Weight Loss Program

 

With two convenient locations in Lexington and Georgetown our Advanced Skin & Vein Care Centers can help you achieve your health and beauty goals. Stop by one of our locations where our clinic staff and physicians are dedicated to helping people lose weight. A physician supervised medical weight loss program is the safest and wisest way to lose weight and maintain the loss. With nutritional products and strategies available only to medical doctors, results that no commercial program can match are obtained. As you begin to lose weight, not only will you feel better about your appearance, you will be on the road to better health!

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Approximately 70% of American adults have obesity or overweight. Having obesity or overweight is a serious health issue associated with some leading causes of death, including heart disease, stroke and diabetes, and is linked to an increased risk of certain types of cancer. Losing 5% to 10% of body weight through diet and exercise has been associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease in adult patients with obesity or overweight.

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Weight Gain Factor #1: Bad Food Selections

The Quantity-Quality Rule:

One of the shortcomings of most commercial or "magazine" diet plans is they focus primarily on the quantity of certain food groups we consume. This is an important factor to monitor but unfortunately, even if you were to dramatically reduce the quantity of food you take in, if the quality is poor (processed foods or foods laced with insecticides and steroids) it will disrupt your hormonal balance (e.g. insulin & estrogen) resulting in unwanted fat/weight gain.

Fast Food Equals Fast Weight Gain:

They make it taste great. There's a particular chemistry of cheese, meat and bread that creates significant pleasure response on the brain. The sad trade-off is that a single fast food meal with fries and a soda can surpass the number of calories needed for the entire day.

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Weight Gain Factor #2: Increased Stress Levels

Likely you’re aware of the many health complications such as high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease that can result from prolonged levels of stress.

One of the b-products of our stress is a chemical called cortisol, which is secreted by our adrenal glands and is a contributing factor to why we pack on the pounds! In brief, cortisol causes us to gain weight by activating our fat cells to go into survival mode and store fat.

Cortisol causes that stubborn “belly fat” to become even more resistant to our weight loss efforts. Making lifestyle changes that will reduce the stress you live with will affect cortisol levels and enhance weight loss programs.

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Weight Gain Factor #3: Lack of Sleep

Our brain releases certain hormones that help our body repair. One such hormone is called human growth hormone (HGH). Among many things, HGH is responsible for tissue repair and growth (it increases our muscle and bone mass). It also helps decrease body fat, particularly around the abdominal area.

Insufficient sleep lowers HGH levels, preventing their beneficial impact in reducing body fat.

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Weight Gain Factor #4: Low Basal Metabolic Rate

When you hear someone say they have a slow metabolism, they are actually referring to their Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR). By definition, your BMR is the number of calories your body burns per day when at rest.

A slow BMR then would result in your body storing fuel as fat, whereas a fast BMR will burn this fuel (or fat) and create energy. Several factors can influence your BMR, ranging from exercise to hormones (the major ones being the thyroid hormones).

So, one way you can increase a slow BMR is through exercise. Another way is by evaluating your thyroid levels, and if they are low, balance them naturally or with medication.

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Weight Gain Factor #5: Hormone Disturbances

Hormones stimulate, regulate and control thousands of functions in our body, weight management being one of them. Once the delicate balance between them is disturbed (as in the case of menopause), weight gain often ensues.

For instance, research has proved that low thyroid function and subsequent decreased thyroid hormone levels slows your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR), causing you to gain weight and resist weight loss.

Another example we also pointed out earlier is that stress and increased cortisol levels (your stress hormone) have been shown to not only cause increased fat storage but also affect serotonin levels. This hormone, known as the "feel good hormone", is released by your brain and plays an important part in managing your weight by signaling when your stomach is full. Without it, your brain thinks your body is still hungry, causing you to eat more. Over time, this leads to weight gain.

Another hormone that is a culprit when out of balance is insulin. Released from the pancreas in response to changes in blood sugar levels, over time, a diet high in sugar and low in protein can disrupt your body’s ability to regulate blood sugar levels and cause the pancreas to release too much insulin, resulting in increased fat storage and subsequent decreased fat breakdown.

