Why Commercial Weight Loss Solutions Don’t Work
Medical Information, Nutrition, Weight Loss Tips • October 22, 2018
Ever heard of the Atkins or South Beach diet?
“You’ll shed pounds.”
“You’ll burn stubborn belly fat.”
Too bad taglines can’t meet any universal promises. And that’s because there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to the numbers on a scale. It’s no wonder people ask me, “What exactly is MEDICAL weight loss then?”
I’m sure you’ve also heard about bariatric surgery, like gastric bypass and gastric sleeve procedures, to treat obesity. They can work well for some.
But the good news is that there’s a non-invasive track as well. It encompasses nutrition and diet, exercise, and modifying lifestyles to achieve a healthy body weight. Sometimes, it also involves using anti-obesity medication and medical meal replacement programs.
Let’s stop right there and clarify what constitutes “obesity.” To determine if you’re in this category, an individual’s BMI (body mass index) must be higher than 30. In fact, it doesn’t take much to be “in” that category; it may mean that you’re carrying around an extra 20 to 30 pounds, max.
So, What’s The BIG Deal… Anyway?
Is it so bad to wear pants with an elastic waistline?
Is appearance or body image the only motivating factor in staying fit?
While body image and confidence can be incredibly important for some, there many other are critical reasons to strive for a healthy body weight.
OBESITY FUELS:
- HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
- HEART DISEASE
- STROKE
- JOINT PAIN
- CERTAIN CANCERS
- FATTY LIVER AND CIRRHOSIS
- SLEEP APNEA
- TYPE 2 DIABETES
- DEPRESSION
Along with a detailed medical questionnaire, a patient’s labs will be reviewed prior to a one-hour, in-office appointment. After performing a physical exam as well as recording a patient’s BMI and EKG, we’ll explore their current medications.
Next, we’ll devise a comprehensive and customized plan of action. Under this umbrella, we’ll address a diet and exercise plan, explore self-sabotaging behaviors, and examine the plausible need for anti-obesity (appetite suppressing) medications. Again, no two patients will have the same exact plan.
For some patients, we also discuss the use of the OPTIFAST meal-replacement system, which is safe and often a fantastic resource for jump-starting weight loss, while being medically monitored and supported by our caring staff.
The bonus!
If a patient starts their plan, and doesn’t like something about it, we’re just a phone call or an email away. Nothing is set in stone.
Obesity is finally being recognized by the medical community as a disease like any other. We know that small steps can become big steps. So, let us help you build the staircase… together, we can reach the top.
Think Rocky Balboa… let’s bring out the fighter in you!
Elyse Dishler, M.D.
Medical Weight Loss of Chery Hill
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