Could a medical weight-loss program be your next step towards losing weight?
In a sad curtailment to our golf holiday along the Murray River earlier this year, my husband’s brother passed away. Sadder still, this was not unexpected.
Weighing in at more than 150 kilograms, my brother-in-law had reached a point where diabetes and heart problems had made his life very difficult. He had started to use a walking frame to get around. He could not benefit from surgery for weight management because of his weight and health issues. It was his heart that gave out in the end. A keen golfer, he was only 70.
Many of us could do with losing a few kilos or more for our health. According to GP Dr Roy Mariathas, many methods for weight loss, including diet and exercise plans, commercial weight-loss programs and supplements, fail to achieve long-term success due to a lack of personalised guidance, unsustainable strategies or insufficient support.
If you’ve tried the latest dieting trends/lifestyles – think Keto, fasting, low-carb, Atkins, paleo and vegan diets (the list goes on) – and none have worked plus surgery is a risk for you, perhaps it’s time to consider a medical weight-loss program.
“It is generally recommended to try adopting a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet and regular exercise, before considering a medical weight-loss program,” Dr Mariathas says. “However, if individuals find it challenging to lose weight through traditional methods or have specific health concerns requiring a personalised approach, a medical program could be beneficial.”
Suitable for men and women, medical weight-loss programs involve a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to weight loss, typically led by healthcare professionals. “These individualised programs consider factors such as nutrition, exercise, behaviour modification and, if necessary, medication, to achieve long-term weight loss and overall health improvement,” Dr Mariathas explains. “This tailored approach, combined with ongoing support, can lead to more sustainable weight loss and overall health improvements.”
One such program, the Pilot Metabolic Reset Program, combines clinically proven hunger-regulating medications with personalised health coaching to help individuals learn about their body and make targeted behavioural changes to achieve sustainable weight loss.
“Weight loss varies from person to person, but clinical research indicates that a quarter of patients can lose more than 10 percent of their body weight after five months, and the average patient can lose 12.1 percent after a year when combining medication with behavioural changes,” Dr Mariathas says.
He adds that the medications are considered safe, with minimal side effects, and have been widely used since 2005. The most common side effects include nausea, diarrhoea and constipation, which often diminish over time.
“It’s essential to recognise that the Pilot Metabolic Reset Program is not a one-size-fits-all solution. The program offers plans tailored to each individual’s unique needs and circumstances, ensuring the best possible results. Additionally, maintaining open communication with the healthcare professionals and health coaches involved in the program can further enhance its effectiveness,” he explains.
“In addition to medical weight-loss programs, I recommend incorporating healthy lifestyle habits, such as consuming a balanced diet, engaging in regular physical activity, practising stress management techniques and maintaining good sleep rhythms.”
Visit pilot.com.au/weight-loss for more information.
Did you know?
Using your mobile phone has been linked with high blood pressure – and it only takes 30 minutes or more usage each week to have a 12 percent increased risk. Why? Because of the radiofrequency energy. The risk is greatest for people with a high genetic risk, report the authors of the study published in the European Heart Journal – Digital. Hands-free or speaker set-ups were considered safe.
