Medical weight loss means losing weight with the assistance and supervision of a healthcare provider, usually a doctor. The medical professional will use their knowledge and experience to create a realistic and individualized plan for the patient trying to lose weight. They can also help the patient discover and maintain the right motivation to ensure a successful treatment.
Medical weight loss
There are three main stages of medical weight loss: the initial consultation, behavior modification, and weight loss medications.
Initial consultation
The doctor will meet with the patient for an examination and to learn about their goals. They will talk about the patient’s ideal weight and work with them to develop a plan that will help them achieve the weight loss goals that fit their lifestyle. The initial consultation also enables the person to provide necessary information that may help with the process.
A medical weight loss program ultimately revolves around the idea of “calories in and calories out.” Body fat increases in direct proportion to both inactivity and caloric intake. Fat loss can occur when caloric intake remains constant and physical activity increases. Most people who are obese do not become so due to inactivity or bad eating habits; rather, they have underlying medical conditions that contribute to weight gain and become major hurdles in any effort to reduce that weight. If the doctor determines it is necessary, they may adjust or prescribe new medications to manage any preexisting conditions while the patient is participating in a medically supervised weight reduction program.
Behavioral modification
The most effective way to lose weight is to change behaviors. Basically, the body stores energy as fat tissues; this is the extra weight. People gain weight when they take in more energy from food than they expend on physical activities. Weight loss occurs when more energy is expended during activity than is consumed from food. The significant behaviors that contribute to weight loss are consuming foods with low energy and engaging more in physical activity.
Diet: Energy contained in food is usually measured in calories. During the medical weight loss treatment, the doctor will develop a diet plan for weight loss that consists of foods with low calories to ensure weight loss and eating schedules to assist the body in burning the energy received from eating.
Calories from various sources will affect how one gains or loses weight. The doctor will be able to enlighten the patient on the different diets that help with weight loss, including low-carbohydrate diets, high-protein diets, and intermittent fasting.
Exercise: Physical activity is vital when losing weight. The extra activity contributes to burning the energy that is stored as fat and helps the body utilize the energy from food more effectively. The doctor can suggest various workouts to shed weight and exercises that work with the person’s desired lifestyle. Behavioral changes are highly effective when they are customized to fit the patient.
Weight loss medications
The doctor may prescribe weight loss medication to help patients with the recommended weight loss exercises and diet. The medicines can help the body burn excess energy. However, these drugs can have adverse side effects.
Due to the side effects, the medications are used along with other behavior modifications and are not the only method of weight loss used. The doctor will continue to monitor the patient while on the medication to ensure that no health complications occur.
Why medical weight loss programs
There are many weight reduction plans out there, but they all follow the same basic formula: They tell patients what to eat and how much, without taking into account their unique body, routine, or lifestyle. In contrast, visiting a doctor who specializes in medical weight loss means patients will get a thorough evaluation, have any underlying medical concerns identified and treated, and have a tailored program based on blood work, family history, and medical records.
The doctor will create a diet plan tailored to the person’s specific needs and goals for losing weight as part of their individualized treatment plan. They assess the patient’s current health and fitness levels before designing an individualized workout plan that fits their work schedule. If required, they also prescribe drugs, vitamins, or supplements to aid their progress.
The bottom line
A personalized plan developed by a doctor that combines exercise and healthy foods increases the chances of successful weight loss and living a healthy lifestyle.
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Nika Asistio
Nurse Practitioner & Aesthetic InjectorNika Asistio, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, is a passionate medical director, entrepreneur, and master injector at Unicorn Medical Weight Loss & Medi Spa. With nearly a decade of diverse clinical experience, Nika brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role. She is dedicated to continuous improvement and has received training from the prestigious Medical Aesthetic Art Institute, as well as attending various private trainings, courses, conferences, and labs to enhance her skills as an injector. Nika's upbringing in the Philippines has deeply influenced her approach to aesthetics and wellness, and her nurturing character is evident in her strong connections with clients.