An effective medical weight loss program is a core component of preventive and curative health care against the increasing rates of diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension, among other chronic conditions.
A new global analysis has put the number of people already considered obese at over 1 billion adults and children worldwide. [1] The number presently stands at nearly 880 million adults and 159 million children.
Integration of medical weight management programs with plastic surgeons could be an assurance of long-lasting surgical results, optimal body weight, positive patient experience, and increased rates of satisfaction.
The best outcomes of surgeries like liposuction or abdominoplasty and body contouring could be achieved with an optimal body weight, eventually showing reduced complications.
This article provides insights into the benefits of incorporating a medical weight management program into plastic surgery practices.
Medical weight management programs are comprehensive, evidence-based strategies for adults to lose or maintain weight without surgery.
The programs focus on developing sustainable habits toward a healthy life by changing diet and lifestyle, physical activities, and, at times, prescribing some weight-loss medications. [2]
In such programs, health professionals monitor the holistic health outcomes and prevention or management of conditions associated with obesity. Such programs involve several components as follows:
While ancient conventional weight loss methods have primarily been cast aside with ordinary and unsustainable diets, medical weight management programs intake personalized and evidence-based solutions.
Monitored by medical professionals, these weight management programs make necessary changes in plans, if needed, to ensure safe and effective weight loss.
The characterization of the change is on a long-term lifestyle modification rather than just finding a quick fix, making the changes sustainable.
Plastic surgeons and healthcare providers continuously seek to enhance patient care and patient outcomes, enhance services, and achieve excellence in care. [3]
Adding a Medical Weight Management Program for plastic surgeons into a plastic surgery and aesthetics practice permits this to occur within the practice. The benefits include:
A medical weight management program for plastic surgeons allows them to optimize patients’ weight before surgery.
The skin elasticity and muscle tone of patients who achieve a healthier weight become much better, bringing a significant improvement to aesthetic results from liposuction, tummy tucks, and body contouring surgeries.
Patients with a healthy body weight generally experience fewer complications during and after surgery. Effective weight management can mitigate obesity-related risks such as wound infections, anesthesia complications, and prolonged recovery times. [4]
This ensures a smoother postoperative course and accelerates recovery, enabling patients to resume their normal activities sooner.
Patients feel that comprehensive care is provided in a good way. A medical weight management program allows one to live a healthier and more satisfying life with positive self-esteem.
When patients are satisfied, they come back for more services and refer others, which allows a long-term relationship to be built in a community of loyal patients.
Comprehensive care models that blend weight management with surgical options will put the view of the clinic in a better light, financially, over time.
Patients are likely to invest in ongoing weight management services, both before and after surgeries, which shall constitute sustained revenue over time.
The same programs help minimize postoperative complications. [5] Patients whose postoperative weight is under control rarely report delayed wound healing, infection, or thrombosis. [6]
This translates to minimal cases and, therefore, a shorter period for follow-up clinic visits and follow-up interventions, ensuring better resource use and patient care efficiency.
The first step in implementing an office-based medical weight management program is a comprehensive assessment of all that currently exists in terms of possible resources, as well as recognition of needs.
These include available resources, such as staff expertise, existing space, and the technological infrastructure that supports efficient clinical operations.
Knowing these elements will help determine the scope of the weight management program, ensuring it complements your current practice without overwhelming your resources.
Establishing clear, achievable goals is crucial for the success of the program. For example, what does the healthcare professional aim to achieve with the weight management program: better surgical outcomes, increased patient satisfaction, or additional revenue streams?
The setting of realistic expectations will guide the development and implementation of a program that will be in sync with your practice’s overall objectives.
A successful medical weight management program can benefit significantly from a collaborative approach involving various healthcare professionals.
Dietitians provide tailored nutritional guidance, psychologists support behavioral changes, and medical professionals oversee patients’ overall health and safety.
This team-based approach ensures comprehensive care, addressing all aspects of weight management, from diet to mental health.
Additionally, utilizing established programs with tried and tested diet plans, such as the Clean Start Weight Loss Keto/Intermittent Fasting program, can streamline the process and enhance patient compliance and customization.
