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Medications or Surgery for Weight Loss?
Deciding how to lose weight is complicated. For many people who are overweight, improving diet and increasing exercise do not result in desired, or long-term success. There are new medications for weight loss, and with celebrity endorsements, a buzz is building.
There are now two options to help people lose significant weight: prescription medication and surgery. Read on to learn key factors to consider when deciding which to try.
Understanding Medications for Weight Loss
Weight loss prescriptions work in a variety of ways, depending on which medication you choose. They can decrease your appetite, reduce fat absorption, or increase metabolism to help you lose weight. Since the medications are new, there are many unknowns. Research is underway and scientists and medical experts are learning more about how the body reacts to weight loss medications.
Side effects range from mild to severe and include nausea, diarrhea, or constipation. Some medications come with risks for individuals with certain medical issues. Some people report increased depression and overall decline in their mental health. Many who take medications that need to be injected grow tired of giving themselves shots. Others have needle phobia and find it very difficult or impossible to inject themselves.
Effectiveness, Availability, and Cost
While weight loss medications may provide initial weight loss, they are new and their long-term effectiveness and impacts on the body are not well known.
In addition, the medications are not widely available, and most require a prescription from a doctor’s office. Not all health insurance covers their cost, and they can be expensive – approximately several hundred dollars each month. Check with your insurance to understand what is covered and any out-of-pocket costs associated with the medication.
Consulting with an experienced healthcare provider is essential to determine if weight loss medication is right for you.
Exploring Weight Loss Surgery
Weight loss surgeries (also known as bariatric surgeries), such as gastric bypass and gastric sleeve, reduce the size of your stomach to restrict food intake, leading to substantial weight loss. Each type of procedure has short and long-term benefits. The first bariatric surgeries were performed more than fifty years ago. Since then, scientific research and data prove that weight loss surgeries are safe and highly effective for significant weight loss.
Surgery is not a quick fix to lose weight, but a tool to aid people who need to lose more than 100 pounds and improve overall health. Long-term success depends on adhering to diet and lifestyle changes. Pre-surgery counseling, an experienced weight loss surgeon, and support from a trusted team of experts, including a nutritionist, for years after surgery are essential for lifelong success.
Which to Choose?
There is no one-size-fits-all solution for weight loss. Your overall health, goals, and potential side effects should guide your decision. Individuals with severe obesity or obesity-related health issues may benefit more from surgery.
Seek guidance from experienced, non-judgmental healthcare providers, including physicians, nutritionists, and surgeons. They will discuss the options with you and provide recommendations based on your medical history and personal goals.
Visit emersonweightloss.org to view an online information session and give our office a call. We look forward to meeting you to help you achieve long-term weight loss and improve your health and wellness.
Medications or Surgery for Weight Loss?
Deciding how to lose weight is complicated. For many people who are overweight, improving diet and increasing exercise do not result in desired, or long-term success. There are new medications for weight loss, and with celebrity endorsements, a buzz is building.
There are now two options to help people lose significant weight: prescription medication and surgery. Read on to learn key factors to consider when deciding which to try.
Understanding Medications for Weight Loss
Weight loss prescriptions work in a variety of ways, depending on which medication you choose. They can decrease your appetite, reduce fat absorption, or increase metabolism to help you lose weight. Since the medications are new, there are many unknowns. Research is underway and scientists and medical experts are learning more about how the body reacts to weight loss medications.
Side effects range from mild to severe and include nausea, diarrhea, or constipation. Some medications come with risks for individuals with certain medical issues. Some people report increased depression and overall decline in their mental health. Many who take medications that need to be injected grow tired of giving themselves shots. Others have needle phobia and find it very difficult or impossible to inject themselves.
Effectiveness, Availability, and Cost
While weight loss medications may provide initial weight loss, they are new and their long-term effectiveness and impacts on the body are not well known.
In addition, the medications are not widely available, and most require a prescription from a doctor’s office. Not all health insurance covers their cost, and they can be expensive – approximately several hundred dollars each month. Check with your insurance to understand what is covered and any out-of-pocket costs associated with the medication.
Consulting with an experienced healthcare provider is essential to determine if weight loss medication is right for you.
Exploring Weight Loss Surgery
Weight loss surgeries (also known as bariatric surgeries), such as gastric bypass and gastric sleeve, reduce the size of your stomach to restrict food intake, leading to substantial weight loss. Each type of procedure has short and long-term benefits. The first bariatric surgeries were performed more than fifty years ago. Since then, scientific research and data prove that weight loss surgeries are safe and highly effective for significant weight loss.
Surgery is not a quick fix to lose weight, but a tool to aid people who need to lose more than 100 pounds and improve overall health. Long-term success depends on adhering to diet and lifestyle changes. Pre-surgery counseling, an experienced weight loss surgeon, and support from a trusted team of experts, including a nutritionist, for years after surgery are essential for lifelong success.
Which to Choose?
There is no one-size-fits-all solution for weight loss. Your overall health, goals, and potential side effects should guide your decision. Individuals with severe obesity or obesity-related health issues may benefit more from surgery.
Seek guidance from experienced, non-judgmental healthcare providers, including physicians, nutritionists, and surgeons. They will discuss the options with you and provide recommendations based on your medical history and personal goals.
- Request an initial consultation and free online info session here
- or Call our office at 978-287-3532 to request an appointment
