There are many over-the-counter weight loss products and even more weight loss programs that are not overseen by a physician. Many claim to help you lose weight fast without having to exercise or diet, while others advocate a restrictive food plan. These program are often ineffective and some can be dangerous. If you are overweight or at risk for weight related health problems, talk to your doctor about a physician's plan for weight loss; as they are often safer and more effective.
Obesity
Being overweight or obese can contribute to chronic back and joint pain, and it increases your risk of many chronic health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, some forms of cancer, liver and gallbladder disease, breathing difficulty and sleep apnea, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. You are considered overweight if you have a body mass index, or BMI, of 25 or higher; obese if your BMI is 30 or higher and morbidly obese when your BMI climbs to 40 or more. Losing just 5 to 10 percent of your weight can start to reduce your risk of disease, however it is important to find a safe plan that encourages a lifetime of healthy behaviors so that the weight stays off.
Physician Weight Loss Plans
No matter what plan your are following the bottom line in weight loss is that you must take in fewer calories then you burn off. However, cutting back on calories must be combined with eating a well-balanced diet to prevent nutritional deficiencies. If you only have a small amount of weight to lose, making lower calorie food choices and adding regular exercise may be enough.
Physician-based weight loss programs are designed for those who are at a high risk of weight related health problems. The Weight-control Information Network suggests looking into a physician's weight loss plan if your BMI is 30 or higher or your BMI is 27 or more and you have health concerns. Medical weight loss programs are usually highly structured and include counseling to help establish lifelong healthy behaviors.
Safety
A physician's weight loss plan may restrict calorie intake to 800 or fewer per day and there may be a period where only specially designed shakes are consumed. These diets can be safe if followed short term and if they are supervised by a health care provider, reports Cleveland Clinic. They are not for pregnant women, children, the elderly or those with certain underlying medical conditions. Physician weight loss programs are designed to promote weight loss of approximately 44 lb. over 12 weeks, nearly double the two lb per week recommended for safe weight loss.
Side Effects
While serious side effects are rare, physician weight loss programs that severely restrict calorie intake may cause some side effects. The first few weeks of the program can be challenging and may lead to fatigue, constipation, nausea or diarrhea, which often resolves as you adapt to the program. For some patients rapid weight loss can trigger a rise in cholesterol levels in the gallbladder, which decreases the gallbladder's ability to contract and expel bile, and this can lead to gallstones, notes the Weight-control Information Network. There are medications that can lower the risk of this complication but do not take them unless your physician prescribes them..
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