Medical Weight Loss

According to data collected from 2021-2023 by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) in 2017-2018, nearly 40.3% adults in the United States are obese (NCHS Data Brief No. 508, 9/2024). Obesity is a chronic, multi-factorial disease requiring a patient-centered, individualized approach to treatment. Obesity can lead to significant health problems such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, obstructive sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, venous insufficiency, depression, heart attack and stroke. Treatment is best achieved through a medical weight loss program. 

What is medical weight loss?

Medical weight loss is prescribed and directed by a licensed healthcare provider and utilizes multiple components including diet recommendations, exercise, laboratory testing and in some cases prescription medications to aid in achieving sustainable weight loss. Weight gain can be due to a multitude of reasons such as prescription medications, hormonal imbalances, and behavioral causes such as trauma. The process is to implement a successful, sustainable weight loss. 

Can’t I just take a pill or a shot and lose weight?

Sure, you can only commit to the prescription medications for weight loss, but this is not sustainable,and you will likely gain the weight back. It is important to want to change your lifestyle and implement healthy eating, exercising, and good habits so the weight stays off! 

What are the medications for weight loss?

There are quite a few prescription medications, as well as nutritional supplements to aid in weight loss on the market today. The most popular prescription medications today are semaglutide and tirzepatide. Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. Tirzepatide is also a GLP-1, but also a gastric inhibitory polypeptide. They are both gut hormones. Their actions are similar by lowering blood sugar and slowing down gastric emptying, which in turn reduces food intake and keeps you feeling full for a longer period of time.