The number of people whose body mass index (BMI) exceeds the healthy average keeps rising. Excess weight is not just a matter of esthetics. Its prevalence is alarming because science has confirmed the link between obesity and many life-threatening diseases.

To make matters worse, for many people losing weight seems unattainable. Fad diets promoted in the media seem attractive, but the results are usually minimal, possibly dangerous and frequently short-lived.

This article explains what medical weight loss is and why it is considered the safest and surest way to lose weight.

What Is Medical Weight Loss?

Medical weight loss is a medically supervised program for patients who want to shed extra pounds, resolve health issues related to excess weight, and shape their bodies. It involves a team of medical professionals who create a personalized weight loss plan for each patient based on their unique biological, psychological, and lifestyle characteristics.

The Benefits of Medical Weight Loss

Medical weight loss programs provide multiple benefits. Most importantly, they have a much higher success rate than popular diets that promise quick results. The weight loss is gradual and involves changing lifestyle habits that led to excess weight.

Health Benefits

Losing weight and reducing the BMI to below 25 decreases the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, kidney disease, stroke, and other severe diseases.

Patients on medical weight loss programs typically achieve these health benefits:

• Lower blood sugar
• Lower blood pressure
• Lower cholesterol levels
• Regulated metabolism
• Less bloating
• Reduction in gut inflammation
• Less joint pain
• Improved sleep patterns
• Enhanced mental health

Medical Support

Patients who sign up for a medical weight loss program are supervised and supported by a team of medical professionals, including physicians, nurses, nutritionists, and therapists. They evaluate the patient’s medical history, perform lab tests, and talk to patients about their eating habits and previous diet attempts to plan out a personalized strategy for successful weight loss. Strategies differ from patient to patient and may include prescription medication, hormonal therapy, counseling, and bariatric surgery for obese patients with severe coexisting conditions.

Focused on the Individual

The advantage of medical weight loss programs over other diets is their focus on the individual. Medical plans are tailored for each patient based on their unique metabolic processes, genetics, lifestyle habits, etc. Medical professionals closely monitor the patient’s progress and revise the weight loss plan accordingly, unlike popular diets that are the same for all.

Long-Term Results

Medical weight loss programs focus on gradual weight loss and weight management. They have a much higher success rate than one-size-fits-all diets, and they help patients maintain a healthy weight in the long run.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Medical Weight Loss?

Medically supervised programs are available to most people who want or need to lose weight.

Typical candidates for medical weight loss are patients who meet the following criteria:

• BMI of over 30
• BMI of over 25 with severe comorbidities
• Over 30 pounds of excess weight
• Binge eating disorder
• Emotional eating
• Previous unsuccessful attempts at weight loss through diet and exercise

People with only a few excess pounds may not be suitable for medical weight loss programs. Such patients can benefit from body sculpting treatments such as CoolTone or CoolSculpting, which help average-weight patients eliminate excess fat and tone their bodies.

What Can You Expect from a Medical Weight Loss?

Many patients who undergo a medical weight loss program achieve desired results and keep their optimal weight. The process is gradual but successful. The results are achieved via the following weight-loss strategies:

Behavior Modification

Behavior modification in medical weight loss involves implementing healthier dietary and exercise habits.

Diet

Calorie restriction is the most important aspect of successful weight loss. Medical weight loss experts work with patients to gradually help them form the habit of eating in moderation and choosing healthy over unhealthy foods. Medical experts ensure that the patient doesn’t feel deprived during diet modification.

Exercise

Trained fitness professionals work with physicians to develop a safe exercise regime for each patient according to their age, weight, activity level, and medical issues. The goal is to train patients to adopt the habit of working out regularly.

Hormone Balancing

Weight gain often results from a hormonal imbalance. Medical weight loss professionals test their patients and prescribe hormonal therapy based on lab results.

Hormones that usually prevent patients from losing weight through diet and exercise include cortisol, estrogen, insulin, testosterone, leptin, and thyroid hormones. Medical weight loss professionals typically prescribe medications that regulate these hormones.

Meal Replacement Plan

Medical professionals often use meal replacement plans as part of their medical weight loss strategies. At Vibrant Vitality Clinic, medical providers use the 5-day ProLon Fasting Mimicking Diet to detoxify the patient’s body before creating a sustainable nutrition plan for weight loss.

The ProLon diet includes calorie-restricted, pre-packaged meals for five days, which provide the necessary nutrients and help reset the patient’s metabolism. The patient needs to adhere to the recommended order of consuming each meal and not have any other foods during the five days.

This detoxication plan provides multiple benefits, including lower blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol, increased energy, reduced inflammation, and many more.

Note: To maintain long-term results, try the metabolic diet, which involves changes in diet and lifestyle.

Weight Loss Medications

Some patients manage to lose and maintain their weight with a modified diet and exercise regime. However, most patients who seek medical help for weight loss require medication.

The medical staff at Vibrant Vitality Clinic prescribes different medications depending on the patient’s specific health concerns. This is usually a combination of drugs that stabilize sugar, balance digestion, reduce gut inflammation, reduce the levels of Candida, help with depression, etc. Examples include:

• CR Phentermine
• Topiramate
• Low-dose Naltrexone
• Hydroxytryptophan/Chromium
• Metformin
• Saxenda
• Wellbutrin
• Vyvanse
• MIC B12 shots

Medical Weight Loss Cost

The cost of medical weight loss programs varies depending on the patient’s unique needs and their chosen medical weight-loss facility.

At Vibrant Vitality Clinic, the basic medical weight loss plan costs $249 and consists of a consultation with a medical provider, the creation of a weight-loss strategy, and a follow-up session. Additional treatments such as B12/MIC injections, appetite-suppressing therapies, targeted fitness plans, and fat reduction treatments come at additional costs.

Note: Find out what are the best appetite suppressants, what are their ingredients and how they work.

Insurance plans may cover the cost of a medical weight loss treatment depending on the patient’s health conditions. The ProLon meal-replacement plan is not covered by insurance.

Schedule a consultation today to discuss your treatment options!

Conclusion

Weight loss is a difficult process and repeated failures can exacerbate the problem and build frustration. That is why expert guidance and support is necessary.

Medical weight loss programs help you unlearn the poor habits that lead to weight gain, adopt lifestyle changes for successful weight loss, and achieve a healthier, slimmer body.