Non Surgical Treatments

Weight Loss Medications

Medications (also called Medical Weight Loss) can be used as an adjunct to lifestyle changes to help individuals with overweight or obesity lose weight and improve their health. 

The different types of medications used for obesity management include:

• Appetite suppressants: These medications reduce hunger and cravings, making sticking to a reduced-calorie diet easier. Some examples of appetite suppressants include phentermine, diethylpropion, and phendimetrazine.
• Fat blockers: These medications work by preventing the absorption of fat from food. Orlistat is an example of a fat blocker.
• GLP-1 receptor agonists: These medications increase feelings of fullness and slow stomach emptying. Examples include liraglutide, semaglutide, and albiglutide.
• Bupropion-naltrexone: This combination reduces hunger and cravings and increases feelings of fullness.
• Topiramate: This anti-seizure medication is used off-label for weight loss. Its mechanism is unknown, but it does produce some weight loss and has been combined with phentermine. 

These medications are typically used with lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise and are not intended for long-term use. New medications are becoming available, and their use is evolving. Our obesity medicine specialist can advise you on the latest data. Regular monitoring is essential to assess your progress and monitor for side effects and drug interactions. 

Lifestyle Changes

Lifestyle changes are often the first line of treatment for obesity and are a vital component of obesity management. These changes typically include changes to diet and exercise and other habits and behaviours that may contribute to weight gain.

• Diet: Eating a healthy diet that is low in calories, saturated fat, and added sugars and high in fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins can help to promote weight loss and improve overall health. This can include reducing portion sizes, limiting processed foods, and increasing the intake of whole foods.
• Exercise: Regular physical activity is essential to weight loss and weight management. The American College of Sports Medicine recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise per week and muscle-strengthening activities at least two days per week.
• Sleep: Obtaining good quality and enough sleep is essential for weight management. Chronic sleep deprivation can lead to hormonal imbalances that increase the risk of weight gain and obesity.
• Hydration: Maintaining adequate hydration is important for hunger control, energy levels and for your kidney function.
• Stress Management: Stress can lead to weight gain, so it's important to manage stress levels. Examples of stress management strategies may include yoga, meditation and deep breathing.
• Mindful eating: Mindful eating is an approach that encourages paying attention to the physical and emotional sensations of hunger and fullness, as well as the taste, smell, appearance and pleasure of food.
• Support system: Having a support system, such as a family member, friend, or support group, can help to provide motivation and encouragement for making lifestyle changes.

Lifestyle changes are a long-term commitment, but with time and effort, they can lead to sustainable weight loss, improved overall health and reduced risk of obesity-related health conditions.