I Can't Seem to Lose Weight on My Own: Is Medically Supervised Weight Loss My Answer?

Americans pack a lot of weight — literally. In 2012, about 69% of US adults were overweight or obese, and since then, we’ve been heading in the wrong direction. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the incidence of obesity was 42.4% in 2017-2018, up from 30.5% in 1999-2000; the incidence of severe obesity during the same timeframe went up from 4.7% to 9.2%.

Obesity is more of a problem than just carrying around extra weight. It serves as a major risk factor for some of the leading causes of premature but preventable death, such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain forms of cancer. It also puts a strain on both personal finances and the greater economy, costing the country around $147 billion annually, which amounts to $1,429 more per person per year than for those of “normal” weight.

At Broadway Family Clinic, board-certified family physicians Dr. Kashif Siddiqui and Dr. Sumera Muzaffar understand the frustration of having your weight constantly yo-yo-ing as you try the next fad diet and the one after that. That’s why they offer supervised medical weight loss for their patients in Pearland, Texas, who need to drop the pounds. Here’s what’s involved.

What is medical weight loss?

Broadway Family Clinic offers medical weight loss under the supervision of our physicians and with all the resources you need to succeed. While the team necessarily advocates restricting your calorie intake and exercising to burn more calories than you consume, they’re also aware that certain biological conditions beyond your control can derail your success. You could have a hormonal imbalance that alters your metabolism, or you may have low levels of one or more micronutrients, or you could have some underlying medical problem that makes losing weight harder than it should be.

When you’re part of our medical weight loss program, the doctor first conducts a thorough medical exam and comprehensive testing to identify as many variables as possible. They then treat any issues that are flagged before they can sabotage your efforts.

The doctors also bring specialized knowledge about nutrition, supplements, and prescription medications to the table that can help ease your journey. And they speak directly with you about your weight loss and body image goals, drawing up a treatment plan that includes that information.

Why medical weight loss might be right for you

Participating in a medical weight loss program beats flying (and failing) solo. Here’s why.

Provides a customized diet plan tailored to your needs

When you go on a diet by yourself, there’s a lot of guesswork involved. Does it take all your personal health issues into account? Does it meet your specific nutritional needs for macro- and micronutrients? What happens if you plateau somewhere in the middle and can’t get unstuck?

When you participate in a medical weight loss program, your care team creates a plan that meets all of your needs, is easy to understand, and is easy to stick to. You’ll still be able to enjoy most of the things you like to eat, but the doctor shows you a better way to structure the calories you consume. And because they know your risk factors, they can help you focus on the lifestyle changes that give you the best opportunity for long-term success, including rethinking your relationship with food.

In addition, if you need extra help, the doctor can prescribe medication, such as the newly repurposed diabetes drugs semaglutide and tirzepatide. These help suppress your appetite and boost your metabolism, easing the dieting process.

Matches exercise plan with your physical abilities

You need to have a regular exercise regimen to help shed the pounds, but if, for example, you have arthritic knees, contact sports are probably not a good choice for you.  Because the doctor has your complete medical history and some knowledge of your interests, they can make appropriate suggestions about which regimen will help you lose the weight but not hurt you in the process.

Provides accountability and support

A supervised weight loss program comes with a built-in support network that allows you to access resources and get encouragement. It also provides the accountability missing from a solo plan. At each appointment, we evaluate your progress; if you’re not doing the work, the evidence will show up at the weigh-in, and we can get you back on track so you don’t lose too much ground. We also periodically revise the treatment plan to reflect your current needs.

If you’re struggling to lose weight on your own, be kind to yourself, and make an appointment with Broadway Family Clinic. Our medically supervised weight loss program can make the difference. To get started, give our office a call at 346-857-0603, or book online with us today.