When to Consider a Medical Weight Loss Program

Many people want to lose weight. If you’re one of them, you may have tried for months or even years to take off the extra weight. You might be getting frustrated by how difficult it seems to be. After all, most weight loss programs involve painfully strict diets and punishing exercise.

But the fact remains that you still know, deep down, that you probably need to lose the weight. A medical weight loss program is different from standard diets that promise an easy fix. Our providers at eleven19 Medical Spa + Weight Loss offer this guide to help you learn when you need to consider a medical weight loss program. 

You have been warned about your BMI

Your body mass index, or BMI, is a measure of your weight that also affects your health. Doctors become concerned when your BMI is near or exceeds the limits of obesity. And obesity presents serious health risks, including heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

BMI is a measurement of your height and weight. A BMI between 25 and 29.9 is considered overweight. Obesity is any BMI above 30, though there are grades of obesity with each additional five BMI points. The health risks increase significantly with each jump in obesity status, especially with a BMI above 40, which is called morbid obesity.

You already have health problems

You may have already heard the bad news from your doctor that you have a weight-related health problem, such as high blood pressure, sleep apnea, or Type 2 diabetes. While such diseases are usually managed with medication, weight loss can make a significant difference in these conditions.

Weight loss alone is often able to reverse many cases of high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes. But it’s important that you continue taking any medication as prescribed until your doctor tells you to do otherwise. 

You have a family history of disease

Excess weight puts you at risk of many diseases, even beyond heart disease and diabetes. You can often look at the older members of your family to see what risks you might be facing as you get older. Obesity is linked to everything from stroke to cancer.

Obesity is also hard on your body. Many of the so-called aches and pains of aging are actually due to obesity. If you want to stay mobile and reduce your health risks, especially as you get older, a medical weight loss program can help you achieve it.

You’re self-conscious about the way you look

There’s no way around it: We live in a very image-conscious society. While the obesity rate keeps growing and includes nearly 40% of Americans, there’s no question that society still favors those who are slim and fit. Your weight can even affect your chances of getting promoted at work.

If you feel self-conscious about the way you look, whether in photographs or just in the mirror, a medical weight loss program can help you feel better about the way you look. Maybe you’ll even regain the confidence to wear a swimsuit to the beach again.

You just want to feel better

Carrying around excess weight doesn’t feel very good. Often, we don’t realize just how much we’re affected by extra pounds until we start to lose them. For example, many people live with undiagnosed sleep apnea, which can leave you feeling tired every day no matter how much sleep you get. Losing weight often helps this condition, allowing you to sleep better.

Extra weight also puts more stress on your joints, which can lead to chronic pain. Ironically, this seems to be a vicious cycle, as the more you hurt, the less you want to move. But fortunately, getting started doesn’t have to be difficult.

Even a modest weight loss can be enough to put your health back on the right track and restore your confidence again. Contact us today for a consultation about our medical weight loss program or request an appointment online.