Your doctor has your best interest in mind and is trying to improve your health and quality of life. “Your doctor has given you the advice to lose weight because of his concern to try and stop the condition you may have from progressing any further,” says Toby Smithson, RD, a national spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association.
Should you ask your doctor about weight loss?
Remember that weight loss itself often does resolve a number of medical conditions, so your doctor may be trying to take a conservative approach. If you aren’t comfortable with the recommendation, ask whether there is something you can do to help solve your medical condition while you’re working on your weight loss.
How much weight loss is good for You?
Research shows that even a modest weight loss of 5 percent can result in health benefits. 1 The rate of overweight and obesity in the United States, and related health risks, make the role of the primary care clinician an important one. Studies show that talking with patients about weight loss may help promote behavior change. 2
What are the benefits of weight loss surgery?
This surgery may help you lose weight and manage medical conditions related to obesity. These conditions include diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, and risk factors for heart disease and stroke. Weight-loss surgery is also known as bariatric surgery.
Should you talk to patients about their weight loss goals?
Studies show that talking with patients about weight loss may help promote behavior change. 2 Patients with overweight or obesity may want help setting and reaching weight-loss goals but may have a hard time talking about their weight.
What doctor do I go to if I want to lose weight?
Weight Loss doctors are called bariatricians or obesity medicine specialists and are licensed physicians who have special training in the area of medical weight loss.
Should doctors tell you to lose weight?
While guidelines on obesity recommend that doctors and other health care professionals counsel patients to lose weight, research has shown that simply telling patients to lose weight, without support from a comprehensive weight loss program, is usually not effective, Bennett says.
Can your doctor prescribe you something to lose weight?
The table below lists prescription drugs approved by the FDA for weight loss. The FDA has approved five of these drugs—orlistat (Xenical, Alli), phentermine-topiramate (Qsymia), naltrexone-bupropion (Contrave), liraglutide (Saxenda), and semaglutide (Wegovy)—for long-term use.
Why should you be patient to lose weight?
The quality of patience is an important factor in long-term weight loss. Without it, you might find yourself making decisions that lead to short-term results but long-term disappointment. A lack of patience often leads to shortsighted dieting decisions.
Why do doctors not address obesity?
"Obesity is pretty complicated for doctors to treat, because it involves behavior, medication, as well as managing medical conditions that come with obesity, like type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol," he tells WebMD.
What do doctors think of obese patients?
Probing the roots and results of obesity bias in health care Kyle says many such patients feel judged by their physicians. They believe their doctors see them as lazy, undisciplined—and totally responsible for their own weight gain. All other health issues become somehow tied to their extra weight.
What is the injection for weight loss?
Now, people who are trying to lose weight have a new option—a medication called Wegovy (semaglutide) that is injected under the skin once a week. The medication received FDA approval earlier this summer.
What is the most effective weight loss prescription?
Phentermine-Topiramate extended release (Qsymia) is the most effective weight loss drug available to date. It combines an adrenergic agonist with a neurostabilizer. Daily doses with four strengths start at 3.75/23mg to 15mg/92mg.
What is the best treatment for obesity?
The best way to treat obesity is to eat a healthy, reduced-calorie diet and exercise regularly. To do this you should: eat a balanced, calorie-controlled diet as recommended by your GP or weight loss management health professional (such as a dietitian) join a local weight loss group.
How do I tell my worried about weight loss?
How to Talk to a Loved One about Their Weight and HealthKnow the Boundaries. Only you know how far you can delve into someone's personal life. ... Approach Them in a Truthful and Honest Way. ... Provide Information, Not Diet Suggestions. ... Be Supportive. ... Never Suggest a Diet, or Even Surgery.
How is the patient involved in the weight loss process?
