5 Signs You’re a Candidate for Medical Weight Loss

In the United States, more than 40% of adults are obese — have a body mass index or BMI of 30 or higher — and the number is increasing. Obesity-related conditions, too, are on the rise. Yet, most people struggle to lose weight, or find themselves losing and gaining in a never-ending cycle. Along with the number of people who are obese, many others are overweight, with a BMI of 25-30, putting them at risk of multiple conditions.

At Northeast Florida Internal Medicine, our highly trained clinicians, Elyssa Blissenbach, MD, and Lea-Anne Griffis, APRN, offer medically supervised weight loss as a service to our patients who are seeking a way to lose weight, develop healthy habits, and improve their overall health.  

Here are five indicators that you may need medical help with weight loss. 

1. Comorbidities

One of the most important reasons to consider weight loss management services from a doctor’s office is to protect your overall health. If you have a condition such as heart disease, diabetes, or some other chronic illness, obesity is considered a comorbidity.

Losing weight can help decrease the chance your condition will worsen, and it can help prevent developing additional problems. In some instances, losing weight can help resolve a chronic problem. For example, if you have sleep apnea, losing weight could reduce or even alleviate your symptoms. 

2. Increased risk

When you’re obese, your risk of developing other issues increases. For example, there’s an association between type 2 diabetes and obesity. Heart disease, some types of cancer, and sleep apnea are more common among obese people. Additionally, conditions such as arthritis are worsened by extra weight.

If your regular check up reveals that you have pre-diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol, you could help lower your risk of developing more serious conditions by losing some weight. 

3. Obesity

If your weight and BMI put you in the overweight category, you may not be too concerned about those extra pounds. But the fact is, if you’re overweight there’s a significant chance you’ll continue to gain and become obese.

With a medical weight management program, you can lose those few extra pounds and build habits that keep you from gaining them back. 

4. Repeated failures

We’ve mentioned that it’s very common for people to lose weight only to regain it later. This is such a frustrating situation!

If you’re frustrated with the cycle of weight loss/weight gain, it may be time to consider a medical weight management program. We offer so much more than a calorie range and exercise instructions. We help you develop the habits, skills, and tools you need to maintain a healthy weight for life. 

5. A team approach

Finally, if the idea of having a whole team on your side as you embark on your weight loss journey is appealing, schedule your appointment in our office today. We’re here for you, ready to help you reach your goal!