Physician Supervised Weight Loss Programs
Benefits of Medically Supervised Weight Loss
Losing weight is never easy, but it becomes even more difficult when patients are dealing with medical conditions. Complicated medical conditions can leave patients devoid of the energy needed to focus on eating healthy meals and exercise. In some cases, the medications used to treat a medical condition may hinder weight loss. For patients finding it difficult to lose weight, medical weight loss provides an excellent choice. Our Life’s Medicine Physicians teach our patients how to change their daily routine so that the lifestyle change results in permanent weight loss instead of just temporary weight loss because of a diet.
Metacheck
We know that to lose weight we have to burn more calories than we eat. Most of us by now have learned the art of counting calories and reading labels. Calories burned has usually been more of a guesstimate. A persons metabolic rate is specific for them. The Metacheck measures oxygen consumed and uses that to calculate your RESTING METABOLIC RATE. This can then be used to your specific resting energy expenditure. By pinpointing the number of calories burned we can then mathematically determine your TARGET CALORIC ZONE for weight loss and maintenance. READ MORE ABOUT METACHECK
When a patient comes in for weight loss, we take all things into consideration including work schedules and show them how they can make changes to their daily routine to help them lose weight. They leave their first visit with a strategy and plan as well as FDA appetite suppressant.
We begin our weight loss program by going over our patients medical history, family history and medication list. We discuss the patients daily routine, their sleeping habits and the ways they cope with stress. Once we know the ins and outs of the patients daily routine we put together a plan that is "doable". It is at the very least a start into a lifestyle change that we will work towards. Every patient will have a different set of issues and so the initial lifestyle plan will depend on the individual patient. What we try to work toward is a lean protein low carb lifestyle. We teach the patient how to bargain their carbs and manage their weight and weight loss at the same time. We offer an FDA approved appetite suppressant to help our patients with will power and enable them to consistently make better choices. The appetite suppressant is a tool that we use to help out patients train the brain and stomach to feel satisfied with smaller portions and healthier foods. It is a process, not a diet, it becomes more of a lifestyle change. We do it systematically so the patient can start making lasting changes to their daily routine. We also offer weekly Slim Shots which have lipotropic amino acids that help control cravings, Vitamin B complex to boost energy and Vitamin C. The weight loss will average between 1.5 to 3 pounds a week. That rate is suggestive of making dietary changes that are more likely to be long lasting.
Hypothyroidism
There are millions of patients walking around with Hypothyroidism that have been told they don't have thyroid problems based on their lab results. I base the diagnosis on the patients history and symptoms, their physical exam, the family history and the patients basal body temperature. Even if the patients labs come back normal, if there are signs of hypothyroidism and most especially if the patient has been feeling like something is wrong for a long time. Once "we' decide to start treating I use either Armour or Nature throid, a natural active desiccated thyroid replacement hormone. I do no use the more popular synthetic Synthroid because while it may make the labs look better the patients continue to feel terrible and struggle.
Hormone Replacement
It is super important to look at and evaluate our patients hormone panel no matter what the age. In today's world with the way we eat it is very common to find hormone abnormalities. Most people don't realize that grain fed beef(full of GMOs), vegetables and fruits sprayed with insecticides cause hormonal imbalances. If an imbalance is identified we offer different bio-identical hormone delivery options, creams, injections or sublingual troches. In some instances we dont use bio-identical hormones but choose instead to change foods, add supplements and try to get the body to make more of its own hormones if indicated.
Basic Metabolic Panel
Testing is an essential step for patients interested in medical weight loss. A hormone evaluation and blood panels should be done before a weight loss plan is developed. These tests will help find, diagnose and monitor health conditions.
Developing a Holistic, Integrated Weight Loss Plan
After testing is complete, we work with patients to develop a holistic, integrated medical weight loss plan, which is specifically tailored to their medical, hormonal and emotional needs. Along with addressing medical and emotional roadblocks to weight loss, we also provide patients with the education and tools needed to lose weight, ensuring they have the medical support they require through their weight loss journey.
The Importance of Addressing the Underlying Medical Problem
For many patients, the underlying medical problem must be addressed before focusing on weight loss. If the underlying medical problem goes untreated, it increases the difficulty of losing weight. Once underlying medical problems are addressed, and symptoms are controlled, it becomes easier for patients to follow a medical weight loss plan successfully.
Medical Conditions that May Make it Difficult to Lose Weight
Many different medical conditions may make it difficult to lose weight. In some cases, the medical condition itself may result in weight gain, but in other cases, the symptoms that come with the condition may make it difficult to lose weight. The following are a few of the medical conditions that may make weight loss difficult:
• Depression – Patients dealing with chronic pain or chronic diseases often deal with depression. Depression often results in poor eating habits and little motivation to exercise.
• Diabetes I and II – Both types of diabetes can lead to serious complications, and those complications may reduce the quality of life. Losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight can reduce the risk of complications.
• Fatigue – Most patients who experience fatigue find it difficult to deal with everyday tasks, including cooking healthy meals and exercise. In many cases, fatigue is a symptom of an underlying medical or emotional problem.
• Hypertension – Hypertension or high blood pressure, can increase the risk of heart attacks and stroke, even though it comes with few symptoms. Being overweight can cause high blood pressure, as can lack activity.
• Hypothyroidism – Hypothyroidism results in fatigue and weakness and many patients with this condition gain weight or find it difficult to lose excess weight.
• Insomnia – Many studies show that healthy sleeping habits are essential for overall health and weight loss. Individuals dealing with insomnia often find it difficult to lose weight, and insomnia increases the risk for many other health conditions.
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) – Women with PCOS have an excess of androgens, which affects ovulation and menstruation. In some cases, it may result in insulin resistance, increasing the risk for other health problems. Many women with PCOS struggle to lose weight.
Learn how our Medical Professionals can create you a weight loss program that will help you lose weight safely and give you results that are permanent. Call (817)-328-0331 today!