There are many clinics offering weight loss solutions and programmes. Some specialise in obesity, others offer a more general weight loss plan. Whatever anti-obesity treatment or medically-led weight loss programme is prescribed for you, you should be able to regularly attend the clinic.
Seeking a specialist clinic, who can provide you with proven solutions, which may include prescribed medication, is the best option for a successful outcome to your weight loss journey. Those clinics belonging to the Obesity Management Association would be recommended.
Medically-Led Weight Loss
As with many aspects of life, sharing your concerns about your body size allows you to begin to tackle it. This is how programmes such as Weight Watchers work, or other groups set up to share and support for an issue, such as a drug or alcohol addiction. Just making the decision to attend, and sign up for a group, brings the problem out into the open and to the attention of those around you who can offer support.
Deciding to seek medical advice from a private clinic has the added benefit of a financial commitment and support from a doctor. Those clinics that offer a long-term solution, which includes an on-going health check to ensure that you keep the weight off, are the greatest incentive. Knowing that you have paid for the sessions and that all aspects of your diet, exercise routine, and general wellbeing are going to be under scrutiny can provide the incentive to those who fail on their own.
These clinics approach weight loss from a results-led, evidence-based standpoint which relies on solid clinical research. Most medically-led clinics specialising in weight loss medication offer a medical consultation and assessment prior to starting on a course of treatment and support. A health check to calculate BMI is a common starting point. In adults, over the age of 20, a BMI of 30 or higher is categorised as obese; over 25 is overweight.
For people who are within a BMI of 25-34 and who do not want to put on any more weight, anti-obesity treatment with a medically-led medication and weight loss programme may be a valid option, but it is always advisable to seek help and advice from your own GP beforehand.
Private clinics can take a slightly different approach than public healthcare professionals, to treating those who are overweight or obese. They are willing to help people who would like to avoid becoming obese, as well as those who already have this treatable illness. It is worth noting that the consensus is that over eating is an illness and can be treated. Most private weight loss specialist clinics will treat people with a BMI of 27 if they have co-morbidity factors such as hypertension (high blood pressure), type II diabetes, cardiovascular (heart) disease, sleep apnoea, osteoarthritis, dyslipidaemia (high blood cholesterol) or certain types of cancers. Or they will treat those with a BMI of 30 and above, who present with no co-morbidity factor.
Prescribed Medication (Slimming Pills) and Weight Loss Programmes
The most commonly prescribed medication, in conjunction with a restricted diet and increased exercise programme, contain either phentermine or diethylpropion as an appetite suppressant, or xenical to prevent the absorption of fats. Appetite suppressants are most commonly used as they present fewer side effects.
Some may also offer a gel-like bulking agent, which is added to food, or as a supplement, to make you feel full. The doctor may also prescribe anti-depressant or anti-insulin medication, depending on your medical needs. Some may offer harmless herbal pills, rather than a prescribed drug, alongside a programme that reduces food intake and promotes exercise.
Some clinics offer nutritional replacement meals or snacks that are high in protein, and low in fat and sugar, and can also act as an appetite suppressant.
All practitioners will advise a low fat and low sugar diet and promote healthy eating, such as plenty of vegetables, salads and fresh fruit, which are all high in fibre and contain vitamins and minerals. An increase in activity is also advised. This can be quite gentle to begin with, for example, walking more frequently and taking stairs rather than lifts or escalators. The programme then progresses to include more aerobic activity such as brisk walking, jogging or swimming.
Many people find the beneficial effects of exercise improves their mood and general well-being. Moderate exercise has been shown to be beneficial in mild cases of depression, which is a known factor in those suffering from weight issues.