April 5, 2017
Advantages of Physician-Assisted Weight Loss
Losing weight, no matter the amount, is never easy. Though we often wish the weight would simply fall off, it usually requires a combination of time, dedication, changes to diet and changes to activity level. And, even then, it may still be a significant struggle to lose weight. Millions of Americans struggle with obesity and it is not simply obesity that is a concern, but the additional health concerns that may arise as a result of obesity, as the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) notes, “More than one-third (36.5%) of U.S. adults have obesity…Obesity-related conditions include heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer, some of the leading causes of preventable death.” For those that struggle with achieving effective weight loss on their own, or have a substantial amount of weight to lose, physician-assisted weight loss may be an ideal solution.
With physician-assisted weight loss, a patient has a myriad of tools at their disposal to help successfully lose weight. Working with a physician helps remove the guesswork of it all. When losing weight independently, even when following a diet plan, every individual’s unique health will influence how to best achieve weight loss. A physician will help you by running enlightening blood work and closely examining your individual health continuously to carefully tweak your weight loss strategy. Being overweight or obese is not an example of lack of willpower in a patient, it is often influenced by far more many factors and a physician can help provide unique support that could not be achieved elsewhere.
In addition to support and comprehensive wellness exams, a physician can provide pharmaceutical grade supplements that are aimed at weight loss and energy. Mayo Clinic explains who a good candidate is for pharmaceutical weight loss supplements and how successful the supplements can be in aiding weight loss, “Prescription weight-loss drugs are generally reserved for people who haven’t been able to lose weight through diet and exercise, and who have health problems because of their weight. They’re not for people who want to lose just a few pounds for cosmetic reasons…When combined with a low-calorie diet and regular exercise, weight-loss drugs produce an average weight loss of 5 to 10 percent of total body weight within a year, which is a typical weight-loss goal. Diet and exercise are responsible for part of this weight loss, and medications are responsible for part as well.” Prescription weight loss supplements may even be covered by your insurance! By working with a physician to achieve weight loss goals through diet, exercise and possible supplementation, you can get your health back on track and potentially avoid a myriad of health concerns that would otherwise arise as a result of obesity.
