Weight loss is a serious concern among many as people try switching to healthier lifestyles. You may find plenty of options, from various diets to exercise routines for weight loss. However, if the scale is not improving, you might have an underlying condition requiring medical help.
Excess weight can lead to several health issues, including obesity, heart disease, type-2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and respiratory problems. For medical weight loss to be effective, you must follow a balanced diet and an active lifestyle.
Non-surgical medical options for weight loss
Below are three non-surgical Medical Weight Loss procedures that offer minimal risks during weight loss.
Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG)
Surgeons restrict the stomach and construct a sleeve from within it during an endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) using an endoscopic suturing device. It is a recently developed minimally invasive bariatric technique that was just recently made available to patients in the US.
Patients with a BMI of 30 or above who have tried diet and exercise in vain and those who are ineligible for bariatric surgery are advised to consider it. According to statistics, patients lose more than 15% to 20% of their starting body weight during the first year of the surgery.
It helps lower the chance of developing diseases, including gastroesophageal reflux disease, type 2 diabetes, and cardiac issues. It is a non-surgical procedure performed under the effects of general anaesthesia. It is a minimally invasive technique that causes no discomfort, has low risks, and allows patients to resume their normal lives in 24–48 hours.
Lipotropic injections
Lipotropic injections may be useful for patients who struggle with weight reduction to jump-start their efforts. Three naturally occurring compounds known as necessary amino acids make up lipotropic. They are in charge of assisting your body in processing and getting rid of extra fat.
Lipotropics boost liver function and metabolic rates. They also increase general vitality and mental clarity. They may also be used with counselling, an assisted weight loss program, or bariatric surgery.
B12, considered safe in big doses, is most frequently found in these injections. These are meant to work with a low-calorie diet and exercise to help you lose weight. However, it is best to seek the advice of a medical professional before taking up the option.
Medications
Several over-the-counter and prescription medications help some people reduce their appetites, aiding weight loss. According to studies, individuals receiving medication therapy lose around 10% of their excess weight, and after six to eight months, the weight reduction stops. Usually, patients gain weight as soon as they stop using the medicine.
Although medications play a significant role in the morbid obesity treatment process, there are potentially catastrophic adverse effects from weight-loss medications. Medication for weight loss should not be used in place of diet, exercise, or behavioural changes. Gastrointestinal problems, including greasy stool and altered urination, are examples of side effects.
Unwanted effects on the joints, muscles, and respiratory system, among others, have been mentioned by some persons before choosing. Your doctor will consider your medical history and potential adverse effects when choosing a medicine for you.
Surgical medical options for weight loss
Weight-loss surgery, commonly referred to as bariatric surgery, reduces the quantity of food you can consume without feeling full or reduces the assimilation of food and calories. It is an effective way to lose weight, as you must adhere to an extremely strict dietary regimen. To make sure you obtain adequate nutrients, you might also require vitamins.
Gastric sleeve surgery
Most of your stomach is removed during gastric sleeve surgery, also known as vertical sleeve gastrectomy. The procedure significantly decreases the stomach’s capacity to store food. Compared to gastric bypass, it is a less difficult procedure.
Only a little, banana-shaped portion is left, then stitched shut. You will feel fuller sooner because of the surgery, which limits how much food can fit in your stomach. Since a portion of the stomach is permanently removed during this sort of surgery, it cannot be undone.
A portion of your stomach being removed could also impact the hormones or bacteria in your gastrointestinal tract that influence your appetite and metabolism.
Gastric Bypass
The stomach’s top is incised with a little pouch by the surgeon. Following this, a little portion of the small intestine is removed and attached to the new pouch just below the major stomach. This area of the body receives food and liquids straight from the pouch.
Specifically, the first portion of the small intestine’s middle region can be bypassed by the technique, allowing food to flow through other areas of the digestive system.
The stomach’s size might potentially be reduced by it. As the body can no longer absorb as many nutrients, this is often less effective than restrictive methods and carries a larger risk of vitamin and mineral shortages.
Depending on their particular circumstances, a doctor may advise surgery for a patient with a BMI of 30 or above. The majority of the stomach is bypassed when food and drink move directly from the pouch into this section of the intestine.
Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding surgery
The procedure involves dividing the stomach into two separate pouches using an inflatable band pulled tight around the stomach. It makes a narrow passage between the two pouches, resembling a belt. The band normally has a permanent placement and prevents the aperture from widening.
You will feel satisfied with less food because of the tiny stomach pouch, which helps you lose weight. Your doctor can alter the band by adding or withdrawing fluid from a balloon around the band.
Your abdomen’s skin acts as a channel through which this is accomplished. The band around your stomach is connected to the channel by a tube.
Your surgeon will insert a needle into the port via your skin at follow-up appointments. The port receives a fluid injection. The liquid enters the balloon through the tube, which squeezes the top of the stomach. Each time you visit the doctor, a tiny quantity of fluid is often added as your weight reduction is monitored.
End note
Your dedication to making long-term adjustments in your diet and activity habits will determine whether you successfully lose weight following the medical options. It is important to remember to consult a certified medical professional who can help you determine the best suitable procedure through diagnosis.
Zuella Montemayor did her degree in psychology at the University of Toronto. She is interested in mental health, wellness, and lifestyle.
