Many people struggle for several years to lose their excess weight. They might have strong feelings of hunger that prevent them from sticking to a low-calorie diet. Fortunately, we offer several medications that can help at Simply Slim Medical in Bethesda, MD. Topiramate is a great option for anyone who gets cravings for sugar, carbs, or salt. Let’s examine how fast it works and what other lifestyle changes are necessary.
It’s hard to tell exactly how fast you’ll see results after starting to take this weight-loss drug. It depends on your unique body composition, whether you’re sticking to a healthy diet and exercise routine, and how your metabolism works. Some people notice the first changes after less than a month, while others need to wait for three or four months to see a big drop in their weight.
This drug is part of a group called anticonvulsants, and it works by reducing your appetite and causing feelings of fullness. There are several forms of the medication, but patients typically take extended-release capsules in the morning before having breakfast. The active ingredient then works to reduce their food cravings throughout the day and prevents them from eating large amounts of sugary or fatty foods.
Sometimes, we administer this drug right away, but at other times, we prescribe it when Phentermine alone or the Phentermine-Serotonin combination no longer produces the desired results for patients. We might start by advising people to take this medication for three or four months. Then, we’ll ask them to come to the clinic for a follow-up consultation.
We sometimes change the dose or stop the drug entirely if the patient is getting close to their goal. However, many people take weight loss drugs for six months or more. Losing a lot of weight is a long process, and it might take a year or two for patients who were obese to achieve a healthy BMI.
Weight loss isn’t linear, so you might not lose the same amount each week. When you first change your lifestyle, you might see a significant drop, but then you might plateau for a while. In general, patients can expect to shed 1-2 pounds a week when following a normal weight loss program. This means that they lose up to 100 pounds per year. Medications slightly speed up the process, but they mainly make it easier for patients to stick to their healthy lifestyles.
If you’d like to see more rapid results, you could be a good candidate for our hCG protocol. This involves eating a very low-calorie diet for several weeks while getting daily hCG injections that prevent the loss of muscle mass. It’s much easier to lose weight this way, and many patients shed 1-2 pounds a day. However, more drastic lifestyle changes are necessary, so this diet isn’t suitable for everyone.
Before allowing you to take part in medical weight loss, we check that you’re a good candidate. You can only take part if your BMI is higher than 30 or if you have a medical condition that requires you to lose a lot of weight quickly. The most successful candidates are people who are determined to achieve their weight loss goals but are struggling due to sugar, salt, or carb cravings.
Weight loss drugs are only suitable for people who are in good general health and don’t suffer from serious diseases. We can’t prescribe them to you if you have a serious mental health issue, heart problems, osteoporosis, ongoing diarrhea, or any condition that affects your ability to breathe freely. If you’re pregnant, you can’t take the drug because the risk of birth defects is elevated.
Simply taking a weight loss drug isn’t enough. You also have to lead a healthy lifestyle that allows you to optimize your shape and lose excess fat. Start by improving your diet by cutting out excessive amounts of carbs and sugary foods and replacing them with healthier alternatives. If you’re not sure how to change your eating habits, speak to us. We can help you find a nutritionist or dietitian, who will keep you on track.
Exercise regularly to keep your muscles strong while you’re losing weight. Depending on your body shape and personal preferences, you might want to lift weights, participate in exercise classes at the gym, go for walks, swim, or cycle. There are countless options out there, so it’s easy to find something fun and beneficial. Don’t forget to reduce your stress levels. Stress changes your body’s hormonal balance and makes it harder for you to control your cravings.
Losing a lot of weight is extremely hard, and most patients suffer from frequent feelings of hunger. This makes the process difficult and unpleasant. Weight loss drugs like Topiramate can create a feeling of fullness, so patients can shed their extra pounds more easily. Give us a call at Simply Slim Medical in Bethesda, MD to book a consultation. We’ll be happy to evaluate your situation and help you find the best solution.
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