Weight loss solutions have rapidly evolved over the years, providing more people to lose weight beyond diet and exercise. Medical weight loss has become hugely popular for leveling the weight loss playing field through medications or surgery. In 2023, weight loss drugs increased spending on prescription medication in the United States by 13.5%. Surgical procedures are also helpful for those with more extreme cases of obesity, drastically changing how they eat throughout their lives. Here are ten effective medical weight loss solutions:
10 – Semaglutide
Semaglutide medications, such as Wegovy, are once-weekly injections. It’s a glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1) agonist, which means it mimics the GLP-1 hormone in the body and slows stomach emptying. You’ll feel fuller for longer, control your blood sugar, and reduce food thoughts and cravings. While these medications help reduce food and calorie intake to lead to effective weight loss, they’re best paired with a GLP-1 program for a tailored plan. The program helps you reach daily nutrition, fitness, and hydration targets to boost wellness and minimize side effects. It also helps ensure patients get sufficient nutrition and muscle retention despite decreased intake. Pairing semaglutides with lifestyle changes enables even more effective weight loss.
09 – Tirzepatide
Tirzepatide medications function similarly to semaglutide drugs by controlling the appetite by mimicking the GLP-1 hormone. However, it also simulates a second hormone called gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP). These hormones help stimulate the release of insulin to control blood sugar levels. It also suppresses the appetite and encourages weight loss. Tirzepatide drugs like Mounjaro and Zepbound—the latter of which is approved for weight loss—have been found to be more effective than semalgutide drugs, though both produce similar impacts and are injected weekly. Like with semaglutide, they are also better used alongside proper lifestyle and health habits.
08 – Liraglutide
Liraglutide is another GLP-1 receptor agonist like semglutide, often sold under the name Saxenda. Liraglutide was one of the first medications in this class to gain approval for chronic weight management. The two drugs work similarly to simulate fullness and suppress appetite to aid in weight loss, particularly for those with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher or a BMI of at least 27 with a weight-related health condition.
07 – Orlistat
Orlistat, commonly sold under Xenical or Alli, is a capsule that blocks the absorption of fat to encourage weight loss. It inhibits lipase, an enzyme found in the digestion tract that is responsible for breaking down fat. The fat that isn’t broken down due to the drug is passed through the body. Patients take the capsule before, during, or up to one hour after every meal containing fat. A restricted-calorie diet and regular physical activity can help patients lose 5% or more of their body weight in a year.
06 – Naltrexone-bupropion
Naltrexone-bupropion combines two medications to aid in weight loss and preventing weight gain by influencing separate parts of the brain. Naltrexone is an opioid agonist, while bupropion is an antidepressant. The combination targets the hunger center and the reward system in the brain. Patients consume the drugs in tablet form—often sold under Contrave—to aid in controlling appetite and reducing cravings to limit food intake and facilitate weight loss.
05 – Phentermine-topiramate
Like naltrexone-bupropion, phentermine-topiramate also combines two medications to aid in weight loss. Phentermine is a stimulant used to reduce appetite, while topiramate is an anticonvulsant, often used to manage seizures and epilepsy. The combination of the two is available in a once-daily extended-release medication approved for weight loss, and it works by suppressing appetite and keeping you feeling full for longer. It’s also been found to reduce blood pressure, mitigating the impact of some weight-related health conditions. It is commonly sold under the brand name Qsymia.
04 – Intragastric balloon
An intragastric balloon system helps patients with obesity lose weight by temporarily installing a soft silicone balloon into the stomach. The deflated balloon is placed using an endoscope inserted through the mouth and into the stomach. It is then filled with saline solution, taking up space to encourage the reduction of food and drink since patients feel fuller faster. This minimally invasive procedure helps patients who struggle with weight loss due to an expanded stomach.
03 – Sleeve gastrectomy
A sleeve gastrectomy is a laparoscopic bariatric surgical procedure that removes part of the stomach. The procedure removes around 80% of the stomach, leaving a smaller tube shape. Reducing the stomach size helps limit intake to encourage weight loss, and it can also prompt hormonal changes to assist in shedding pounds and mitigating weight-related health conditions. This surgery is typically available for those with a BMI of 40 or higher, or 35 to 39.9, with a serious weight-related health problem.
02 – Roux-en-Y gastric bypass
The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery creates a small pouch from the upper part of the stomach and routes it directly to the part of the small intestine called the Roux limb. The food you eat then bypasses the rest of the stomach and the upper part of your small intestine, reducing the amount of fat and calories absorbed by what you consume. The new, smaller stomach pouch also limits food intake to boost satiety and weight loss. Like the sleeve gastrectomy, it is a laparoscopic procedure.
01 – Gastric band surgery
Gastric band surgery involves wrapping a silicone band around part of the stomach. The band creates a small pouch in the upper stomach where food enters. The small size encourages patients to feel fuller faster, so they consume less food and lose weight. Unlike other bariatric surgeries, the band is adjustable and can be tightened or loosened depending on the patient’s needs. People can lose 15% of their total body weight within a few years of the procedure.
While medical weight loss can be effective and life-changing for those struggling to lose weight, it won’t replace the need for healthy habits. These solutions are best paired with a balanced diet and workouts like aerobics, swimming, running, and more. By following a healthy lifestyle patients can keep the weight off more effectively.