If you are overweight or obese and need to jump-start your weight loss, medical interventions can be your best ally. Depending on the amount of weight you need to lose and how quickly you need to lose weight, there are three available approaches.

Medically Supervised Diets

There are an array of medically supervised diets depending on whether you want a more structured plan or the ability to create your own meal plans. Some diets are more expensive and involve ordering meals that are nutritionally balanced. This can be the easiest approach because if you stick to the meal plan, everything is pre-measured to fit within your calorie allowance. If you want less structure, your family doctor can make recommendations. They might give you a calorie allowance of less than 1,500 calories along with suggestion on what not to eat. For more weight loss and fewer struggles with hunger, you may be advised to limit carbohydrates, including fruits, and eat high-protein foods.

Prescription Medications

There are two main medications on the market that are approved for weight loss: phentermine and bupropion/naltrexone, with each medication working differently. Phentermine has stimulant properties and not only suppresses your appetite, but also increases your energy. This combination allows people to consume fewer calories while being more motivated to exercise. Since phentermine is a stimulant, you can only take it for 12 weeks at a time to prevent tolerance to the effects.

Bupropion/naltrexone is a combination medication with bupropion being used as antidepressant and smoking cessation aid, and naltrexone is typically used for people battling alcohol dependence. The combination of these medications is approved for long-term use in weight loss because it helps decrease your appetite while suppressing food cravings.

Intragastric Balloon

The intragastric balloon is a non-surgical procedure that is used for six months to jump-start weight loss. Much like other bariatric procedures, you need to meet specific criteria, but they are usually less stringent than for more invasive bariatric procedures. The procedure involves using an endoscope to insert a deflated balloon into the stomach. Once the balloon is in the right place, it is filled with saline. The objective of the procedure is to fill up part of the space in your stomach so you cannot eat as much and become full with less food. Since the procedure is designed to be temporary, it is important to engage with other medical professionals, such as a nutritionist and therapist to develop sustained lifestyle changes.

When you cannot lose weight on your own, talk with your doctor about other options. There are several medical interventions that can increase your chances of sustained weight loss.