Medical Review by Jennie Stanford, MD, FAAFP, DABOM
Summary:
- Popular diets, like Keto and Paleo, may work for some but often fail to address the root causes of weight gain, like medical conditions or hormonal factors.
- Healthcare providers can use health data, like your BMI and medical history, to create tailored weight loss plans that fit your individual needs. These may include medication if clinically indicated.
- FDA-approved options, like GLP-1 medications (e.g., Wegovy®), help people lose around 15% of body weight on average when combined with lifestyle changes.
- Working with a healthcare provider can also account for conditions like thyroid disorders, PCOS, and insulin resistance—which can impact your ability to lose weight and make some treatments more effective than others.
- Comprehensive care sets you up for success. Combining proven treatments with lifestyle changes, therapy, and ongoing medical support leads to safe, sustainable weight loss.
Learn why medically guided programs may deliver better long-term results
You’ve probably heard of traditional diets, like Keto, South Beach, or Paleo—but while diets like these are popular, will they work for you?
Fad diets often promise quick results, but weight loss is a complex issue. General approaches that lack medical oversight may not always be enough to address the underlying factors contributing to weight gain, especially when there’s a medical condition involved.
Consulting a healthcare provider about weight loss can offer you a different method—one based on evidence and tailored to your individual needs. In this guide, we’ll explore why medical weight is different from dieting and show you how to create a tailored plan that sets you up for lasting success.
See a healthcare provider before you decide
If your goal is to lose weight, you should contact a healthcare provider before deciding on a method. A qualified medical practitioner can help you learn what a healthy weight is for you, set meaningful and achievable goals, and recommend different approaches based on your unique needs.
Having medical support is also important because weight loss can come with risks, especially when the amount is excessive or unintended. The goal of weight loss should be to achieve a stable weight with desirable levels of physical fitness and metabolic health.
Attempting to lose dramatic amounts of weight through extreme diets can be unsafe. It is also unsustainable in many cases—once you go off these diets, you will most likely regain the weight you’ve lost.
Focus on individualized care
When you contact a healthcare professional about losing weight, they may use the following methods to help determine the best way for you to proceed:
- Asking about your diet and exercise habits
- Measuring your body mass index (BMI) and other factors (like waist to height ratio and waist circumference or body composition analysis) to determine whether you are at a healthy weight
- Reviewing your medical history—including any medicines or supplements you take—to see if these may be having an impact on your weight
Based on the information they collect, your care provider can then design a weight loss plan based on your individual needs.
Why general dieting doesn’t always work
It’s important to remember that there is no single diet that works for everyone. So, if you’ve heard of a new dieting craze that’s claiming to achieve incredible results no matter what, there is probably good reason to be skeptical.
One common misconception about dieting is that it comes down to a simple matter of “calories in vs. calories out”. But, while the amount of energy you consume can certainly cause you to lose weight if it’s less than the amount your body uses, regulating your weight and appetite are actually much more complicated processes.
Your hormones and the neural pathways in your brain can cause you to adapt and resist weight changes from diets, exercise regimens, or even medications—and these are not the same from one person to the next. No one knows exactly why the same diet can have different results for different people, but studies suggest your metabolism and genetics may both play a role.
Working with a medical practitioner can help you develop a personalized plan to lose weight, instead of a broad-stroke approach that may or may not work. Next, we’ll look at what a medical weight loss program could include.
What medical weight loss involves
FDA-approved medications & devices
Medical weight loss programs often incorporate FDA-approved treatments that have been proven effective through clinical research. These medications or devices can support weight loss when combined with healthy lifestyle changes like diet and exercise.
Examples of medical weight loss interventions include:
- GLP-1 medications: These drugs mimic natural hormones that regulate hunger, helping you feel full sooner and reducing overall calorie intake. Wegovy® is an FDA-approved GLP-1 medication for weight loss in people who are struggling with obesity or being overweight.
Research shows GLP-1 medications can help people lose around 15% of their body weight on average when used as part of a comprehensive plan.
- Weight loss or weight management devices: There are several weight loss and weight management devices regulated by the FDA.
Weight loss devices include gastric bands, gastric balloon systems, and suturing devices, while weight management devices include different types of space-occupying devices that either limit bite size during meals or take up space in the stomach so there’s less room for food.
Traditional diets typically focus on calorie restriction, but this approach is increasingly viewed as outdated. And, since only 2% of people who meet the criteria for using anti-obesity medications actually get them, there are many people who could potentially benefit from more evidence-backed weight loss methods.
Behavioral & psychological tools for weight loss
Your healthcare provider may also suggest that you seek other forms of support to help you lose weight. Some types of therapy can be included in weight loss plans to help you maintain your mental wellness and commitment to losing weight during the process. Here are some examples:
- Personalized cognitive-behavioral therapy for obesity (CBT-OB) combines standard behavioral weight loss techniques with specific cognitive strategies so you can address thought patterns that may be impacting your treatment and achieve better results. Research shows that it may have the potential to be more effective than traditional weight loss methods.
- Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) use techniques rooted in Buddhist traditions, often combined with Western therapy techniques, like stress reduction or cognitive behavioral therapy. These techniques do not tend to be effective unless they are combined with diet and exercise, but they can improve the mental health and stress issues you may face when trying to lose weight.
Addressing underlying health issues
One of the biggest limitations of traditional diets is that they aren’t typically designed to account for underlying medical conditions that can contribute to weight gain—whereas seeing a healthcare provider to create a medical weight loss plan involves looking closely at your medical history.
Common conditions that impact weight include:
- Thyroid disorders: An underactive thyroid can slow your metabolism and make it harder to lose weight.
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): Research suggests that women with PCOS may also be at risk for gaining weight—possibly due to factors like lower energy levels, affected hormones, or mental health challenges that make physical activity difficult.
- Insulin resistance: When you have higher insulin levels, it can cause your body to store more fat—leading to weight gain.
Identifying these conditions before you start trying to lose weight can prevent you from facing unexpected obstacles or setbacks. Your healthcare provider will ensure that any treatments or medications prescribed are safe and address the root cause of the problem.
Find qualified support for weight loss with Lemonaid Health
Medical weight loss programs stand apart from traditional diets by offering a personalized, evidence-based approach. By integrating medical interventions, addressing underlying health conditions, and providing ongoing support, these programs help you achieve safe and lasting weight loss.
While popular diets might seem simple, they can be often overly restrictive and don’t address the complexities of weight management. The most effective approach combines evidence-based treatment with therapeutic lifestyle changes—and that’s where medical weight loss shines.
If you’re considering weight loss options, consulting a healthcare provider can give you the clarity and tools you need to succeed. Lemonaid Health can connect you with qualified US-based medical professionals for private online consultations where you’ll be able to have your questions answered by an expert.
We can also prescribe FDA-approved medications for weight loss in clinically indicated cases. Get started today and find the support that can help you achieve meaningful results.
Wegovy® are both registered trademarks of Novo Nordisk A/S.
