3 Medical Weight Loss Misconceptions

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As obesity rates steadily rise around the world, more people are looking for effective ways to get rid of their excess pounds.

After years of viral fad diets and unregulated diet pills, shakes, and teas that claim to melt off fat, the mainstream introduction of FDA-regulated and approved weight loss medications has naturally been appealing. According to studies on the rise of weight loss drugs, nearly two million Americans are currently on some form of weight loss drug today. Thanks to this, drug manufacturers have recorded a steady uptick in sales. Just last year, the Danish makers of popular drugs Ozempic, Rybelsus, and Wegovy said the weight loss medications brought in over $20 billion.

Despite all this demand and success, though, medical weight loss remains largely misunderstood by the general public.

Read on to find out some of the most common misconceptions related to these drugs and the truth behind them.

Anyone can take medical weight loss drugs

Although the effect and fame of medical weight loss drugs may seem universally attractive, they’re not designed for general use. To qualify for these drugs, doctors will take a look at several factors. The most pressing of these is your body mass index or BMI. As explained in our online BMI calculations chart, this is a means of measuring a person’s weight in relation to their height. The results of a BMI calculation range from around 12 to over 30. For a medical weight loss prescription, your BMI must be over 30, which signifies obesity. An exception to this is if your BMI is around 27, which indicates being overweight, and you have comorbidities. Doctors are careful to only prescribe these drugs to eligible patients so as to ensure that demand doesn’t overwhelm supply. At the same time, this helps minimize any risk that comes from taking drugs that affect the way the body functions.

Medical weight loss drugs are a one-and-done solution

According to the University of Missouri Health Care, many patients lose up to 15% of their total body weight on medical weight loss drugs. That said, these results are only really achievable and sustainable when the drugs are part of a doctor-led holistic lifestyle plan. The weight loss clinic online at WeightWatchers shows how the patients that are eligible for the aforementioned drugs are also provided with 1:1 check-ins with doctors, a tailored nutrition program, and ongoing support from a care team of dietitians and fitness trainers. This ensures that patients receive compassionate and comprehensive care that closely monitors their status. As a result, patients are also taught healthy habits that can ensure they don’t regain any of the weight lost, and they can maintain their current figure.

All medical weight loss drugs are the same

While semaglutides may be the most well-known on the market, there are several other varieties of weight loss drugs today. Other options include tirzepatide, liraglutide, phentermine, and topiramate, to name a few. While these all have the similar function of helping curb appetites, their more notable differences lie in the method in which they are administered. While some may be given via injections, others can be taken orally through pills or capsules. Apart from this, different drugs carry varying side effects. After all, while these drugs are generally safe, they are not totally risk-free. For instance, phentermine can cause restlessness or insomnia. Meanwhile, a tirzepatide can cause nausea and abdominal pain. These differences are also why weight loss drugs should only be taken with a doctor’s guidance since they can find you the right drug and dose to suit your needs and preferences.