Successful weight loss is a goal of many individuals, primarily individuals that are overweight or obese and want to adopt a healthy weight for improved well-being. Making lifestyle changes including habits like eating a healthy diet and exercising is usually the foundation of weight loss. However, it might not always be enough.
In situations like these, medical interventions and weight loss treatments are necessary. Numerous weight loss treatments, including surgical procedures, prescription medications, and non-invasive therapies, are now available.
If you are on your weight loss journey and are looking for interventions to support the process, this detailed guide from AKARA by AAYNA, one of the best weight loss clinic in Delhi can be a game-changer.
What is the Need for Medical Intervention for Weight Loss?
When we discuss weight loss, the first thought that strikes people’s minds is losing weight through lifestyle modifications like eating in a calorie deficit, exercising, etc.
While these methods are stepping stones in a person’s weight loss journey, they might not always be enough. This is where medical intervention becomes necessary.
Factors like genetics, hormonal imbalances, medical conditions, and previous weight loss attempts can impact one’s weight loss success. Furthermore, individuals with a BMI higher than 30 might often need to consider medical interventions to support their weight loss journey and make the process a little bit easier on them.
What are the Surgical Weight Loss Treatments?
Weight loss surgeries, aka bariatric surgeries, are usually a recommended option for individuals struggling with severe obesity or obesity-related health conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and sleep apnea. The mechanism of these surgeries is simple – they modify the digestive system to promote weight loss by reducing food intake or absorption.
Some of the most common bariatric surgeries include:
1. Gastric Bypass Surgery (Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass)
Regarded as the most commonly done bariatric surgery, gastric bypass wherein the surgeon creates a small stomach pouch all while rerouting a portion of the small intestine. This reduces calorie absorption and limits food intake, leading to significant weight loss.
This is the most effective surgical intervention for individuals looking for long-term weight loss solutions. The surgery has also been found to be quite beneficial for addressing issues like diabetes and hypertension. It also keeps the appetite in check by altering the gut hormones.
Risks & Considerations
- Requires lifelong dietary changes
- Risk of nutritional deficiencies
- Possible complications like dumping syndrome (nausea, vomiting, dizziness)
2. Gastric Sleeve Surgery (Sleeve Gastrectomy)
Unlike gastric bypass, gastric sleeve surgery removes about 75-80% of the stomach, which leaves the patient with a sleeve-shaped stomach that holds less food and produces fewer hunger-stimulating hormones. Most individuals who undergo this surgery witness significant weight loss in the year following the surgery.
However, the biggest benefit of gastric sleeve surgery over gastric bypass surgery is that it’s much less invasive and thus has a lower risk of complications.
Risks & Considerations
- Irreversible
- Risk of acid reflux and nutrient deficiencies
- Requires lifestyle changes to maintain results
3. Gastric Banding (Lap-Band Surgery)
The majority of the people who experience trouble with weight loss report their inability to manage their appetite. This is where the gastric banding surgery comes into the picture.
A silicone band is placed around the stomach’s upper portion to create a small pouch. This restricts food intake without altering digestion. One of the primary benefits of this procedure is that it is adjustable and reversible, unlike the previous two surgeries. Also, the complications are quite less, and the weight loss is gradual but sustained.
Risks & Considerations
- Less effective than gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy
- Risk of band slippage or erosion
- Requires frequent adjustments and follow-ups
4. Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch (BPD/DS)
Often kept as the last resort in the bariatric surgery niche, BPD/DS is another complex procedure that combines a gastric sleeve with intestinal rerouting to reduce food absorption.
Although the risks are usually the most in this procedure, the weight loss potential is usually the greatest. For individuals suffering from diabetes and other metabolic disorders due to their obesity, undergoing this surgery offers the most promising results in reversing such complications.
Risks & Considerations
- High risk of nutritional deficiencies
- Requires strict adherence to dietary guidelines
- The complications are quite a lot more than other bariatric surgeries
Note: Surgical interventions for weight loss require a lot of discussion with the surgeon, understanding whether you are an ideal candidate and then personalising the treatment plan to suit your body’s needs best.
What are Some Popular Medical Weight Loss Treatments (Prescription Medications)?
While the concept of bariatric or weight loss surgeries is common, you will seldom find open discussions around medical weight loss treatments involving prescription medications.
In most cases, these medications are prescribed to individuals with a BMI of 30 and above and individuals experiencing issues with losing weight. These medications suppress appetite, increase metabolism, or reduce fat absorption.