In this spirit, here are 10 ways to become more patient and learn to enjoy your weight-loss journey:ESTABLISH YEARLY GOALS.… AND SET REALISTIC SHORT-TERM GOALS.THINK SMALL.FOCUS ON A LOWER WEIGHT LIFESTYLE.REWARD YOURSELF ALONG THE WAY.MAKE HEALTHY EATING FUN.PARTAKE IN EXERCISE YOU ENJOY.GET CREATIVE.More items...•
How do obese people start losing weight?
Change your diet. “You have to become a good record-keeper,” Dr. Eckel said. “Reduce calories by 500 calories per day to lose about a one pound a week, or cut 1,000 calories a day to lose about two pounds a week.” Consider adding physical activity after reaching a minimum of 10 percent weight-loss goal.
What does it mean to get down to a healthy weight?
What It Means: For you, gauging a healthy weight might be about how your clothes fit (like whether you can still squeeze into your favorite pair of jeans). For your doctor, getting to a healthy weight has more to do with lowering your odds of getting conditions like type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
How many calories should I burn to lose a pound?
Well, think of it this way: One pound of fat is equal to 3,500 calories. To lose a pound, you need to shave off about 500 calories a day for 7 days. Continued. You can do that by cutting calories in your diet and burning calories through exercise.
How long should I exercise to trim off a few pounds?
The rest requires exercise. When you need to trim off a few pounds, aim for 60 minutes a day, or 300 minutes a week, of moderate aerobic activity. You don't have to do all 60 minutes at once. Break them up into 10- or 15-minute bursts.
How tall should I be to be considered overweight?
At 150 pounds, you're overweight if you measure 5 feet 2 inches tall, but just right if you're 6 feet 2 inches. A more accurate measure is your body mass index ...
What is the best weight loss surgery for overweight people?
Pros and Cons: Bariatric surgery is called for in someone who is significantly overweight and requires a number of lifestyle changes to ensure that the surgery helps a patient lose weight. Generally patients would need to have a body mass index above 35 in order to be considered for the procedure.
How can I lose weight without pain?
For some, sticking to a regimen of good diet and exercise will help shed pounds. But for others, an extra edge -- or a major medical intervention -- may be necessary to return to a healthy weight. Diet surgeries and pills may hold the appeal of giving something for very little -- in other words, losing weight without the pain ...
How much weight can you lose with liposuction?
The most weight a patient will lose in liposuction is only 10 to 12 pounds.
Does Alli help with weight loss?
In clinical trials for Alli, the drug, when accompanied by a change in diet, was shown to increase weight loss through dieting by an additional 40-60 percent. For patients assuming the drug will burn off pounds, the labels explain otherwise.
Why is it important to talk to a primary care physician about weight loss?
Studies show that talking with patients about weight loss may help promote behavior change. 2. Patients with overweight or obesity may want help setting and reaching weight-loss goals ...
What to ask before talking to a patient about weight?
Before asking patients if they wish to discuss their weight, mention the health risks associated with overweight and obesity. Ask patients if you could talk with them about their general health, including weight. Research has shown that patients prefer the terms “weight” (first) and “BMI” (second) when talking about obesity, ...
What is the BMI of a person with obesity?
Some patients with severe obesity—a BMI ≥40 kg/m 2 or ≥35 kg/m 2 with comorbid conditions—may benefit from information on bariatric surgery or other weight-loss surgery. Be prepared to refer patients to a specialist who can help them decide if weight-loss surgery is an option for them.
What to do when you see patients for follow up?
When you see patients for follow-up visits, note their progress. Point out any health improvements, such as lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Improving health numbers, along with praise, may help motivate patients and boost self-esteem.
How long does it take to change behavior in obesity?
5 Lifestyle programs and counseling might include a thorough plan that uses behavior change strategies for at least 6 months to increase physical activity and improve healthy eating.
Can overweight patients talk about their weight?
Patients with overweight or obesity may want help setting and reaching weight-loss goals but may have a hard time talking about their weight. By speaking with patients respectfully and working with them as partners, you can play a key role in helping them improve their health.
Is weight loss good for health?
