Medical Weight Management
Medically reviewed by [Clinician name, credentials] on [date]
Your weight is shaped by much more than willpower. Medicines, sleep, stress, genes, hormones, age, and where you live all play a part. If you've tried to lose weight and it hasn't stuck, you're not failing. A plan built with a clinician can help.
This page is for general education. It isn't a diagnosis and doesn't replace a visit with a clinician.
What are overweight and obesity?
Clinicians often use body mass index (BMI) as a starting point. BMI compares your weight to your height. According to the NIH's National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK):
- A BMI from 25 to under 30 is considered overweight
- A BMI of 30 or higher is considered obesity
BMI is only a screening tool. Your clinician will look at your whole health, not just one number.
NIDDK calls obesity a chronic disease. It affects more than 4 in 10 U.S. adults. Extra weight can raise the risk of high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, and sleep apnea.
Common signs to talk about
Weight itself isn't a symptom, but these are good reasons to check in:
- Steady weight gain over months or years
- Weight-related health problems, like high blood pressure, prediabetes, or type 2 diabetes
- Joint pain, snoring, or feeling tired during the day
- Weight changes after starting a new medicine
- Trouble keeping weight off after losing it
When telehealth works — and when you need in-person care
Telehealth often works well for:
- Setting goals and building a plan that fits your life
- Reviewing your medicines for ones that may cause weight gain
- Regular check-ins to keep you on track
- Talking through whether a weight management medicine might be right for you
You may need in-person care for:
- Lab work, like blood sugar (A1C) and cholesterol [CONFIRM: lab partners]
- Accurate weight, blood pressure, and waist measurements if you can't measure at home
- A referral to a dietitian, sleep study, or weight-loss (bariatric) surgery evaluation
How Oceanside Health can help
- Realistic goals. The CDC says people who lose about 1 to 2 pounds a week are more likely to keep it off. Even a 5% loss (10 pounds for a 200-pound person) can improve blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar.
- A plan for eating, activity, sleep, and stress. The CDC suggests starting with two or three specific goals, like a 15-minute walk three days a week.
- A careful look at medicine. NIDDK says weight management medicines may be an option for adults with a BMI of 30 or higher, or 27 or higher with a weight-related problem like high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes. They work best alongside healthy eating and activity, not instead of them. [CONFIRM: whether Oceanside prescribes weight management medicines, and which]
- Safety first. We'll review your health history, other medicines, and side effects before any prescription.
- Follow-up and monitoring, including connected scales or blood pressure cuffs if they're part of your plan. [CONFIRM: remote monitoring program details]
- Connected care for related conditions, like high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and sleep problems.
We see patients by video across Brevard County, including Viera, Melbourne, and Palm Bay.
Call 911 or go to the ER if…
Weight management is not usually urgent, but get emergency help if you have:
- Chest pain or pressure, or pain spreading to the arm, back, neck, or jaw, with shortness of breath, cold sweat, or nausea (possible heart attack)
- Face drooping, arm weakness, or speech trouble (possible stroke)
- Trouble breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, or throat after a new medicine (possible severe allergic reaction)
- Severe belly pain that won't go away, especially with vomiting
- Very low blood sugar if you take diabetes medicine and you can't treat it yourself, or someone passes out
If you have thoughts of harming yourself, call or text 988 (the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), available 24/7, or call 911. NIDDK notes that people taking certain weight-loss medicines have reported suicidal thoughts.
Frequently asked questions
How fast should I lose weight?
The CDC says a steady pace of about 1 to 2 pounds a week makes it more likely you'll keep the weight off. Crash goals, like 20 pounds in 2 weeks, often backfire.
Are weight loss medicines right for me?
Maybe. They aren't for everyone with a high BMI. NIDDK says the choice depends on likely benefits, side effects, your other health issues and medicines, family history, and cost. Never take them during pregnancy or if you're planning a pregnancy.
Will I regain weight if I stop the medicine?
NIDDK says you'll probably regain some weight after stopping. Keeping up healthy eating and activity habits may help you regain less.
Is it safe to buy weight loss medicine online?
Only buy from a pharmacy or online distributor your clinician approves. Don't combine weight loss products unless a clinician prescribes them together.
How much activity do I need?
Federal guidelines, as cited by NIDDK, recommend at least 150 minutes a week of moderate activity, like brisk walking, plus muscle-strengthening on 2 days. Some people need more to reach or keep a weight-loss goal. Start where you are and build up.
Book a visit
Ready for a plan that fits your real life? Book a visit or call 321-878-8195. Please don't send health details through this website or by email. We'll go over everything privately during your visit.
If you think you're having an emergency, call 911.
Sources
- CDC. Steps for Losing Weight. https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-weight-growth/losing-weight/index.html
- NIDDK (NIH). Treatment for Overweight & Obesity. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/weight-management/adult-overweight-obesity/treatment
- NIDDK (NIH). Prescription Medications to Treat Overweight & Obesity. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/weight-management/prescription-medications-treat-overweight-obesity
- American Heart Association. Warning Signs of a Heart Attack. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/warning-signs-of-a-heart-attack
- American Stroke Association. Stroke Symptoms. https://www.stroke.org/en/about-stroke/stroke-symptoms
- MedlinePlus (NIH). Anaphylaxis. https://medlineplus.gov/anaphylaxis.html
- American Diabetes Association. Low Blood Glucose (Hypoglycemia). https://diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/treatment-care/hypoglycemia-low-blood-glucose
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. https://988lifeline.org/
Medically reviewed by [Clinician name, credentials] on [date]. Next review due: [date + 12 months].