Medical Weight Loss Offered by a Team of Mercy Specialists
The weight loss specialists of The Maryland Bariatric Center at Mercy offer a comprehensive program to help patients lose weight and keep it off.
What is Medical Weight Loss?
Medical weight loss is a way to manage obesity with the assistance of medication. Most weight loss medications are taken via injection, though some can be ingested orally.
Weight loss medication is not meant to be a standalone solution. Patients must also commit to making permanent lifestyle changes, including a healthier diet and increased physical activity.
Different weight loss medications work in different ways: some are appetite suppressants, some mimic a hormone called GLP-1 that makes people feel fuller for longer, and some were initially developed to treat other health conditions but have weight loss as a side effect.
Who should consider Medical Weight Loss?
A patient may be a good candidate for medical weight loss if they:
- Have a body mass index (BMI) greater than 27 in addition to a serious, weight-related illness (such as type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea or high blood pressure)
- Have a BMI greater than 30 with or without any comorbidities
- Have no untreated eating disorders (bulimia, anorexia, binge eating)
- Are between 18 and 75 years of age
- Are ready and able to make permanent lifestyle changes regarding their diet and physical activity levels
Who is not a good candidate for Medical Weight Loss?
A patient may not be a good candidate for medical weight loss if they:
- Only want to lose five to 10 pounds
- Have a BMI over 35 (gastric bypass surgery or gastric sleeve surgery may be better options)
- Have one or more untreated eating disorders
- Are younger than 18 years or older than 75 years
- Are not ready or able to make permanent lifestyle changes regarding their diet and physical activity levels
What happens before and after Medical Weight Loss?
Before beginning medical weight loss with The Maryland Bariatric Center at Mercy, patients will need to:
- Take our educational online seminar
- Call their health insurance company to see if their plan covers anti-obesity medication
- Schedule a consultation with one of our medical weight loss practitioners to see if they are eligible for a medical weight loss prescription
- Meet their nurse practitioner, dietician and weight loss mental health specialist
After medical weight loss is underway, patients should:
- Maintain healthy eating habits and increased physical activity
- Check in regularly with their nurse practitioner and care team
- Take multivitamins every day
- Limit their alcohol intake
- Not actively try to get pregnant
What is the typical outcome of Medical Weight Loss?
With medical weight loss, patients can lose between 11 and 22 percent of their starting weight if they also commit to eating healthier and engaging in more physical activity. These lifestyle changes must be permanent in order to keep the weight off.