How Weight Loss Medications Can Help You Achieve Your Goals

If you’re struggling with weight control, you’re not alone. Obesity is a severe health issue that affects millions of people in the United States. And many people who struggle with their body weight find themselves in a vicious cycle of weight loss attempts — and repeated failures.

Weight loss medications are an option that can help tip the scales in your favor. While they may be mischaracterized as an unnecessary  “crutch” by people who don’t fully understand how they work, weight loss medications can be a highly effective and safe way to lose weight.

However, these medications must be prescribed and managed by an experienced medical professional such as Dr. Jack Husney, a board-certified gastroenterologist and weight loss specialist in Brooklyn, New York. Here, he explains how weight loss medications work, and whether they may be right for you.

When to consider weight loss medications

Being overweight or obese isn’t just about how you look; it puts you at risk of developing health problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease if you do nothing about it.

If you’re currently trying to lose weight, you’re courageous. Shedding those extra pounds requires more hard work than many people who’ve never had weight control problems often realize. But sometimes, despite your best efforts, the scale just won’t budge. 

Even though you may be doing everything right — eating healthy foods and exercising every day — weight loss can be a complicated endeavor. Factors like genetics, metabolism, and hormones can affect your ability to lose weight. In such cases, medical assistance in the form of weight loss medication can be a game-changer. 

How weight loss medications work

There are many types of weight loss medications, and one of the most common is appetite suppressants. These work by subduing your appetite, which helps you feel full longer and reduces the temptation to overeat. By curbing your hunger, you naturally consume fewer calories throughout the day.

There are also medications that inhibit fat absorption. These medications reduce the amount of fat your body absorbs from food. In turn, you can reduce how many calories you consume without drastically changing your diet.

Some weight loss medications are designed to speed up your metabolism, encouraging your body to burn calories more efficiently. And for people with insulin resistance or prediabetes, weight loss medications that help regulate blood sugar levels can be effective for weight loss.

For instance, semaglutide (Wegovy®) has been trending as a weight loss medication for a few years. Although it was developed as a treatment for diabetes, semaglutide has been proven to have weight loss benefits and has now been approved by the FDA for just that. It works by reducing your appetite and improving your metabolism.

Weight loss medications aren’t a “magic pill” that can make you shed tons of pounds overnight. To reach your goals and sustain them long-term, you must also make healthy lifestyle changes like adopting nutritious eating patterns and exercising regularly. 

Are weight loss medications safe?

One of people’s biggest concerns about weight loss medications is whether they’re safe. When prescribed and monitored by a qualified doctor, weight loss medications can be both safe and effective. Dr. Husney is a specialist in this field and has helped many patients safely use weight loss medications to reach their weight loss goals.

Before prescribing any medication, Dr. Husney thoroughly evaluates your health history, current lifestyle, and weight loss goals to determine if you’re a good candidate for this type of treatment. He monitors your progress closely and adjusts your treatment plan as needed to ensure you get the best results with minimal side effects.

Find out if weight loss medications are right for you

Don’t lose hope if you’ve been struggling with your weight despite doing everything right. Weight loss is complex, and many factors outside your control could slow your progress. 

When prescribed and monitored by an expert like Dr. Husney, weight loss medications can give your body the push it needs to get the process underway and keep it moving until you achieve your goals. 

Whether you’ve just decided to lose weight or you’ve been working at it for years, schedule a visit with Dr. Husney in our Brooklyn, New York, office today to get the medical guidance you need to lose weight safely and effectively — and keep it off long term.