Medical Weight Loss Treatment
Unlock Your Potential: The Mar Y Sol Promise in Medical Weight Loss
Welcome to a new chapter of your health journey with medical weight loss treatment.
Are you tired of struggling with weight gain and feeling like you've tried everything without success? We understand that achieving a healthy weight involves more than just counting calories—it's about addressing the psychological aspects that play a crucial role in your well-being. The role of medication, psychotherapy, and an individualized plan are all crucial elements to the holistic approach leading to your transformation.
What Causes Obesity?
Obesity was first recognized as a disease in 1948, and as a disease, it needs medical treatment. Obesity is not caused by laziness or unwillingness to develop healthy habits.
Obesity Medicine Association defines obesity as a “chronic, relapsing, multi-factorial, neurobehavioral disease, wherein an increase in body fat promotes adipose tissue dysfunction and abnormal fat mass physical forces, resulting in adverse metabolic, biomechanical, and psychosocial health consequences.”
Because obesity is a relapsing disease, meaning it occurs again and again, it is vital to understand the disease and treatment approaches to have sustainable goals.
Obesity can be caused by
Genetics
Nutrition
Hormones and hormonal responses such as insulin resistance
Medications
Your environment, family, and culture
Sleep disturbances, or sleeping too much
The wellness Center’s holistic approach means we will address all of these variables so you get lasting results.
The Mar Y Sol Promise
Mission: At the wellness center, we empower clients across their lifespans to live the lives they want through individualized, holistic mental health treatment.
Vision: Mar Y Sol Mental Health Experts and wellness center is the pinnacle of mental health treatment because we treat your entire being in ways that enhance happiness so you can reach your goals.
One of the ways we keep this promise to our clients is to provide in-person services in our Connecticut location, as well as telehealth in Connecticut, and New York, Nebraska, and Florida. For every client we can reach, it is our goal to support you in your health journey, which can include weight loss treatment.
Here are three vital components of medical weight loss treatments:
Dietary Guidance
Behavior Therapy
Medications
Dietary Guidance
Dietary guidance in medical weight loss treatment is crucial to helping you make healthier food choices, manage portion sizes, and create sustainable eating habits. Here are some key aspects of dietary guidance in the context of medical weight loss:
Individualized Plans: We discuss personalized dietary plans based on your specific health needs, medical history, and weight loss goals. These plans consider factors causing your weight gain and any existing medical conditions.
Balanced Nutrition: The emphasis is on achieving a balanced and nutrient-dense diet. This includes incorporating a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Nutrient-dense foods provide essential vitamins and minerals without excess calories.
Portion Control: Understanding appropriate portion sizes helps prevent overeating and promotes mindful eating habits.
Meal Timing: Some dietary plans may include recommendations for meal timing and frequency. This can involve spreading meals and snacks throughout the day to maintain energy levels and prevent excessive hunger that might lead to unhealthy food choices. It can also include addressing habits such as nighttime eating.
Hydration: Adequate hydration is essential for avoiding health problems and can also support weight loss. Drinking water before meals may help reduce overall calorie intake by promoting a feeling of fullness.
Monitoring and Accountability: Keeping a food diary or using a mobile app to track food intake can be beneficial. Regular monitoring helps you become more aware of your eating habits and allows for feedback and making necessary adjustments.
Education and Lifestyle Changes: Dietary guidance often involves education on nutrition labels, making informed food choices when dining out, and developing practical strategies for maintaining a healthy diet in various situations. Lifestyle changes, such as cooking at home and preparing meals in advance, may also be encouraged.
It's important to note that dietary guidance in medical weight loss is not about extreme or restrictive diets but about creating sustainable, long-term changes that support overall health. Working closely with Mar Y Sol Mental Health Experts ensures that dietary plans are safe, effective, and tailored to individual needs. Regular follow-ups and adjustments to the dietary plan may be made based on progress and any changes in health status.
Behavioral Therapy
Behavioral therapy is essential to medical weight loss treatment, focusing on addressing the psychological and behavioral aspects of eating habits and lifestyle choices. This type of therapy aims to help you develop healthier behaviors, attitudes, and coping mechanisms related to food and physical activity. Here are key elements of behavioral therapy in the context of medical weight loss:
Identifying Triggers and Patterns: Behavioral therapy helps you identify the triggers and patterns associated with unhealthy eating habits. This includes recognizing emotional triggers, such as stress or boredom, that may lead to overeating.
