According to the National Institutes of Health, people using prescription weight loss drugs can lose up to 12% more of their starting body weight than those using lifestyle changes alone.
At Alevizos Medical in Irvine, California, we offer medication as part of a comprehensive and personalized approach to long-term health.
Board-certified physician Dr. John Alevizos combines conventional and integrative medicine to help you achieve sustainable results, and medication is an integral part of that for many patients.
Here, he discusses how to tell if weight loss medication could be part of your success story. Here's what you should consider.
Patients usually need a body mass index (BMI) of at least 30 for weight loss medications. Or, a BMI of 27 or higher if you also have weight-related health issues, for example, high blood pressure or Type 2 diabetes.
However, Dr. Alevizos and our team understand that BMI may be deceptive for some patients because it doesn't account for age, frame size, muscle density, and other important factors. That's why those are just general guidelines.
The bottom line: If you're at a weight that isn't healthy for you and struggling to drop the extra pounds, weight loss medication might be helpful.
Motivation to succeed is crucial when you're using weight loss medication. Many patients want to lose weight to feel more confident, fit their clothes better, or like their mirror reflection again.
Most patients mention health motivators also. Did you know that losing as little as 5% of your body weight can lower your risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease?
Losing extra weight now could mean you have a much better healthspan (the number of years you enjoy good health during your lifetime).
When you're strongly motivated by factors like these, and you've struggled to lose weight through conventional diet and exercise methods, you could be a great candidate for weight loss medication.
Many weight loss medications are available now, but at Alevizos Medical, we focus on the proven ones that provide real results for most patients.
We help patients consider lifestyle and personal factors before choosing weight loss drugs.
For example, are you more comfortable taking a pill every day, or are you interested in the newer weight loss shots that you administer yourself?
Do you understand the effects of the medication, and are you willing to make some lifestyle adjustments to accommodate them? For example, some patients may have digestive issues like constipation with weight loss shots. But the good news is that you can easily manage these issues with some smart choices.
If you're ready to explore weight loss medication, call Alevizos Medical in Irvine, California, at 949-916-3600 to schedule your consultation.