Research shows that even a modest weight loss of 5 percent can result in health benefits. 1. The rate of overweight and obesity in the United States, and related health risks, make the role of the primary care clinician an ...
How does losing weight affect joint replacement?
In some cases, it may also decrease your pain to the point where joint replacement may no longer be needed— or can be put off for a number of years.
How much weight should I lose before hip replacement surgery?
If you need total knee or total hip replacement surgery—and your weight is significantly higher than it should be—your doctor may advise you to lose weight before your procedure. Even though you may feel fit and healthy at your current weight, studies show that a patient with a BMI greater than 40 is more likely to experience serious complications both during and after surgery than a patient of normal weight. Your doctor wants you to be aware of these risks so that you can take steps to minimize them before your procedure.
What is BMI in health?
What is BMI? BMI is a measure of body fat based on height and weight. Typically, the higher your BMI, the more body fat you have. Your doctor will use the following calculation to determine your BMI: How to calculate Body Mass Index (BMI) For an adult, the following BMI ranges apply: BMI Range. Weight Status.
Why is it so difficult to administer anesthesia to obese patients?
Complications may be due to the patient's body shape and anatomy, or to health conditions that can affect breathing. Challenges for the anesthesiologist include:
How to lower BMI before joint replacement?
If you need help losing weight and lowering your BMI before joint replacement surgery, talk to your primary care doctor . He or she can recommend specific low-impact exercises and activities and help you choose a commercial weight-loss plan that fits your needs and lifestyle. To Top. Related Media. Treatment.
What are the benefits of joint replacement?
Lesser Outcomes after Joint Replacement. Joint replacement will help relieve your pain and enable you to live a fuller, more active life. However, if you have obesity, you may never achieve the increased mobility and range of motion experienced by a patient of normal weight. You may also experience more implant complications after surgery, such as:
What are the health conditions that affect surgery?
Patients with obesity are more likely to have certain diseases and health conditions that increase the risks of surgery. These include: Metabolic syndrome —a group of health conditions that increase your risk for developing cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.
Is Phyllis Warr too fat for surgery?
Too Fat for Surgery. More. Ever since Phyllis Warr was about 10 years old, doctors told her she'd drop dead if she didn't lose weight. They told her she wouldn't be able to walk at 35.
Can a surgeon operate on a patient with high body mass index?
As a result, some surgeons like the one Warr first saw won't operate on patients with high body mass indexes for some elective procedures, such as hernia repairs and knee and hip replacements, until they lose weight.
Is obesity dangerous for surgery?
Too Fat for Surgery. Obesity can make surgeries more dangerous for patients, complicated for surgeons and costly for hospitals. When is it worth the risk? Ever since Phyllis Warr was about 10 years old, doctors told her she'd drop dead if she didn't lose weight.
Is it safe to stitch after abdominal surgery?
Even stitching obese patients' skin after abdominal surgery is riskier since fatty tissue doesn't heal as well as tissue with more blood vessels, and the added weight puts more stress on the wound, Cima says.
Do surgeons need special tools?
Surgeons, meanwhile, may need special tools they're less familiar with to operate on bigger patients, and health care workers are more likely to injure themselves on the job when handling obese patients, Cima said at the February conference.
Does obesity cause surgical complications?
While obesity does raise the risks of surgical complications, those don't always outweigh the benefits of the procedure, says Dr. Michael Parks, an orthopedic surgeon at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City who chairs the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Workgroup on Obesity.
Why is it so hard to lose weight after surgery?
Mood disorders. Depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder or other mood disorders are associated with obesity, and these conditions may make it difficult to manage your weight. Also, people with untreated mood disorders often find it difficult to stick with new diet and exercise habits after surgery. Alcohol and drug use.
What is the most common weight loss surgery?
In the U.S., the most common weight-loss surgery is sleeve gastrectomy. In this procedure, the surgeon removes a large portion of the stomach to create a tubelike sleeve. Weight-loss surgery is only one part of an overall treatment plan. Your treatment will also include nutrition guidelines, exercise and mental health care.
