Weight Loss

How is medically supervised weight loss different from a traditional diet?

Medically supervised weight loss takes a different approach to weight loss than traditional diets. Rather than encouraging you to count calories and eliminate certain foods from your diet, it helps you make gradual lifestyle changes. These changes increase your energy levels, boost your metabolism, and make it easier to stay on track.

Furthermore, treatment is tailored to your specific needs. The Dickinson Family Medicine Clinic team considers various factors, including your lifestyle, age, and general health, before making personalized treatment recommendations.

Who can benefit from medically supervised weight loss?

Consider medically supervised weight loss at Dickinson Family Medicine Clinic if you’ve been diagnosed with:

• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• High cholesterol
• Arthritis
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Asthma
• Heart disease
• Kidney disease
• Thyroid disease

Being overweight increases your risk of disease-related complications. It can also impact your mood and outlook. Consider that overweight people are more likely to develop mental health conditions, including depression and anxiety.

What does medically supervised weight loss involve?

The Dickinson Family Medicine Clinic team tailors medically supervised weight loss to each person’s needs. Even so, treatment typically involves:

Nutrition education

Effective weight loss requires you to commit to healthier eating habits. Your provider teaches you how to replace unhealthy snacks and meals with nutritious alternatives. Specifically, they recommend a balanced diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. 

Exercise guidance

Successful weight loss doesn’t happen overnight, but you can speed up the process by exercising regularly. The Dickinson Family Medicine Clinic team makes exercise recommendations that align with your interests and level of physical fitness. They could suggest walking, cycling, or water aerobics.

Prescription medication

Certain health problems, like diabetes, thyroid disease, and hormone imbalances, make it even harder to lose weight. If the team determines you have one or more of these conditions, they might recommend prescription medication to complement your efforts. Some drugs suppress appetite, while others make it easier to burn calories. 

When will I experience results from medically supervised weight loss?

Medically supervised weight loss takes time and effort, but most people lose at least five pounds during the first month of treatment.* For optimal results, follow your provider’s instructions and attend each of your checkups.

Call Dickinson Family Medicine Clinic to schedule a medically supervised weight loss consultation, or book your appointment online today.

*Individual results may vary.