Setting Realistic Goals: Collaboratively, we establish realistic and achievable short-term and long-term goals. These goals may not only relate to weight loss, but also to behavioral changes, such as increasing physical activity or adopting mindful eating practices.
Cognitive Restructuring: Cognitive restructuring involves challenging and changing negative thought patterns and beliefs about food, body image, and weight loss. This helps develop a more positive and realistic mindset that supports their weight loss journey.
Mindful Eating: Behavioral therapy often incorporates mindful eating techniques. This involves paying full attention to the sensory experience of eating, including taste, texture, and smell, to promote a healthier relationship with food. Mindful eating can also help individuals recognize satiety cues and prevent overeating.
Stress Management: Stress can contribute to emotional eating and other unhealthy behaviors. Behavioral therapy may include stress management techniques, such as deep breathing, meditation, or other relaxation strategies, to help individuals cope with stress without turning to food for comfort.
Problem-Solving Skills: Developing effective problem-solving skills is important for managing challenges and setbacks during the weight loss journey. Behavioral therapy helps you identify practical solutions to obstacles that may arise.
Social Support: Incorporating social support into behavioral therapy can enhance motivation and accountability. This may involve friends, family, or support groups in the weight loss process.
Relapse Prevention: Behavioral therapy addresses the risk of relapse by helping you anticipate and plan for situations that may trigger unhealthy behaviors. Developing strategies to overcome setbacks is an integral part of long-term success.
Positive Reinforcement: Celebrating achievements, no matter how small, is an important aspect of behavioral therapy. Positive reinforcement can help you stay motivated and committed to your weight loss goals.
Physical Activity: Exercise is an integral part of any weight loss program. Healthcare providers may recommend a combination of aerobic exercise, strength training, and flexibility exercises to help you burn calories and improve overall fitness.
The goal is to empower you with the skills and mindset needed to make sustainable lifestyle changes that contribute to both weight loss and overall well-being.
Medications
In cases where lifestyle changes alone may not be sufficient or when individuals face weight-related health risks, medical intervention may be a viable option. Health risks with excess body weight include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and related conditions. When the body mass index (BMI) approaches 30 or higher, medication can be crucial to your holistic treatment options. Here are a few of the common prescription medications:
Semaglutide Injection (Ozempic) (Wegovy):
Besides its primary use in managing diabetes, semaglutide has been found to contribute to weight loss. It can help control appetite and promote a feeling of fullness. Both Ozempic and Wegovy contain the active ingredient semaglutide.
Phentermine (Adipex-P, Lomaira):
Phentermine is often prescribed for short-term weight loss. It helps individuals by reducing appetite, making it easier to adopt healthier eating habits.
Primarily an antiepileptic medication, Topiramate (used by itself) is not explicitly FDA-approved for obesity. Still, some doctors may prescribe it if you have seizures or migraines and need to lose weight, too. It may also be combined with Phentermine sold under the brand name Qsymia.
CONTRAVE®️ (Naltrexone HCl/Bupropion HCl):
CONTRAVE is designed to address both the physical aspects of weight management, such as cravings, and mental aspects, such as stress eating.
Another medication primarily used for type 2 diabetes, but it can also promote weight loss.
These are some medications being used for weight loss treatment. Still, there are additional options your provider may consider. Regardless of the medication, it's crucial to emphasize that weight loss medications are not a "magic solution" and should be used as part of a broader, comprehensive approach to weight management.
Before starting any weight loss medication, you will undergo a thorough medical evaluation to assess your overall health, medical history, and the potential risks and benefits of the medication. Common side effects will be discussed, and regular monitoring will be essential to evaluate the effectiveness of the medication and address any health issues.
Weight loss medications are not suitable for everyone, and our healthcare providers will carefully consider your health conditions, medications, and potential interactions before prescribing them. However, when appropriate, a medical weight loss program can be an important part of the holistic approach to weight loss, health, and well-being.
Next Steps to Your Healthy Life
If you are ready to begin your journey to vitality through a healthy lifestyle, contact Mar Y Sol today.
We can provide you with the health information, therapy, support, and medication supervision you need to transform your life and live as the healthiest version of yourself. Click here to make an appointment.