Your Introduction to Medicated Weight Loss
Your Introduction to Medicated Weight Loss
Between work, family, home and friends, it can be hard to squeeze in wellbeing time each day. These wonderfully busy lives we have created for ourselves are great, until they come at the expense of our health and happiness.
You may have made a few attempts at altering your lifestyle or possibly don’t know where to start. And that’s ok.
Our bodies are complex and fascinating beings. When we aren’t operating at an optimal level, our bodily functions become impaired and how you feel on the inside can reflect on the outside.
We understand exploring assisted weight loss is an intimate experience and we want to be transparent about how our doctors can help you.
What is medicated weight loss?
Medicated weight loss is a weight loss treatment with prescription medication in conjunction with diet and exercise. As with any prescription medication, weight loss medication must be prescribed by a doctor and may not be suitable for every patient.
Our medicated weight loss program has been designed to adapt to your needs, so we have many medicated weight loss pathways available to you.
While you may initially be drawn to a particular treatment, your doctor will guide you in your video appointment to a treatment plan that’s right for you.
Who may be suitable for weight loss medication?
Patients with a body mass index of 30-40kg/m2 may be suitable for a medicated weight loss program. If approved for medication, your doctor may guide you to a weight loss target of 10-15% (Markovic et al., 2022).
Whether you are approved for a medicated weight loss program is subject to a video consult with your doctor and they may decide that medication is not be suitable for you due to other health conditions you may have, potential side effects or other factors.
Oral weight loss treatments
Dietary supplements
These products are readily available and heavily marketed to boost your metabolism, de-bloat or detox you. These can include vitamins, teas, meal replacements and soluble powders.
As evidence surrounding the efficacy and safety of dietary supplements for sustained weight loss is limited, your doctor may not advise this approach (Perreault, 2023).
Oral medication
Oral weight loss medication, otherwise known as weight loss tablets or weight loss pills, is an effective weight loss treatment. Your doctor may choose to prescribe oral medication that suppresses your appetite or reduces your body’s ability to digest fat (Perrault, 2023).
While these medications facilitate weight loss, it is important to also incorporate a healthy diet and regular exercise to ensure lasting weight loss.
There is also research suggesting ceasing weight loss medication can cause weight regain because of changes in metabolism (Perrault, 2023). Physical activity can help offset this process (Perreault & Burgermaster, 2023).
Injectable weight loss treatments
Weight loss injectables, or weight loss injections, are daily or weekly subcutaneous injectable treatments (Perreault, 2023). Patients prescribed with this medication inject the treatment with a short needle just below the skin.
Generally, weight loss injectables are prescribed in a three-month supply. After three months, another doctors’ consult will be needed to discuss a repeat prescription.
Weight loss with Doctors on Demand
Taking the first step to weight loss is daunting, but having a video consult with a doctor from the comfort and privacy of your home can help kickstart an investment in a healthier ‘you’. Visit our dedicated weight loss page to learn more about how we can support you.