Other hormonal changes occur as we age. As men and women age, decreased hormone levels such as growth hormone, testosterone, and in women, estrogen and progesterone, lead to weight gain that is very difficult to shed.

The trick to real weight loss when a hormone imbalance is the cause is to minimize your “fat-storing” hormones and boost the levels of your "fat-burning" hormones.

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Weight Gain Factor #6: Genetics

Does obesity run in your family? If so, realize one thing: Just because you may have a genetic predisposition to BEING Overweight doesn’t mean you have to BE overweight.

You may be genetically resistant to Leptin, a hormone that controls appetite and fat storage, or you could inherit a susceptibility to medical conditions that can lead to obesity.

More than likely you’ve just inherited some bad lifestyle habits (like a high-carbohydrate diet and lack of exercise). And that’s good news since you can change your habits, not your genes!

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Weight Gain Factor #7: Not Enough or the Wrong Type of Exercise

Are you tired of not getting the results you want with your exercise program? Well the problem might not be you, but actually your exercise program.

Without a doubt, regular exercise is important in any weight loss program. In fact, it’s almost impossible to lose weight or even maintain your current weight (not to mention current health in general) without physical activity.

As far as duration is concerned, although any amount of activity is better than none, it’s best to start slow and work up to 30-60 minutes of activity a day (at least 3 days per week dedicated to cardiovascular work), at increasing levels of intensity. Dr. Sedgh has found that this strategy mobilizes fat better than other workout strategies!

With regards to which type of exercise is best, the key is creating a program that’s right for your body type.

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Weight Gain Factor #8: Lack of Proper Monitoring of Your Weight Loss and Exercise Programs

Neglecting to track and monitor daily food intake is one of the main reasons most people cannot lose weight and keep it off, no matter what program they follow?

This fact was proved in a landmark research study carried out by Kaiser Permanente.

In this year-long study on weight loss, 2,037 overweight people were enrolled in a weight loss program. They were advised to eat just 500 fewer calories a day and exercise for 30 minutes.

However, some of the volunteers were also given instructions to count calories, either once a week, 2-3 days a week, 3-4 days a week, or 5 days a week, while another group of volunteers were not instructed to keep track of their food intake at all.

At the end of the program, which consisted of a full year of dieting and exercising, the people who didn’t monitor their daily caloric intake at all actually weighed more than they had at the beginning of the study!

As far as the other groups are concerned, those who monitored their calorie consumption only one day a week neither gained weight nor lost weight! Meanwhile, those who counted calories three to four days a week lost, on average, about ten pounds!

Those who counted calories five or more days a week fared the best, dropping an average of 23 pounds.

Pretty amazing! Just imagine if they would have been told to monitor their exercise program as well!

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Weight Gain Factor #9: Failure to Stay Involved in the Progress of Your Program

The success of your weight loss program will depend heavily on your active involvement. Dr. Sedgh can supply the start up tools such as medication, hormone balancing if required and a dietary program along with recommended exercise. He can also assist you with your goals by participating in your progress.

By forming a partnership with accountable monitoring, ongoing adjustments to your program and good old fashioned emotional support, it is possible for you to realize a healthier, slimmer body. But this requires your commitment to follow through with your scheduled appointments, your calorie tracking and food selection and taking better care of yourself in all areas of your life.

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Your Weight Loss Program Begins with:

• A comprehensive examination (including family history)

• Thyroid testing to rule out weight gain caused by hypothyroidism

• Lab work up including Chemistry, Liver and Kidney function tests, Lipid Profile, and complete blood count.

• BMI analysis. Body Mass Index indicates percentage of body fat.

  • We use digital analysis device to determine the body fat loss goals. Body composition analyzer/scales provide detailed body composition analysis – weight, impedance, body fat %, body mass index, fat mass and fat-free mass.

