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An Overview of Medically Supervised Weight Loss Treatments

Although there are various weight loss treatments available, it’s a known fact that not all are effective. Moreover, the strategies are short term, particularly for morbidly obese individual. Studies suggest that less than five percent among the morbidly obese have a success in losing the desired amount of weight and maintaining the weight loss with non-surgical treatments, a combination of dieting, behavior modification therapy, physical activity counseling and most importantly physical exercise.

It’s indeed possible to lose weight without surgery with the supervision of a certified health care professional who can help the patients to develop an effective and safe weight loss program. Physician supervised weight-loss programs include treatment in a clinical setting with a licensed specialist, medical doctors, nurse, practitioner, registered dieticians and psychologist.

Dietary Modification Program:

The cycle of weight gain and loss makes us go through a variety of diets, such as ‘yo-yo’ dieting. Many of you may not know this but yo-yo diet can actually be hazardous to your health and may stress the heart, kidneys and other organs.

Studies have shown that about ninety percent of patients who participate in all diet programs are likely to regain the weight they’ve lost within two years. Dieting is always the only instrumental part of maintaining weight loss for people who undergo the surgery. Should you have to go on a diet, we highly recommended you get in touch with a healthcare professional who can customize a diet depending on your needs, circumstances and preferences. A diet should restrict your calorie intake and maintain your nutrition at the same time.

Behavior Modification Program:

Behavior Modification Program aims at changing eating and exercise habits in order to promote weight loss. Some of the examples include:

Exercise:

Exercise is a key component for long-term weight loss, particularly post surgery. Getting involved in everyday physical activity can help speed up metabolism and effectively reduce the set point in the brain that makes your body balance a natural weight.

Medications:

There are various Over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription weight loss drugs available, mainly focused on curbing appetites. The drugs may help patients lose excess weight; however, once they stop taking the medication, weight gain usually occurs.

Some of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved weight loss drugs bare Beta-methyl-phenylethylamine (Fastin), Orlistat (Xenical), Phentermine and Sibutramine.

Understand that though medications are an important part of the morbid obesity treatment process, they do come with serious side effects. Hence, it’s a must that you consult a certified health care professional for appropriate medications.

Surgery:

Surgery should be the last option if you have been unsuccessful with the above mentioned weight-loss programs.

There are some criteria to be met if you consider weight loss surgery:

You are required to be 100 pounds over your ideal recommended body weight.

BMI (Body Mass Index) must be of 40 or higher.

This is typically followed by a complete medical and psychological evaluation process to understand if you are strongly motivated and have a clear understanding of the extensive dietary, exercise and medical guidelines that must be followed post surgery.

If you or your loved one is in dire need of medically supervised treatments for weight loss, we recommend getting in touch with weight loss clinic Virginia Beach today!

With Double Board certified doctors at medical weight loss Virginia Beach, take the first step towards good health today for a better tomorrow.

Author
Dr. Gershon Steven Gershon, M.D., is the medical director at Gershon Pain Specialists in Virginia Beach, Virginia. As a board-certified physical medicine and rehabilitation doctor with specialties in pain management and bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, he provides compassionate care that incorporates traditional, alternative, and holistic therapies for the best patient outcomes.

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