The rise of medical weight loss programs has provided a structured and safe alternative to random diets or “hacks” for losing weight. However, with a surplus of options available, it’s tough choosing a program that fits your goals. Here’s what to consider when selecting a medical weight loss program.
What should I look for in a medical weight loss program?
The search for a good medical weight loss program can be daunting: there are countless online options, fad diets, and “weight loss gurus” out there that all promise amazing results. However, someone who is serious about losing a significant amount of weight the right way should be seeking out a weight loss program with medical supervision. Let’s take a look at the most important qualities and features that you should be hunting for in a medical weight loss program.
1. Evidence-based, Physician-led program
The primary difference between a medical weight loss program and standard diets is rigorous medical oversight. Look for a program that includes thorough medical supervision from licensed professionals, including doctors, dietitians, and possibly endocrinologists or bariatric specialists. Your health should be regularly monitored through lab tests, check-ins, and evaluations to ensure that the program is safe and tailored to your specific needs.
A good medical weight loss program uses scientifically proven strategies. Many fad diets and quick fixes promise rapid weight loss but aren’t based on credible, peer-reviewed research. Look for programs that follow evidence-based practices, such as balanced, calorie-controlled diets, behavior modification, and sustainable exercise routines. The program should be founded on research-backed methods for long-term weight management.
2. Personalized, Flexible Programs
Weight loss is not a one-size-fits-all process, and your medical weight loss program shouldn’t be either. A good medical weight loss program should assess your unique health needs and medical history, current medications, hormone levels, and other highly individual factors that can influence weight.
Personalized plans should include a combination of exercise & nutritional guidance and medications if necessary to aid in your journey.
You’ll also want to look for a program that is flexible enough to adapt to any changes that life may bring. Whether you hit a plateau or experience challenges, the program should be able to adjust your treatment plan accordingly. Flexibility ensures that the program remains effective and sustainable over time, helping you overcome setbacks and stay motivated.
3. Nutrition & Exercise Behavioral Skill-Building
Successful weight loss usually also requires addressing certain behavioral and psychological aspects of eating. Learning how to develop a healthy relationship with food and understanding emotional triggers is key to maintaining weight loss long-term. Education on meal planning, mindfulness, and lifestyle changes is essential for sustainable results.
At Blue Sky MD, we focus on helping patients build foundational skills that they can learn and apply on their own well after they hit their weight goals. While many of our patients remain in the program for months or years after they’ve reached their target weight for continual motivation, support, and guidance, our ultimate goal is to give each patients the tools and skills they need to continue healthy habits and remain at a healthy weight for their entire lives.
4. Hormone Analysis & Hormone Replacement Therapy Options
Hormones are an often overlooked aspect of the weight loss equation. We encounter many patients who’ve struggled to lose weight their entire lives due to an undiagnosed and untreated hormone issue.
We offer advanced hormone lab testing to look “under the hood” at each patient’s hormone levels to see if there’s a thyroid issue like hypothyroidism that might be making it difficult to lose weight. If we uncover a hormone imbalance, we offer a renowned hormone replacement therapy to help correct imbalances and help optimize your health.
In our opinion, no medical weight loss program is complete without hormone testing to make sure hormones aren’t holding a patient back from seeing results.
5. Customizable weight loss medication dosage
Some medical weight loss programs like ours can offer prescription medications or supplements to aid in weight loss—you’ve likely heard of name-brand weight loss drugs like Ozempic and WeGovy. If a medical weight loss program includes weight loss medications, it’s important to make sure that these are FDA-approved and administered by a licensed healthcare provider.
We are able to offer personalized dosages of GLP-1 weight medications for qualified patients that can help curb hunger cravings and make the weight loss process much easier. Unlike many other medical weight loss programs, however, we aim for the “lowest effective dose” of these GLP-1/semaglutide weight loss medications in order to avoid any negative side effects and maximize efficacy.
6. Focus on Long-Term Results
A good medical weight loss program should emphasize long-term success rather than quick fixes. While seeing the number on a scale go down quickly can be exciting, it is important that any progress is sustainable—many people who’ve dieted before see good results at first, only to “crash” and return to old habits.
Beware of programs that only offer short-term solutions or focus solely on drastic calorie restrictions or extreme exercise routines. The goal should always be to create sustainable habits and lifestyle changes that you can maintain well beyond the program’s end.
At Blue Sky MD, we offer options for long-term support, including follow-up visits, maintenance plans, and ongoing coaching. Many of our patients stay with us for coaching support long after reaching their target weight.
7. Set Realistic Expectations
Programs that promise dramatic results in a short time should be approached with caution. Weight loss should be gradual and sustainable, usually around 1-2 pounds per week, or about 4% body weight per month.
Programs that set realistic expectations tend to focus on healthy lifestyle changes rather than extreme or unsafe methods. They should also educate you about the natural plateaus that may occur and help manage those moments without resorting to drastic measures.
8. Client Success Stories and Reviews
As with any long-term investment, do your research! Explore client testimonials and reviews. Success stories from real people who have gone through the program will provide insight into its effectiveness and what you might expect. Look for consistent feedback on the level of support, professionalism, and long-term results.
Choose a Medical Weight Loss Program Like Blue Sky MD
Whether you’re looking to lose twenty pounds or a hundred, a medical weight loss program is the best choice for someone looking to lose weight sustainably. Remember—look for features like medical supervision, personalization, long-term focus, and evidence-based practices. A medical weight loss program like Blue Sky MD will always be safer, more effective, and better suited to your unique health needs than a crash diet. An remember, sustainable weight loss is a marathon, not a sprint, so choose a program that supports long-term success.
Since 2008, we’ve helped thousands of patients across North Carolina lose weight and keep it off for good. If you’re interested in learning more about our medical weight loss program, feel free to contact us with any questions, or take our free online health assessment to find out if our programs fit your goals.
MEDICAL WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAMS FAQS
In most cases, yes—medical weight loss is covered by insurance. Contact us to find out if we can utilize your insurance.
It depends. In most cases, we’re able to utilize insurance for many patients. If you don’t have insurance we also offer affordable self-pay options.
We believe that the best medical weight loss plan is one that includes the following:
- Flexible, personalized nutrition and exercise programs
- Physician and nutritionist supervision
- Hormone lab analysis & hormone therapy treatment options
- Focuses on long-term results rather than quick fixes
- Teaches lifelong skills & habits
- Sets reasonable expectations
- Can be adjusted for changes in lifestyle & preferences
