Medical weight loss is not about painful surgeries or popping diet tablets. It is a scientifically proven weight management program based on targeting the actual cause of weight gain.
Weight gain or obesity is of late considered as a serious threat. It is said to increase the risk of many medical conditions like heart diseases, cancer, blood pressure irregularities, diabetes and metabolic disorders.
Medical weight loss is an option where medication is used to help lose excess weight along with lifestyle changes.
- Initially a doctor or a certified medical professional interacts with you to
- Identify eating habits/patterns.
- Understand the actual reason for weight gain.
- Questions you about any medical conditions; allergies or side effects of any medication.
- Then after a detailed analysis they take a call on your eligibility for the program.
- They design a customized regime, along with intake of a few medications like.
- Hormone Therapy: As your diet will be based on low calories, it will help protect your muscle strength and help reset your metabolism rate.
- Vitamin Injections: It will take care of the body's nutrient intake and boost energy levels.
- Appetite Suppressants: Prescribed to suppress food cravings and control food intake.
Pros and Cons of medical weight loss
Pros:
- Medication such as appetite suppressants and metabolism booster helps to control intake of food.
- Nutritionist approved diet plan to help monitor intake of all nutrients and supplements required by our body on a daily basis.
- The diet plan is customized based on calorie requirement as per age, height and weight.
- Encouraging lifestyle changes like healthy eating habits and exercise routine that helps to keep our body fit for the long run.
- One-to-One counselling to monitor weight loss and make changes in routine, if needed.
- It proves effective and thus reduces risk of medical conditions like heart attack and diabetes
Cons
- Side effects or allergies caused by the medications prescribed like hair loss, menstrual irregularities, Gallstone formation, etc.
- It definitely requires you to be patient as it is a long term pledge.
- It could prove expensive and may not be covered by all health insurance companies.
- The option for food intake is very limited.
- Sudden decrease in calorie intake may cause fatigue, acidity and nausea.
- Sometimes the side effects can also be aesthetic based like skin sagging around arms, stomach and legs.
It is true that you cannot rule out the side effects caused by the medications prescribed. It is also true that weight-loss drugs don't replace the need to make healthy changes in your eating habits and activity level.
However, some find it impossible to bring their weight under control; and do not have the knowledge to sketch out a well balanced diet. Here medical weight loss programs can definitely help. 5 – 10% reduction in weight can definitely help overcome the threat of being prone to diabetes, heart attack and other ailments.
