Non-surgical options to treat high BMI and obesity
Bariatric surgery is not the only path for our overweight patients—far from it! Many individuals come to Tailor Clinics seeking non-invasive solutions, and we have options for them too. Combining medication and lifestyle education is a fantastic way to kick-start and maintain significant weight loss.
Addressing Class I and II obesity with medication
There are prescription medications available which, along with our nutritional, exercise and psychological program, can kickstart weight loss in patients seeking help to lower their BMI and prevent living with obesity.
We work with two medications (Saxenda® and Contrave®) which work in two different ways to support weight loss in our patients. Losing weight and keeping it off can be extremely hard; eating less and moving more is not the full story. Weight loss can cause hormone changes that increase your appetite and mean that your body works against you.
Both of the medications we offer to assist with weight loss work by altering gut hormones and/or brain chemicals to take away brain and gut ‘noise’. They are tools to help you make better decisions in regards to food choice and behaviour as you address obesity and BMI struggles.
Saxenda® is a GLP-1 medication, similar to a naturally occurring hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1. Like the natural hormone, it helps to make you feel full and control your appetite. Contrave® works in combination with the hunger and reward system, helping with the neurochemical effects and subsequent regulation of appetite. Both have been proven effective in the treatment of obesity.
Medication and lifestyle: a two-pronged approach to lower BMI
Our non-surgical/medical approach for people living with excess weight or obesity includes comprehensive nutritional and lifestyle assessments by members of our nutrition, medical, exercise, and behavioural health teams.
Medication works best when complemented by lifestyle changes: learning about nutrition and exercise and changing your mindset is a crucial part of the process. Our program for non-surgical patients includes ongoing consultations with the bariatric nurse practitioner at standard time frames set out in the process.
Your sessions will include education and advice around:
Diet/weight history and habits around eating.
Overall goals, successful habits, and maintenance of weight loss.
Specific challenges regarding lifestyle changes.
Non-hunger related eating, accountability, and motivation.
Mind frame: how the mind works and supportive connection with this.
Identifying self-defeating behaviours.
The role of physical activity.
Education and information about Saxenda® (liraglutide) and the Saxendacare® program (including available resources), for those using this medication.
Education and information about Contrave® (naltrexone HCl/buproprion HCl) and the Push On® support program (including available resources), for those using this medication.
High BMI and obesity issues are not simple to tackle–taking the first step and contacting Tailor Clinics is commendable. For those who choose a non-surgical approach, we combine medication and lifestyle programs for the best possible chance of success.