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Weight reduction is easier said than done. It requires immense planning and dedication from the person who will be following it. Medical or Non-surgical weight management techniques can be classified as lifestyle management which include diet, exercise, behavior modification & medications either as a whole or tailor-made as per requirements. These decisions are taken based on international guidelines after preliminary screening and assessment of patients requiring weight loss or management. Lifestyle changes should be an integral part of any weight loss plan for long term weight management.
Like any other chronic medical conditions, effective management of obesity must be based on a partnership between a highly motivated patient and a committed team of health professionals, including the physician, surgeon, psychologists, physical and exercise therapists, dietitians, and other sub-specialists, depending on the comorbidities of the individual patient. A reasonable goal for weight-loss in the setting of a lifestyle treatment program is approximately 1.0 -1.5 kg/week. The concept of a weight-loss goal for each subject is to be individualized and cannot be unilaterally based on standard weight-for-height norms.
Once the treatment starts and the person loses weight, the reduced weight needs to be managed for at least two years by means of diet and exercises as suggested by the consultant. Exercises and physical activity will involve the breaking of muscles and weight, this will be painful. A perfect balance of exercise and eat-right plan can help in weight loss and continuing the plan will help in weight management.
Some people refrain from having foods in order to lose weight. This is not the right method that needs to be followed. Adopting a wrong diet plan can harm health in an adverse manner. The consultant at BAROS will discuss the health of the individual in person and suggest the most suitable plan for weight loss including diet and nutrition, physical activity, and behaviour modifications.
However, most available data indicate that irrespective of the method of medical intervention, 90-95% of the weight lost is regained in 5 years. On an average, participants in the best weight-loss programs lose approximately 10 – 20 % of their body weight, but people generally regain two-thirds of the weight lost within a year and most of it within 5 years. Consult our physician to know your body and get your tailor-made prescription.
It is a common perception that weight loss nutrition is equal to starvation. This is a myth. A perfect diet is always tailor-made according to the needs of every individual. Diets, especially the weight loss nutrition diets should be planned post-consultation with the doctor to ensure maximum effectiveness. Weight loss diet mainly consists of calorie and portion counts. Eat right is the mantra to be followed. Instead of bulk meals, small portions at regular intervals are suggested. The weight loss plans suggested for a normal person’s body toning will be different from an obese person weight loss. The first step to weight loss is the cut back on sugar and starches. Junk and fast food are a strict no during this period. The inclusion of proteins and low carb veggies combined with a lot of water helps in losing weight while maintaining the muscle. Physical activity along with the diet helps in maintaining a healthy weight.
Regular physical activity is important for good health, especially if you’re trying to maintain a healthy weight. If you intend to lose weight, your body needs to “burn off.” more calories than consumed. An average of about 300 minutes a week of moderate intensity physical activity combined with high intensity interval training is mandatory to achieve this. The activities that help you achieve this are jogging / running, cross country activities, aerobics, competitive sports, weight training, etc. The calories that you burn through physical activity, in combination with reduction in calories through tailor-made diet and non-surgical weight loss plan, creates “calorie deficit” that help in definitive weight loss. To maintain the weight that you lost, an average of at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity physical activity, such as brisk walking, swimming, biking, dancing, leisure sports, circuit exercise, etc are required.
A positive attitude and the right kind of motivation are important for weight management. Internal discipline such as better health, increased energy, self-esteem and personal control increase your chances of lifelong weight management. Improving home environment by doing basic chores yourselves, keeping off kitchen except during meal time, fixed early mealtime, reducing use of digital platforms and adequate sleep helps you to achieve the goal. Control of work environment by using stairs to work, moving out of desk from time to time, eating light and on time, stretching loo breaks, etc improves your chances of stying fit. Managing your social environment by limiting drinking, having a light meal before arriving to a party, more activity based get togethers, etc will help you meet your goals. Journaling your daily habits like eating and physical activities will help improve your lifestyle.
Weight loss medications are meant to help people with stubborn obesity which cease to go in spite of lifestyle changes. Prior to prescribing a weight-loss medication, your doctor will weigh:the benefits to the possible side effects of the medicines.and your current health issues as well. Prescription medications to treat obesity work in different ways. Some medications may cause you to feel less hungry or full sooner. It may make it harder for your body to absorb fat from the foods you eat. Most weight-loss medications are approved only for adults. Studies show that weight-loss medications work best when combined with a lifestyle program. On average, people lose between 3 and 9 percent more of their starting body weight than people in a lifestyle program who do not take medication. However, results vary with medication and by person. Experts are concerned that, in some cases, the side effects of prescription medications to treat overweight and obesity may outweigh the benefits. For this reason, you should never take a weight-loss medication only to improve the way you look.
| Weight-loss medication | Approved for | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| Orlistat | Age > 12yrs | Works in your gut to reduce the amount of fat your body absorbs from the food you eat |
| Lorcaserin | Adults | Acts on the serotonin receptors in your brain. May help you feel full after eating smaller amounts of food. |
| Phentermine-Topiramate | Adults | A mix of two medications: phentermine, which lessens your appetite, and topiramate, which is used to treat seizures or migraine headaches. May make you less hungry or feel full sooner. |
| Naltrexone-Bupropion | Adults | A mix of two medications: naltrexone, which is used to treat alcohol and drug dependence, and bupropion, which is used to treat depression or help people quit smoking. May make you feel less hungry or full sooner. |
| Liraglutide Available by injection only | Adults | May make you feel less hungry or full sooner. At a lower dose under a different name, Victoza, FDA-approved to treat type 2 diabetes. |
| Other medications that curb your desire to eat include - phentermine - benzphetamine - diethylpropion - phendimetrazine | Adults | Increase chemicals in your brain to make you feel you are not hungry or that you are full. Note: FDA-approved only for short-term use—up to 12 weeks |
All approved pharmaceutical preparations are for short-term use only. These medications are used for a period of 12 – 24 weeks. If the treatment doesn’t turn fruitful in 12 weeks, it is recommended to discontinue a medicine and try a different formulary or go for alternative available options. Researchers are working to identify safer and more effective medications to help people who are overweight or obese lose weight and maintain a healthy weight for a long time.
Results of most weight loss medication programs are mixed. On an average, participants in the best medical programs lose approximately 20 – 40 % of their body weight, but generally, regain half of the weight lost within a year and two-thirds of it within 5 years. Hence approaching it professionally is important. If you are tired of trying all treatments without much success, you might explore the surgical option.