Who Makes a Good Candidate for Medical Weight Loss?

Medical weight loss is usually the alternative when other weight loss programs fail to work.

Sometimes, following a strict diet and exercising may not be enough. In this article, you will find out essential details about medical weight loss and who is eligible for the procedure.

Medical weight loss

Medical, or doctor-assisted, weight loss programs are created to assist obese patients with obtaining a healthy weight and concurrently adopting a healthier lifestyle. These programs do not require crash dieting or engaging in tiring exercises to lose weight. Instead, they entail teaching patients to choose healthier food and improve their diet, remain physically active and tackle underlying problems that might affect their weight. In some cases, it may include the use of medications.

Benefits of medical weight loss

Participating in a medical weight loss program means patients no longer have to bother themselves about how to lose weight. They will be under the supervision of a physician throughout the program. During the program, the doctor will watch the patient’s progress and ensure they are working towards losing weight healthily.

The patient will also benefit from vital information on the modifications to make regarding diet and exercise and access to behavioral therapy if required for depression, stress or any issue that may inhibit weight loss.

If these methods are not enough to achieve the patient’s weight loss goals, then they can use weight-loss drugs or injections that help to get rid of fat.

Who is an ideal candidate for medical weight loss?

A patient may be considered ideal for the program if they have tried unsuccessfully to lose weight through dieting and exercises. Patients with genetic or medical conditions that can make weight management hard can also benefit from the program. Patients with diabetes and other chronic conditions that require management can also undergo medical weight loss to learn how to adopt a healthier lifestyle and make healthy food choices.

There is usually an age restriction for weight loss surgery. Patients between 18 and 65 can qualify for the program. Also, people living with certain health issues may not be eligible. Smokers cannot undergo surgery because tobacco use adversely affects healing. Patients with blood clots are at the risk of blockage after the surgery.

Medical conditions such as kidney stones, heart problems or autoimmune diseases may disqualify the person because their body may be too frail to undergo surgery. Weight loss is also not recommended for people who abuse drugs. The program demands that the patient is in good mental health.

Weight loss is usually only suggested after all the other weight loss attempts have been unsuccessful. Before considering medical weight loss, the patient must have tried dieting and exercising already.

Doctors consider patients for weight loss surgery if they have been obese for over five years. People who fall into the obese category according to the BMI for less than five years may not be eligible for bariatric surgery.