BARIATRIC MEDICATIONS FOR WEIGHT LOSS
Bariatric medications can be a wonderful adjunct in the overall plan to reach your health goals without the need for invasive weight loss surgery. In addition to diet and exercise, weight loss medications are used to aid in the process of achieving a healthy Body Mass Index (BMI). These medications work to curb hunger and improve impulse control — a main factor when it comes to poor dietary choices. Consult with Anchorage Bariatrics in Alaska today to see if this path is right for you.
SHOULD YOU USE MEDICATION TO LOSE WEIGHT?
In order to qualify for these medications, your BMI must be greater than 27 and you must have at least one medical condition that is exacerbated by obesity. High blood pressure, diabetes, and elevated cholesterol are examples of such conditions. A BMI of 30 or more can be treated with weight loss medication even if there are no other health conditions present.
WEIGHT LOSS GOALS
The goal when using these medications is cutting 5% of your total body weight over a period of 3 months. Most patients experience weight loss between 5% to 10% over that period when they use the medications listed below.
SAXENDA
Saxenda is an injectable weight loss medication that mimics the GLP-1 hormone in the human body. It helps reduce your appetite and feel full when you eat less food that you normally would. It is not a stimulant. To see if your insurance covers this medication and what your copay is, visit www.saxendacoverage.com or call 888-809-3942. Savings cards are also available on their website or in our office.
PHENTERMINE
Phentermine works to curb appetite and is the most prescribed weight loss medication. It has been on the market for many years and has an excellent track record of helping people shed extra pounds. There are several commercial names for phentermine.
CONTRAVE
Contrave is a combination medication of naltrexone and bupropion. The exact mechanism of action is not well known, but generally works to suppress appetite and improve impulse control. This medication is phased in over a four week period and requires a two week taper at the end of treatment.
QSYMIA
Qsymia is a combination medication that contains phentermine hydrochloride and topiramate. It works similarly to other weight loss medications with the added benefit of topiramate. Like Contrave, this medication will require a phase-in period to reach treatment dosing, and a taper period is also recommended.
The Best in the Business
If you have a weight loss goal and live in or around Anchorage, Alaska, our business can help. We will assist you in exploring non-surgical medical options that can shave off pounds in a short period of time. We use medication to help with this process. Our experienced team can help you change your life by improving your physical health. All you have to do is take the first step and contact Anchorage Bariatrics for weight loss assistance now!