Medical Weight Loss Clinic Q&A

Doctors who specialize in weight loss and obesity medicine are called bariatricians. They are licensed physicians with special training in medical weight loss.
 
Most people will understand the need to see a specialist to deal with certain types of health issues, like heart disease or gastrointestinal problems, the common expectation is that being overweight or obese is a problem that they can address other own. According to the American Medical Association, obesity contributes to the worsening of over 60 medical conditions, which means that it causes complications in almost every medical specialty. It is because of this that obesity medicine or bariatrics is evolving.
 
A weight loss doctor has the ability to address the specific needs of someone trying to lose weight. All doctors have training in nutrition and weight loss. An obesity medicine specialist has specific training that gives them the expertise to work more effectively with people who are overweight. The doctor can personalize programs for effective weight loss that are tailored to you. Bariatricians differ from bariatric surgeons who perform weight loss surgery. Bariatricians create medically supervised weight loss programs.

The cost of a weight loss program will vary with each person. The cost can be impacted by the needs of the person, whether it has to do with lab testing and medication, supplements needed, and time with nutritionists or other people who will work with you to set up your weight loss program. The amount of weight that you are trying to lose will also impact the cost, as it will take longer and require more visits to help you maintain your progress.

Your first consultation at a weight loss center will be a time for the doctor to get to know you and understand your specific situation. Your consultation will consist of questions about your medical history and health, your lifestyle, and your exercise routine, and they will determine your body mass index or BMI.
 
The doctor will then design a weight loss program to fit your needs. Some people may deal with multiple chronic conditions and others may have physical limitations; some will be on medications that affect how they can lose weight. Every person is different, so a personalized program will work best.
 
Weight loss centers vary in their approach to weight loss. Some will focus on low-calorie diets or meal replacements with the supervision of a doctor. Others might focus on guiding you through a gradual weight loss using dietary changes and exercise to reach your goal. It will depend on the factor that they discussed with you in your consultation.

There are a few things that you may want to consider to determine if you are a good candidate for medical weight loss.
 
– Are you overweight or obese?
– Do you have obesity-related conditions, like insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, or other conditions? – Are you dealing with chronic health conditions like heart disease, diabetes, or kidney disease? Diet programs can be tailored to meet specific health concerns.
– Are you ready to change your lifestyle? If so, supervision can make this much easier.
– Have you been unsuccessful in trying to lose weight on your own?
– Or do you just lack the motivation you need to reach your weight goal?
 
These are good questions to ask yourself if you are considering using a medical weight loss program. For more information, please contact us or request an appointment online. We serve patients from Chesapeake VA, Norfolk VA, Portsmouth VA, Alexandria VA, Hybla Valley, Springfield, Jacksonville NC, Half Moon, Piney Green, Surf City NC, Sloop Point, Holly Ridge, and surrounding areas.