Why It Is Important To Ask For Help With Weight Loss

One of the most challenging undertakings anyone can try to do is to lose weight, especially for people who have higher body mass index (BMI) numbers. Currently, in the United States, about 75% of the adult population falls into the category of overweight or obese on the standard BMI scale, with almost half of these having a BMI over 30, which is considered obese.

Many of these individuals have tried to lose weight with diet and exercise but have been unsuccessful. Most people do not understand how complex the process of weight loss really is or the way their body will react to the strategies they are using. Additionally, there is no one-size-fits-all solution, and not everyone’s body will react the same to these strategies.

In order to lose weight, you must create a calorie deficit, which means burning off more calories than you consume, but there are many things that can circumvent your efforts in creating this deficit.

Some individuals have underlying issues like a hormone imbalance, or they are taking certain medications that make it harder for them to lose weight or can even cause weight gain. Your body also has a built-in survival instinct that will make adjustments to your metabolism to preserve calories and store fat to keep you alive. This would be a great asset if you were lost in the woods for several weeks, but when you are trying to lose weight, it can be very frustrating because your body is actually working against you.

GLP-1 weight loss medications can help break through many of these challenges and help your efforts pay off and result in weight loss.

What Different Weight Loss Medications Are There?

It would be wise to educate yourself on the different options available before you ask your doctor for weight loss medication. Knowing how they work, how each should be used, the side effects that are possible, and any type of potential drug interactions you may encounter will help prepare you to have a well-informed conversation.
These medications were all originally designed to help people with type 2 diabetes control their blood sugar levels, but it was discovered that weight loss was an additional benefit. They work by speeding up how fast your body burns calories, controlling food cravings, appetite suppression, and keeping food in your stomach longer so you do not get hungry as often. People with a BMI (body mass index) of at least 27 who have weight-related health concerns like high blood pressure or individuals who are classified as obese are usually good candidates for prescription weight loss medications. Some of the medications available on the market today include:

Prescription Injections

Every weight loss injection on the market today actually started out as a way to help people with type 2 diabetes manage their blood sugar. It might sound a little confusing since the same medicine usually goes by two names, but that was done on purpose to differentiate the version used for diabetes vs. the one designed for weight loss. Even though both versions are the same prescription drug, the weight loss one is given at a higher dose than the one for blood sugar control.

In the list below, the first brand name you will see is the one used to treat diabetes. The second name is what the same drug is called when it is used for weight loss. For example, Victoza is the version of liraglutide made to manage blood sugar, while Saxenda is the same liraglutide used for weight management.

Victoza or Saxenda® (liraglutide): Saxenda was the first GLP-1 drug the FDA approved specifically for weight loss. It works by copying the natural GLP-1 hormones your body makes when you eat that help control your appetite and keep your blood sugar levels steady. Saxenda is an injection that you give yourself once a day in a fatty part of the body, like your stomach, thigh, or upper arm.
Ozempic or Wegovy® (semaglutide): This medicine was also designed to help manage type 2 diabetes and control blood sugar and then approved to treat obesity. It is also a GLP-1 agonist, which means it acts like the natural hormones your body makes to help with digestion and metabolism. It helps with weight loss by reducing your appetite and slowing down digestion, which helps you stay full for a longer time. This weight loss shot is administered once a week in a fatty area such as the upper arm, stomach, or thigh.
Mounjaro or Zepbound™ (tirzepatide): Just like Wegovy, this weight loss injection was originally created to help people manage their blood sugar, but it turned out to be very effective for weight loss too. It is the newest medication the FDA has approved for treating obesity, and so far it is showing the best results.

Tirzepatide works a little differently from the others because it is the only one that copies two types of hormones your body uses during digestion, GLP-1 and GIP. Together, these hormones help manage blood sugar more effectively, reduce hunger, and improve how your metabolism functions. This medicine, like Wegovy, is given once a week as a shot in the thigh, upper arm, or stomach. To date, the combination of these two hormones appears to offer the most effective weight loss results.

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Weight Loss Pills

Prescription weight loss pills have been around for a lot longer than the injectable medications that have become so popular. Some of the same injectable medications are also available as pills or sublingual tablets. This may be a better option for people who are not comfortable with needles or want something that is easier to store. Weight loss medications that are only available in an oral form include:

Qsymia® (phentermine-topiramate): This oral medication for weight loss is made with a combination of two drugs that work together to help with appetite control and help block cravings. The FDA approved it in 2012 for the treatment of overweight and obesity;
Contrave® (naltrexone-bupropion): This prescription works to alter the chemicals in your brain that control cravings and are often tied to emotional eating. It helps appetite control and helps you feel satisfied longer after eating so you do not eat as often or as much.

How To Prepare To Get Your Doctor To Prescribe Weight Loss Pills Or Injections

Weight loss medications can not perform magic, but they are effective tools that can help the other weight loss strategies you are using to be more effective. You need to have a good understanding of what the medication can and cannot do and what results you can expect. You also need to be committed to putting in the effort needed to help you achieve and maintain a healthy weight. Some of the things you can do to prepare before you ask your doctor to prescribe you weight loss medication include:

Be prepared to discuss your weight history, and if you can, bring notes that demonstrate your previous weight fluctuations;
Create an inventory of medications, supplements, or herbal remedies you are routinely taking so your doctor can determine the medication that may work best for you;
Keep a log of your calorie intake and your exercise, and be ready to discuss the challenges you have dealt with in your previous weight loss attempts;
Write down any health issues you have now or have had in the past, like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or sleep apnea. These kinds of conditions often show that you may be a strong candidate for weight loss medicine;
Be completely honest about the weight loss struggles you have been dealing with and tell your doctor about the strategies you have tried that have been unsuccessful;
Do your research on the different medications for weight loss so you have an idea of which one may work best for you and so you can have an educated discussion with your doctor;
Review or contact your medical insurance plan to find out which medications may be covered to reduce your financial responsibility.

Questions You Can Be Ready To Ask Your Doctor When Discussing Weight Loss Medications

Sometimes it is hard to remember the questions we want to ask when we have a chance to talk with our doctor, so make a list of the questions you would like answers to so they will be handy when you need them. Some questions you may wish to ask your doctor could include:

What prescription medication for weight loss do you think would work best for me?
What can you tell me about the benefits and side effects of this drug?
How long will I need to use this prescription to reach my weight loss goals?

Choosing The Right Doctor For Weight Loss Medication

You need to choose a doctor who not only understands these prescription weight loss medications but is also trained in obesity medicine and has in-depth knowledge of how complex the disease is.

Your general practitioner is probably not going to have the background, training, or experience to know how to help you successfully navigate a weight loss journey. You need a doctor that has an extensive background that goes far beyond general medicine like Dr. Angelina Postoev with MySlimMed. Her multifaceted wealth of experience makes her an expert in helping patients reach and maintain a healthy weight.

Set Up Your Consultation Today

If you are looking for weight loss medications to help you reach and maintain a healthy weight, contact MySlimMed today and set up a consultation. One of our experts will talk with you about your concerns and background and the kind of help you are looking for.

If you are a good candidate for weight loss medication, Dr. Angelina will determine the one that best fits your needs. She will also ensure that you understand the lifestyle changes that you will need to make in order for the medication to be effective.

Struggling on your own to get healthier is often unsuccessful and can leave you frustrated. Get the help you need from knowledgeable professionals today and contact Dr. Angelina and her team at MySlimMed today because using the right medication and having a strong support system can help your weight loss journey be a success. Book your consultation right away, you have nothing to lose but excess weight!