Studies show that 90% of diets fail: either they don't work to help people achieve their weight loss goals, or they do initially but the weight comes right back on as soon as the diet is over. Why is this? Simply put, "diets" are usually restrictive, unsustainable changes in eating habits with the typical goal of quick weight loss. And with all the diets out there (Keto, Atkins, Paleo, etc etc)...it's easy to feel overwhelmed and not even know where to start when attempting to eat healthier.
For people seriously interested in sustainable, significant weight loss, I highly recommend considering a medically-supervised weight loss program by a trained obesity medicine doctor. These types of programs have great data for success. So what exactly is a medical weight loss program and how is it different?
1. YOU ARE PAIRED WITH A DOCTOR TO HELP ESTABLISH AN INDIVIDUALIZED TREATMENT PLAN:
So many times, people enroll in diet plans that are generic, on-size fits all. These plans may not take into account the person's unique situation and medical conditions. When working with a doctor, your baseline health is taken into account when developing your plan.
2. YOUR DOCTOR HAS A DEEP UNDERSTANDING OF HOW YOUR MEDICAL HISTORY IS IMPACTING YOUR WEIGHT:
Pre-existing medical conditions (like diabetes, PCOS, depression, arthritis), can affect your treatment plan. Moreover, many people with obesity may be on medication for other medical conditions and some of these medications may actually be contributing to weight gain! Having a doctor on your team is crucial in these instances to help sort out these complexities
3. YOUR DOCTOR IS SURE TO HELP DEVELOP A SAFE NUTRITION/ WELLNESS PLAN
Unfortunately, some of the fad diets out there are potentially unsafe due to how restrictive they can be. These diets can cause nutritional deficiencies, hypoglycemia, weakness and other medical problems. A medically supervised diet plan is developed by a doctor who understands safety, and will help create a plan that avoids these issues. And better yet, you stay under close medical supervision in case any issues do arise!
4. YOUR DOCTOR CAN ORDER TESTING AND PRESCRIBE MEDICATIONS IF NEEDED
One of the greatest benefits to medically-supervised weight loss is the ability of your doctor to order and interpret important data, like bloodwork and other tests, as well as prescribe anti-obesity medication if appropriate. In many cases, anti-obesity medication can provide a great boost to weight loss ( in conjunction with underlying lifestyle changes of course!). There are various meds to choose from, so it's important to have that discussion with a trained doctor that understands which treatment is right for you.
Do you have any other questions about medically-supervised weight loss? Let us know!
Stay Well
Dr. Kim
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