditional diets are sufficient. Traditional diets can work, but they often lack the personal attention a medical weight loss doctor provides.
Moreover, a doctor-led program addresses factors that standard diets don’t cover, such as hormonal imbalances or underlying health conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Medical weight loss involves a personalized approach designed and supervised by a medical weight loss doctor. The doctor assesses the individual’s health, lifestyle, and weight loss goals. The factors they include while taking the assessment are metabolic rate, hormonal labels, and any underlying health issues affecting weight. After assessing them, the doctor creates a customized plan, including dietary adjustments, exercise routines, behavioral therapy, and possibly prescription medications.
The cost of a medical weight loss program varies significantly based on the specific treatments, the length of the program, and the type of supervision involved. On average, medical weight loss programs can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. Factors affecting cost include the number of consultations with a medical weight loss doctor, laboratory tests, prescription medications, and any additional services like meal plans or supplements. While the initial cost may be higher than a standard diet plan, many find that the health benefits and professional guidance are worth the investment for long-term weight management.
The best medical weight loss program depends on individual health needs and weight loss goals. Standard options include meal replacement programs, prescription medication plans, and, in some cases, surgical interventions for significant weight issues. For many, the best program is one that a medical weight loss doctor customizes specifically for them, combining dietary guidance, exercise, and any necessary medications to optimize results. Consulting with a doctor helps determine which program aligns best with the patient’s health, preferences, and long-term goals, ensuring a safer, more effective weight loss journey.