At one time the best treatment we had for obesity was the advice to eat less and move more. If you’ve tried and failed to lose weight through calorie reduction and exercise, you know how difficult it can be.
At Pinnacle Healthcare, we encourage all of our patients to consume a varied and nutritious diet and to get plenty of physical activity. But we know that’s not always enough, and that’s why our providers offer obesity medicine.
We want to find the right approach to help you live the healthiest life you can, and that includes reaching and maintaining a healthy body weight.
Obesity is, itself, a chronic disease, but the thing that makes it particularly dangerous is that it’s associated with a far higher risk of developing other diseases, called co-morbidities. For example, if your body mass index is 30 or higher, you’re more likely to develop:
Along with these, you’re more likely to have a lower overall quality of life and to struggle to move comfortably. Being obese can stop you from doing the things you want to do.
New and effective treatments for obesity are emerging, including GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) agonists and GIP (gastric inhibitory polypeptide) agonists. GIP and GLP-1 are hormones secreted in the intestines, and the medications work by binding to the receptors of those hormones.
Although these newer medications are quite effective for most people, others are available, as well. Appetite suppressants such as phentermine or bupropion-naltrexone work better for some people.
Orlistat is another medication that may be helpful. It works by preventing your body from absorbing fat.
Nutritional counseling can be very useful, either on its own or in combination with medication. The amount of confusing and contradictory information about what constitutes a healthy diet makes it difficult to understand your nutritional needs without input from an expert.
Since obesity is a complex, chronic condition, your obesity treatment plan might also include:
At Pinnacle Healthcare, we work with you to find the right treatment plan. It’s not a matter of getting a prescription and navigating the process of weight loss on your own.
Numerous factors that may seem unrelated influence your weight. For example, the amount and quality of your sleep can make it difficult to lose weight. We work with you to identify potential barriers to healthy weight loss, then create a plan tailored to your needs.
If you’d like to learn more about what’s included in our obesity medicine services, schedule an appointment at the Pembroke Pines or Hollywood office of Pinnacle Healthcare in southeastern Florida. We look forward to helping you.
