Medically Managed Weight Loss: What Is It and How Does It Work?

Some people seem to have no trouble losing weight and keeping it off. If that doesn't sound like you, dropping those unwanted pounds may feel like an insurmountable challenge. We have good news. Advances in medical science now make weight loss a reasonable goal for most people. It is possible through medically managed weight loss.

What is medically managed weight loss? Moreover, how does it work? You are about to find out. If you or someone you love has consistently struggled to maintain a healthy weight, you might find this information extremely valuable. Feel free to follow up by scheduling a visit at one of our Utah clinics.

A Basic Definition

Let us begin with a basic definition of medically managed weight loss. Also known as 'medical weight loss' and 'medically supervised weight loss', medically managed weight loss is a comprehensive approach to weight loss and weight management supervised by trained healthcare professionals. Its main characteristics are:

• Personalization – When weight loss is medically managed, it is also personalized. Healthcare providers work out a custom plan for each patient tailored to that individual's needs, circumstances, etc.

• A Team Approach – Medically managed weight loss is guided by a team of healthcare professionals that might include doctors, nurse practitioners, therapists, and even dieticians. It is not your standard closed-ended doctor-patient enterprise.

• A Targeted Audience – Although medically managed weight loss is theoretically applicable to anyone, it is a highly targeted approach to weight loss designed mainly for people who need more than just diet and exercise to maintain a healthy weight.

If you think you might be a candidate for medically managed weight loss, don't be afraid to visit KindlyMD. If this type of program isn't right for you, we can help you move in another direction. There are multiple ways to lose weight and keep it off. We want to help you find a way that's most likely to work for you.

How the Process Works

Like so many other things in healthcare, clinicians work through a process as they assist patients with medically managed weight loss. The first step of the process is an initial health assessment. Healthcare providers meet with patients to:

• Conduct a medical history review.
• Take appropriate body measurements.
• Discuss lab tests and health screenings.
• Develop weight loss goals.

The initial health assessment allows a provider to come up with a personalized treatment plan. The provider presents the plan to the patient, and they go through it together. There could be any number of proposals on the table, including:

• Dietary changes.
• Lifestyle changes.
• Exercise recommendations.
• Behavioral therapies.
• Prescription medications.

If necessary, a healthcare provider might even recommend potential surgical options. But because surgery is invasive, such options are offered as a last resort. Medically managed weight loss tends to start with the least invasive option and then move forward from there.

Ongoing Support

Of course, no medically managed weight loss program would be complete without ongoing support. Providers work with patients to monitor progress by way of tracking and regular checkups. Additional support is offered through nutritional counseling and medication management. Patients are encouraged to take advantage of educational opportunities capable of making their weight loss journeys easier.

We get the fact that weight loss and healthy weight management have long been difficult for so many people. We are happy to say that medically managed weight loss is the answer for some. Is it the answer you have been looking for? The only way to know for sure is to sit down with a healthcare provider and talk about it. Visit KindlyMD to learn more about this.