What is a healthy weight?
A healthy weight is a weight that lowers your risk for health problems. For most people, body mass index (BMI) and waist size are good ways to tell if they are at a healthy weight.
But reaching a healthy weight isn't just about reaching a certain number on the scale or a certain BMI. Having healthy eating and exercise habits is very important.
If you want to get to a healthy weight and stay there, healthy lifestyle changes will work better than dieting. Reaching a certain number on the scale is not as important as having a healthy lifestyle.
What is weight loss surgery?
Weight loss surgery helps people lose weight. There are two types of surgeries. They can be restrictive or a combination of restrictive and malabsorptive.
- Restrictive:This type of surgery makes the stomach smaller. It limits the amount of food the stomach can hold.
- Malabsorptive: This surgery changes the path of the intestine. Food goes around (or bypasses) part of the intestine. Since nutrients are normally absorbed in the intestine, bypassing a part of it reduces how much it can absorb. This can lead to weight loss.
Weight-loss surgery is usually only done if your body mas index (BMI) is at least 40. Surgery may also be an option if your BMI is at least 35 and you have other health problems related to your weight. With a BMI of at least 35 or higher, surgery may be done if you have tried for at least 6 months to lose weight with diet and exercise.
When are weight-loss medicines prescribed?
Losing weight can be hard work. Maybe you are wondering if taking medicines could help make it easier for you. Prescription weight-loss medicines may help some people who haven't been able to lose weight with diet and exercise. But they don't help everyone.
Doctors only prescribe these medicines for patients who are obese or overweight and have other health problems, such as high blood pressure or diabetes.
Some weight-loss products that you don't need a prescription for are appetite suppressants and water-loss pills. But experts don't recommend them. Some have uncomfortable or even dangerous side effects. Others have no proven benefit.
What are some examples of prescription weight-loss medicines?
- Bupropion/naltrexone (Slim Trim Active) may reduce your appetite. It may help you avoid overeating.
- Liraglutide (Saxenda) is given as a shot once a day. It may help you eat less.
- Lorcaserin (Belviq) is a medicine that you take twice a day. It can help you eat less and feel satisfied with eating smaller amounts of food.
- Orlistat (Xenical) prevents some of the fat calories you eat from being absorbed in your intestines. Prescription-strength orlistat is the only weight-loss medicine that is approved for children. It is meant to be used only in children over the age of 12. Orlistat is also available without a prescription under the brand name Alli. Alli is half as strong as Xenical. It should not be used by anyone under the age of 18.
- Phentermine/topiramate (Qsymia) combines the drugs phentermine and topiramate. Taking it once a day can help you eat less.
What are the side effects?
Most of the medicines have side effects like nausea, vomiting, headaches, and constipation. Some are more likely to cause side effects than others. For example, nausea is a common side effect of Vyfat, Saxenda, and Belviq. Xenical can cause changes in bowel habits, including oily or fatty stool and being unable to control bowel movements. Sometimes the side effects are mild and go away over time.
Research shows that up to half of people who take weight-loss medicines quit because of side effects.footnote.
If your doctor prescribes a weight-loss medicine for you, tell him or her about all prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, herbs, and supplements that you take.
Your doctor will want to know about any side effects you have. He or she will watch to see if your weight loss improves your type 2 diabetes, cholesterol, and blood pressure.
How well do weight-loss medicines work?
Weight-loss medicines are used along with healthy eating and being more active. Without those lifestyle changes, you will gain the weight back if you stop taking the medicine. Many people regain the weight they lost after they quit taking the medicines.
Studies show that when people took.footnote
- Bupropion/naltrexone (Contrave), some lost 8 to 11 pounds.
- Liraglutide (Saxenda), some lost 8 to 13 pounds.
- Lorcaserin (Belviq), some lost 4 to 8 pounds.
- Orlistat (Xenical), some lost 6 to 7 pounds.
- Phentermine/topiramate (Qsymia), some lost 9 to 24 pounds.
Medicine doesn't work for everyone. If you don't lose weight within 4 weeks after you start the medicine, it probably won't help you.
How much do they cost?
Weight-loss medicines can range in cost. But they can be expensive. If you and your doctor have decided that you need a weight-loss medicine Visit Now Genmedicare store , make sure you know how much you will have to pay.
