Medical Weight Loss in Philadelphia
Maintaining a healthy weight is essential for overall well-being, but navigating the often-confusing world of weight loss can be daunting. It’s easy to get caught up in a web of fad diets and ineffective products that promise rapid results but fail to deliver sustainable change.
This is where medical knowledge and proper treatment come in. The results you need will occur when you begin a personalized program designed to address the unique challenges you face when trying to lose weight. At Philly Wellness Center, science-based programs are among the most effective medical weight loss Philadelphia offers.
What is Medical Weight Loss Treatment?
Medical weight loss is a personalized approach that focuses on achieving and maintaining a healthy weight through thoroughly evaluating individual health needs.
Medical weight loss aims to reduce weight and improve overall health. It goes beyond counting calories or following diet trends. Instead, it looks at critical factors contributing to weight gain and loss.
- Metabolism
- Hormone levels
- Age and lifestyle
- Underlying medical conditions
By addressing the root causes of weight gain, you can significantly decrease your risk of obesity-related health issues such as diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension. This holistic and personalized approach is crucial for achieving lasting weight reduction and creating a healthier lifestyle.
Understanding Medical Reasons for Weight Gain
Weight gain is often perceived through the lens of discipline and willpower. However, it’s crucial to understand that biological factors significantly influence body weight.
An imbalance in hormones is a common culprit, with excess insulin and cortisol (often linked to stress) being at the forefront of these issues. Many people mistakenly believe that weight gain universally results from personal shortcomings, but this isn’t always the case.
→ For some people, conventional methods of losing weight through diet and exercise fail because they do not address these underlying hormonal imbalances.
It is essential to recognize that these struggles are not unique to the individual and that, with the right approach, hormone optimization can often correct them.
Why Lose Weight Sooner than Later?
Many people wait until they have gained significant weight before seeking help. However, starting sooner rather than later is vital for many reasons. Whether you need to lose 10 or 100 pounds or more, a medical weight loss program can guide you toward a healthier lifestyle.
- Diet and exercise are critical for cardiovascular health and overall longevity, but they are insufficient drivers of sustainable weight loss for everyone. In fact, for some individuals, overexercising can increase cortisol levels, exacerbating weight gain.
Similarly, following a low-calorie diet can result in a sluggish metabolism and energy depletion. Have you ever noticed dieters who appear cold, exhausted, and miserable? This is often due to insufficient energy intake, suppressing adrenal function, and increasing cortisol production and insulin resistance. Recognizing these signs is vital for anyone struggling with weight management.
How the Treatment Process Works
Consultation
The first step is a thorough evaluation. We’ll discuss your weight loss goals, medical history, lifestyle habits, and any previous weight loss attempts. This conversation is essential for tailoring the program specifically to you.
Treatment
Once we understand your unique situation, we recommend a personalized treatment plan. It may include oral medications or weekly injections designed to help regulate appetite, optimize hormones, and enhance fat metabolism. The goal is to find the most effective combination that works for you while monitoring progress and adjusting treatment as necessary.
Seeing Results
In a typical medical weight loss program, you can expect to lose approximately one to two pounds weekly. Initial weight loss may be gradual as the body adjusts, especially when we increase dosages to minimize side effects while providing the necessary resources for the body to oxidize fat effectively.
Philadelphia Medical Weight Loss Clinic
The journey to achieving and maintaining a healthy weight is highly personal. In Philadelphia, medical weight loss regimens that we provide are designed specifically for you. We emphasize a balanced approach that prioritizes your health, recognizes individual experiences, and supports your goals.
By choosing to lose weight with medical supervision, you are investing in a sustainable future in which weight is not just lost but managed effectively. Significant changes are achievable with the proper medications, knowledge, and support, empowering you to lead a healthier, happier life.
If you or someone you love is struggling with weight, remember that help is available. Don’t wait until it feels too late—take the necessary steps today toward a healthier future. Call or contact us at Philly Wellness Center for a consultation, and let’s work together to outline a personalized plan that suits your needs. Your journey to a healthier you begins now.
