Am I a Candidate for Weight Loss Medication?

Does losing weight feel like an uphill battle despite your best efforts? 

Many people find that while diet and exercise can certainly help them lose some weight, all that hard work simply isn't enough to maintain that weight loss over time, especially when underlying health or metabolic factors are involved. 

At Premier Physicians Weight Loss & Wellness, our team takes a comprehensive, personalized approach to weight management, recommending weight loss medications when appropriate to achieve long-term results and optimal health and wellness. 

Here’s how to tell if these medications are right for you.

GLP-1 medications and more

If you’re considering weight loss medications to help you shed pounds, you’ve likely heard about GLP-1 medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide. These medications have drawn a lot of attention in recent years, thanks to the dramatic results associated with their use.

The initial purpose of GLP-1 medications was to help people with diabetes manage their blood sugar levels. They work by mimicking a natural hormone that helps the body regulate glucose levels as well as appetite and hunger.

Originally only available as injections, these medications today have pill and self-injectable options, making it easier to maintain your treatment plan and reach your healthy weight goals.

There’s no denying the positive weight loss results associated with GLP-1 drugs, but they’re not without side effects. Many people find that these medications cause issues like nausea or bloating, particularly during the early stages of treatment.

The good news: These side effects typically resolve once your body adjusts to the medication.

Other options

While GLP-1 medications get the lion’s share of attention, other medications can help you meet and maintain your goals. These include:

• Appetite suppressants that help you eat less without feeling hungry
• Fat absorption blockers that reduce the number of calories your body absorbs
• Metabolic enhancers that help your body use calories more effectively and efficiently

These medications work in different ways, allowing our team to create a weight loss plan suited to your goals and underlying health profile.

The right medication for you

Weight loss medications aren’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Before prescribing any medication, we perform a thorough medical evaluation, including lab testing, to ensure the weight loss options we recommend are safe and appropriate for your goals and health. 

Many drugs, including GLP-1 medications, are for women and men with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater, or for people with lower BMIs who also have a weight-related medical issue, like hypertension, diabetes, or sleep apnea.

We don’t recommend certain weight loss medications for people with high blood pressure because the drugs themselves can raise blood pressure or heart rate.

Like any medicine, weight loss drugs can interact with other medications and even nutritional supplements. If you take any of these regularly, share that information during your initial visit so we can tailor your recommendations appropriately.

Most weight loss medicines aren’t recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or for people with certain gastrointestinal disorders. 

Not a replacement for healthy habits

Weight loss medications can help many people achieve and maintain healthy weight goals, but they don’t work in a vacuum. You also need to adopt healthy diet and exercise habits to help safeguard your results — and improve your overall health and wellness.

Our team works with each patient to establish a weight management plan using real-life techniques focused on long-term outcomes and underlying health needs, avoiding the frustration associated with many fad diets that ultimately lead to regaining lost pounds.

To learn more about prescription weight loss medications and other personalized weight loss therapies, request an appointment online or over the phone today with the team at Premier Physicians Weight Loss & Wellness in Las Vegas, Henderson, and Reno, Nevada