What to expect before and after surgery?
Members of your team will explain what to expect before and after the procedure. They will evaluate whether you're ready for surgery and help you decide if it's an option for you. They may identify concerns to address — medical, behavioral or psychological — before you're ready for surgery.
What can a nurse do to help you with surgery?
A nurse, occupational therapist or other specialist will help you learn appropriate exercises, develop an exercise plan and set goals. Weight loss. You may be encouraged or required to lose some weight through diet and exercise before you can have surgery. Psychotherapy.
What are the patterns of weight loss?
Eating behaviors. Irregular eating behaviors or eating disorders may contribute to obesity. These include binge eating, nighttime eating and unplanned grazing between meals.
Why is mental health important?
Also, being in good mental health is important for the demands of following your treatment plan. Your team's goals are to identify psychological or behavioral risk factors, address any problems, and decide whether you're ready for surgery. Your health care team will talk with you about the following: Motivation.
Can a surgeon use a growth chart?
Instead of using these BMI numbers as a guideline for surgery, a surgeon may use growth charts for adolescents. These charts show the standard BMI range for each age. The surgeon may recommend the procedure based on how much the adolescent's BMI is above the standard BMI range.
How long does it take to lose weight without trying?
A good rule of thumb is to see your doctor if you’ve lost a significant amount — more than 5 percent of your weight — within 6 to 12 months. In addition, take note of any other symptoms to talk over with your doctor.
What causes weight loss in the lungs?
Tuberculosis. Another cause of unexplained weight loss is tuberculosis (TB), a contagious condition that usually affects the lungs. It’s caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria.
How long does it take to lose 5 percent of weight?
However, if you’re losing weight without changing your habits, something else might be going on. If you experience a 5 percent weight loss in 6 to 12 months, or if you notice any of the above symptoms, visit your doctor. Last medically reviewed on September 20, 2018.
How to treat type 1 diabetes?
Treatment of type 1 diabetes includes insulin, blood sugar monitoring, diet modifications, and exercise. 5. Depression. Weight loss may be a side effect of depression, which is defined as feeling sad, lost, or empty for at least two weeks. These emotions interfere with daily activities, such as going to work or school.
Why do my limbs look smaller than the other?
One of your limbs may even look smaller than the other. Your body is made of fat mass and fat-free mass, which includes muscle, bone, and water. If you lose muscle, you’ll lose weight. This can happen if you don’t use muscles for a while. It’s most common in people who don’t exercise, work desk jobs, or are bedridden.
Can you lose weight with heart failure?
Weight loss is a complication of congestive heart failure (CHF). CHF develops when the heart can’t fill up with enough blood, the heart can’t pump blood with enough force, or both. It may affect one or both sides of the heart. If you have CHF, your digestive system can’t receive enough blood.
Is weight loss serious?
In addition, take note of any other symptoms to talk over with your doctor. Remember, not all weight loss is serious. It can happen after a life-changing or stressful event. However, unintentional weight loss may be a sign of one of these medical conditions. 1.
How to lower estrogen levels?
How To Heal: To lower your estrogen levels (and thus, help lose weight), I recommend eating a pound of vegetables per day. The fiber from the vegetables helps to excrete estrogen so it doesn’t keep circulating in your body like bad karma.
What hormones are responsible for fat burning?
Adiponectin is one of the key hormones that tells your body to burn fat. Encoded by the ADIPOQ gene and secreted by fat cells, its role is to regulate glucose levels and fatty acid breakdown. Some people are genetically programmed to not make enough of this fat-burning hormone, and as levels decline, fat composition in the body increases.
Can hormones make you lose weight?
Although hormones are complex, there are four that make losing weight close to impossible when they’re out of balance, particularly for women. Here, I'll share what they are, how they affect your weight and fat burning, and at least one simple action you can take to bring each hormone back into balance. Advertisement.
