Who is a candidate for weight loss medications?

If you are obese with a body mass index (BMI) of greater than 30 or overweight with a BMI greater than 27 and also has weight-related medical problems, you may be a candidate for specific weight loss medications. Weight-related medical problems include type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Losing weight can help alleviate symptoms of these diseases and prevent complications.

Medications aren’t usually used as the first course of treatment but are prescribed when behavior modifications and nutritional counseling aren’t enough to help you achieve your weight loss goals.

Before prescribing any weight loss medications, the doctors review your medical history and the medications you take, if any. They want to make sure you don’t experience drug interactions. They also determine if your medications might cause weight gain.

How can weight-loss medications help me lose weight?

Weight loss medications can suppress your appetite and decrease cravings so that you can stick to a lower-calorie plan. Some medications prescribed at NutriHealth Weight Loss also help with diseases like depression and diabetes, or they help you quit smoking, too.

The medications can also reset your “set point,” the weight range that your body tries to maintain. In people who are obese, this set point is elevated, so if you restrict calories to achieve a healthier size, your body perceives that you’re starving. Some weight loss medications change the brain signals that are stuck on your current set point, so you can reduce your calorie intake, lose weight, and keep it off.

Do weight-loss medications really work?

Weight loss medications work for the vast majority of patients that take them. But, they should always be paired with smart nutrition and an exercise plan, such as those provided by the team at NutriHealth Weight Loss.

The behavioral health services offered at NutriHealth Weight Loss also help ingrain new habits that support long-term weight loss, so you don’t have to be on weight loss medications forever.

Call the friendly office staff today to learn if you’re a candidate for weight loss medications, or use this website to schedule your appointment online.