Getting healthy is a huge concern for millions of people, and weight loss surgery are a good solution for those who need to lose weight. These programs take into consideration several factors to help patients make the lifestyle changes necessary to lose weight and keep it off. There are several main components to a medical weight loss program: behavior change, nutrition training, and exercise.
Behavior change:
Behavior change is one of the most effective ways to lose weight. During the initial stages of the program, patients will meet with a medical professional for preliminary testing. During this session, the professional will review the patient’s health history and create an individualized plan for weight loss. He or she may recommend diet and exercise programs and prescribe supplements to help patients achieve their weight loss goals. A health professional can also recommend medication to help patients control their hunger.
Nutrition training:
Nutrition training involves educating patients on the importance of a healthy diet and how to make changes to their diet and lifestyle. This includes learning which foods are healthy and which are not.
Rehabilitative exercise:
The medical weight loss program also includes rehabilitative exercise. A health professional will recommend a workout that is suitable for the patient’s health. The patient is encouraged to record their food intake and participate in interactive group education sessions. The medical weight loss program also includes a dietary plan with low calories and carbohydrates.
Look for the length of the medical weight loss journey:
The length of the medical weight loss journey will depend on the program. Some programs are relatively short while others may take several months or years. Regardless of the program, patients will receive weekly or biweekly check-ins at the clinic to help maintain their weight loss.
Physicians can also help patients lose weight by prescribing medications to control hunger and by prescribing vitamins and supplements. In some cases, the doctor may perform a body composition analysis to see how much fat is in the patient’s body. These tests help to identify nutritional deficiencies that may be causing cravings. A physician can also administer a blood panel or urinalysis to determine if any health issues could be causing weight gain.