Besides a high BMI over 30, individuals who are struggling with chronic metabolic disorders like diabetes, hypertension, etc., are also prescribed such medications to be able to lose weight sustainably.
Do Prescription Medications for Weight Loss Truly Work?
A common question that many individuals have regarding prescription medications for weight loss is questioning its efficacy. Do they work?
Studies indicate that the long-term use of these weight loss medications, when used over the course of 12 weeks or more, often yields desired weight loss results. Combining prescribed medications with lifestyle changes often leads to promising benefits in channelling sustained weight loss.
Also, taking these prescription drugs over the course of one year contributes to 3-12 per cent of total body fat loss, which might not seem like a lot, but it does significantly boost one’s overall health and well-being.
As per the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA), there are six drugs that have been approved for weight loss:
- Bupropion-naltrexone (Contrave)
- Liraglutide (Saxenda)
- Orlistat (Xenical, Alli)
- Phentermine-topiramate (Qsymia)
- Semaglutide (Wegovy)
- Setmelanotide (Imcivree)
The mechanism of action of prescription drugs for weight loss is simple—they work by suppressing your appetite, preventing you from overeating, and keeping you full for a longer period. In the long run, this affects the way your body absorbs fat, keeping your metabolism in check and helping you shed the extra pounds.
How Long Should One Take Weight Loss Drugs?
The duration of “how long” you should be on prescription medications for weight loss depends on the efficacy of the drug and how your body is responding to it.
For example, if you have taken the medication and it has helped you lose significant weight without any considerable side effects, you might be prescribed to take it in the long run.
On the contrary, if you have been taking the medication for 3-6 months but have not lost 5% of the body weight even after that, your doctor will most likely stop prescribing it or switch you to a different weight loss drug.
Non-Surgical & Alternative Weight Loss Treatments: The AKARA Way
If you aren’t focused on taking any medications or don’t want to undergo any surgical interventions for losing weight, there are numerous non-surgical and non-invasive alternatives to consider.
At AKARA by AAYNA, you consult specialists who understand your body composition, lifestyle, and overall well-being and prescribe the best treatments for you.
There are numerous weight loss programs available at AKARA, and we curate treatment plans based on your individual needs. Some of the most popular weight loss treatments to consider are:
1. AKARA Body Transformation
Perfect for upper and lower body transformation, the program includes a combination of world-class, safe, proven, and expensive technologies to address your body contouring concerns. The objective of this treatment is to target the localised fat pockets in certain parts of the body. Eliminating fat also improves the appearance and contours of the body.
Benefits include:
- Targets upper and lower body
- It gets rid of localised and stubborn fat pockets
- Non-invasive nature with zero downtime
- Long-lasting results after 6-8 sessions
2. AKARA Bulge Removal
If you are tired of the “pooch” around your abdominal region, AKARA’s Bulge Removal is the perfect weight loss treatment. The treatment targets the small pockets of fat around your arms, bra rolls, love handles, and auxiliary fat, not just the abdomen.
Benefits include:
- Experience dual action benefits with fat loss and skin tightening
- Successful inch loss
- Get rid of sagginess
- Visible results in 6-8 sessions
- Non-invasive nature with no downtime
3. AKARA Slim and Tone
Another popular weight loss program for a more defined and contoured appearance is the AKARA Slim and Tone. The treatment uses a blend of monopolar radiofrequency and targeted pressure energy, which not only contributes to successful fat reduction but also removes cellulite.
The treatment targets many areas in the body, such as the upper arms, abdomen, front and back of thighs, and buttocks. With its noninvasive nature, the treatment also targets the skin’s sagginess, getting rid of cellulite and contributing to a more toned and contoured appearance.
Benefits include:
- Treats cellulite and promotes fat reduction
- Builds collagen
- Repairs skin laxity
- Tightens the skin
- Tones and smoothens the skin
- Reduces skin dimpling caused by excess cellulite
Among all the different weight loss treatments, the key is to pick the one that best suits your needs. This requires a thorough consultation with our specialists at AKARA, followed by a personalised treatment plan.
Embrace a Healthier Life with AKARA!
Weight loss is a highly individualised journey, and with today’s medical advancements, numerous effective treatments are available. Whether you opt for surgery, prescription medications, or non-invasive procedures, choosing a method that aligns with your health needs and lifestyle is key to success.
If you are ready to take the next step in your weight loss journey, our specialists at AKARA are here to guide you.
Schedule your consultation at https://www.akarabyaayna.com/ and learn more about our personalised weight loss programs.