  • For a very basic online BMI calculator, click here

• A current analysis of your present dietary and exercise habits

• Weight goals and timeline

• Diet plan and exercise program

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Medical Obesity Treatment Options

Currently there are 10 FDA-approved anti-obesity medications in the US: phentermine, diethylpropion, benzphetamine, phendimetrazine, orlistat, phentermine/topiramate ER (Qsymia), bupropion/naltrexone (Contrave), liraglutide (Saxenda), setmelanotide (Imcivree), and now semaglutide (Wegovy).

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U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Wegovy (semaglutide) injection (2.4 mg once weekly) for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight with at least one weight-related condition (such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol), for use in addition to a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity. This under-the-skin injection is the first approved drug for chronic weight management in adults with general obesity or overweight since 2014. The drug is indicated for chronic weight management in patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 27 kg/m2 or greater who have at least one weight-related ailment or in patients with a BMI of 30 kg/m2 or greater. 

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Wegovy works by mimicking a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) that targets areas of the brain that regulate appetite and food intake. The medication dose must be increased gradually over 16 to 20 weeks to 2.4 mg once weekly to reduce gastrointestinal side effects.

Wegovy should not be used in combination with other semaglutide-containing products, other GLP-1 receptor agonists, or other products intended for weight loss, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, or herbal products. Wegovy has not been studied in patients with a history of pancreatitis.

Wegovy’s safety and efficacy were studied in four 68-week trials. Three were randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials (including 16 weeks of dose increases) and one was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized withdrawal trial in which patients receiving Wegovy either continued with the treatment or switched to a placebo. More than 2,600 patients received Wegovy for up to 68 weeks in these four studies and more than 1,500 patients received placebo.

The largest placebo-controlled trial enrolled adults without diabetes. The average age at the start of the trial was 46 years and 74% of patients were female. The average body weight was 231 pounds (105 kg) and average BMI was 38 kg/m2. Individuals who received Wegovy lost an average of 12.4% of their initial body weight compared to individuals who received placebo. Another trial enrolled adults with type 2 diabetes. The average age was 55 years and 51% were female. The average body weight was 220 pounds (100 kg) and average BMI was 36 kg/m2. In this trial, individuals who received Wegovy lost 6.2% of their initial body weight compared to those who received placebo. 

The most common side effects of Wegovy include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal (stomach) pain, headache, fatigue, dyspepsia (indigestion), dizziness, abdominal distension, eructation (belching), hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) in patients with type 2 diabetes, flatulence (gas buildup), gastroenteritis (an intestinal infection) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (a type of digestive disorder).  

The prescribing information for Wegovy contains a boxed warning to inform healthcare professionals and patients about the potential risk of thyroid C-cell tumors. Wegovy should not be used in patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or in patients with a rare condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).  

Wegovy should not be used in patients with a history of severe allergic reactions to semaglutide or any of the other components of Wegovy. Patients should stop Wegovy immediately and seek medical help if a severe allergic reaction is suspected. Wegovy also contains warnings for inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), gallbladder problems (including gallstones), low blood sugar, acute kidney injury, diabetic retinopathy (damage to the eye's retina), increased heart rate and suicidal behavior or thinking. Patients should discuss with their healthcare professional if they have symptoms of pancreatitis or gallstones. If Wegovy is used with insulin or a substance that causes insulin secretion, patients should speak to their health care provider about potentially lowering the dose of insulin or the insulin-inducing drug to reduce the risk of low blood sugar. Healthcare providers should monitor patients with kidney disease, diabetic retinopathy and depression or suicidal behaviors or thoughts.

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Compounding Weight Loss Products we offer:

7Keto DHEA

Lipo Mino: pyridoxine (B6) ,methionine, inositol, choline, B12 Cyanocobalamin, carnitine, thiamine B1, riboflavin

Lipo Trim: Acetyl Carnitine, Methyl B12, Leucine, Arginine, Inositol, Choline, Methionine, Betaine, B1, Folic acid

Lipo Plus: pyridoxine (B6), methionine, inositol, choline, carnitine, thiamine B1, riboflavin B2, Methyl B12

Lipo Stat Plus: methionine, inositol, choline, B6, Cyanocobalamin.

Naltrexone, Sermorelin, Lipo-Trim SL Spray