FAQ | Losing Weight with Medical Assistance
Do you offer semaglutide?
Yes, semaglutide is just one of many medical weight loss options. Semaglutide has had a surge of interest with celebrities who are losing weight quickly, but it is just one of many options we can discuss.
Am I a candidate for medical weight loss?
Medical weight loss can help you lose a stubborn 5 or 10 pounds and over 150lbs or more. As we age, losing weight becomes increasingly complex and can be resistant to diet and exercise. Medical weight loss can jump start your weight loss and for most people can help you achieve results within 12 weeks.
Why doesn’t dieting alone work?
While there is a component of caloric restriction in all weight loss programs, focusing only on calories is short-sighted. Calories are how the body receives energy. Without enough energy, hormones in your body will begin to ration what is available. Your energy expenditure can never be more than your input over sustained periods of time. This is why caloric restriction seems to work at first, but then has not only diminishing returns over time, but you may even gain more weight than where you started within a year. This has been proven for decades.
Your hormones dictate how energy is used. You cannot selectively decide to metabolize fat only. When you decrease available energy to the cells, energy is taken away from all processes including temperature regulation (this is why dieters are always cold), movement (fatigue), digestion, liver detoxification, brain functioning, etc. Ironically, hormones will selectively hold onto fat as a way to preserve itself and only use it in extreme famine.
Why can’t I just exercise off fat?
Exercise is a vital component of any weight loss program. You need to maintain and build muscle. All weight loss programs will result in fat and muscle loss, so preserving the muscle you have is essential.
Exercise alone only accounts for about 5-10% of the body’ energy expenditure. So even if you exercised all day every day, you can only ever have a 10% impact on your weight. The flip side to that is excessive exercising stresses the body and causes cortisol release, which increases weight gain. Extreme exercise may be counterproductive to your goals.
As stated before, energy expenditure (output) cannot exceed energy input. You must supply the body with the calories it uses or it will be taken from somewhere else causing other problems such as extreme fatigue, coldness, problems digesting, loss of hair, brain fog, cognitive dysfunction, etc.
Can medical weight loss improve other medical conditions?
Absolutely. Medical weight loss can significantly improve, and in some cases, even resolve conditions like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and sleep apnea.
Metabolic dysfunction is thought to be the root of most diseases at this time including 13 cancers.
Is medical weight loss a lifelong commitment?
It may be. Our goal isn’t just to give you medications. You will need to alter your lifestyle, eat real healthy foods, eliminate junk and processed foods that spike insulin (which causes fat accumulation), strength train to preserve muscle and build a healthy outlook. This takes time and commitment. Many people may be resistant or deficient completely on the hormones needed to maintain weight, in which case using the lowest possible doses may be a lifelong commitment.
The problem with gaining weight in the first place is that fat cells have memory. You will always be fighting the cell’s desire to return to the increased size. The only way to avoid this is to never gain the weight in the first place. The next best thing is to optimize your hormones.
Will insurance cover medical weight loss?
Insurance will only cover medical weight loss if your BMI is greater than 27. If you fall below 27, they will not cover it.
We believe weight gain should be avoided as much as possible and should start when a person needs to lose as little as 5-10 pounds. Again, the fat cells have memory. When someone is 50-100 pounds overweight, their journey is much more difficult. It is inherently better to never gain the weight in the first place. Unfortunately many people do not have that luxury and we meet you where you are at.
Can peptides support weight loss and improve overall health?
Peptides, used in functional medicine, are short chains of amino acids that act as powerful signaling molecules in the body. They regulate various biological processes, such as stimulating tissue repair, reducing inflammation, and enhancing cellular communication. When it comes to weight loss, specific peptides can help boost energy, improve metabolism, and support fat burning while also aiding recovery and endurance.
Beyond weight loss, peptides offer additional benefits like better sleep, healthier skin and hair, and even immune support. By identifying the right peptide stack for your needs, you can achieve your health and wellness goals more effectively.
