Biggest Cost of a Bad Weight Loss Plan Is Your Health

The ultimate cost of bad weight loss is your health and well-being, so it is crucial to drop pounds gradually. Medical weight loss focuses on helping overweight and obese people lose weight while learning strategies for maintaining weight control. There is solid science backing medical weight loss but what have been missing are published clinical research studies that show which programs work. Unfortunately, most studies do not identify a particular plan and rely upon testimonials from clients to demonstrate how well the program works. If you are interested in being a member of a weight loss center, check out their programs online and take a few minutes to read about past Success Stories to ensure you've found a safe, effective way to achieve your goals.

Nutritional Deficiencies Occur Due to Less Food Absorbed

As your body weight continues to increase, your longevity decreases. Moreover, there is no truth to the myth that your chance of dying from metabolic surgery is greater than your chance of dying from obesity. Nonetheless, most people who have metabolic and bariatric surgery only regain about 50 percent of the lost weight in subsequent years following their surgery, which is the arbitrary definition of successful weight loss. Restrictive surgery is an important component of nearly all weight loss surgeries. The stomach may be banded, stapled or have a balloon inflated inside the stomach pouch to allow for less food intake and less food absorption. Following metabolic surgery, the reduction in absorption of nutrients also can lead to certain deficiencies in vitamin, minerals and protein.

Prescription Obesity Medications Are Not Miracle Pills

Anyone who needs to lose weight should try lifestyle changes and dietary modifications before they start taking weight loss drugs. However, doctors know that lifestyle changes are generally very hard to make and are unlikely to refuse medications for obese patients who are struggling to lose weight. Unlike medications, dietary supplements do not require pre-launch review or approval by the FDA. Supplement manufacturers are responsible for determining that the products are safe and that label claims are truthful. The FDA (or Federal Trade Commission) can take regulatory actions against manufacturers that make unsubstantiated claims. Research published in the Journal of Public Policy & Marketing concluded that overweight people using diet pills often hurt weight loss by continuing to eat too much unhealthy food once they think they are taking a miracle pill.

Experts Say Weight Loss Industry May Need a Major Facelift

Many researchers believe the weight loss industry needs a major facelift, as the golden rule of "eat less and exercise more" does not provide the guidance that most dieters need to be successful. Physician monitored programs have become popular with some people who need a structured weight loss program. However, many overweight individuals are not ready to make the supportive lifestyle changes and do not stick with the plan long enough to shed pounds. People who are accustomed to consuming a typical American diet at home and work often find it beneficial to meet regularly with a weight loss specialists, so they can make minor adjustments that make sticking to the program much easier. The total number of calories allowed depends on the individual's weight loss goals.