Effective weight management often necessitates collaboration with primary care providers and specialists. These professionals can offer additional insights and support, ensuring patients receive well-rounded care.
Building strong relationships with these providers can enhance patient referrals and create a robust network of care, further enriching the weight management program.
Each patient’s weight loss journey is different, and their programs should be tailored to achieve the best results. Having programs tailored to individual needs requires consideration based on medical history, lifestyle, and personal goals.
Customized plans increase the likelihood of success and patient adherence as they address specific challenges and preferences.
Regular monitoring and adjustments are critical elements of an effective weight management program.
Continuous assessment of how the patient is doing allows modifications of the plan to be made promptly so they remain relevant and practical.
Learn how you can add a profitable medical weight management program to your practice with this free resource!
Pharmacotherapy is an essential component of medical weight management programs, offering an effective adjunct to lifestyle and behavioral modifications. Several FDA-approved medications are available to aid in weight loss, each with specific indications and mechanisms of action.
Some commonly prescribed weight loss medications include Orlistat (Alli, Xenical), which inhibits fat absorption, and Phentermine-Topiramate (Qsymia), which suppresses appetite. [7]
Liraglutide (Saxenda), Semaglutide (Wegovy) and Tirzepatide (Zepbound), all GLP-1 receptor agonists, help regulate appetite and induce feelings of fullness.
These drugs are prescribed based on individual patient needs, considering factors like BMI and the presence of weight-related conditions.
Proper medical oversight ensures that these medications are safe and effective, enhancing the overall success of the weight management program.
The Clean Start Weight Loss Program, offered by the International Association for Physicians in Aesthetic Medicine (IAPAM), is a comprehensive weight management solution designed specifically for healthcare providers.
This program provides a structured approach to weight loss, incorporating nutritional education, behavioral counseling, and medical oversight to ensure safe and effective results.
Plastic surgeons and practitioners considering integrating a medical weight loss program into their practice will have many questions about weight loss options.
The primary concerns and resolutions are highlighted here to help ensure a smooth and practical integration process.
A primary concern is the time and cost required to establish a medical weight management plan. However, the long-term benefits far outweigh the initial investment. Implementing this program enhances patient outcomes, improves surgical results, and generates additional revenue streams.
To handle this, it is essential to adopt effective implementation strategies. Begin with the gradual introduction of the implementation in phases, where different components of your program are introduced systematically.
This allows time for the practice to adjust and not be overwhelmed, with less impact on staff and the services currently in place.
The time and money invested return with improved patient outcomes and through new revenues generated by your program.
Better patient satisfaction with retention and improvement would lead to more referrals, culminating in the growth and profitability of your practice.
Another common concern is ensuring staff members are adequately trained to support the new weight management services.
Comprehensive training programs tailored to the needs of healthcare professionals include nutritional counseling, behavioral modification techniques, and medical weight loss interventions.
Recent research underscores the significant advantages of integrating medical weight management programs into plastic surgery practices.
Research comparing adults assigned randomly to a commercial weight management program with reduced dietary self-monitoring requirements to those adopting a do-it-yourself (DIY) approach revealed that individuals in the former group experienced greater weight loss and were more likely to achieve a 5% weight loss at both the 3-month and 12-month marks. [8]
These findings further highlight the importance of evidence-based strategies in achieving successful weight loss outcomes.
By incorporating such programs into their practice, plastic surgeons can offer patients proven methods for achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, ultimately enhancing patient satisfaction and clinical outcomes.
Integrating a medical weight management program into a plastic surgery practice is not just an enhancement—it’s a strategic evolution that brings numerous benefits for both patients and practitioners.
By addressing the growing demand for holistic health solutions, plastic surgeons can elevate their practice, improve patient outcomes, and secure a competitive edge in the field of aesthetic medicine.
This holistic approach enhances patient safety and satisfaction and positions the practice as a leader in comprehensive care.
Healthcare providers and plastic surgeons are encouraged to adopt this innovative approach to meet the growing demand for integrated health solutions.
Medical weight management can be described in a general way as a range of activities directed at weight loss and keeping it at the same level without surgical treatment.
A weight management program focuses on building sustainable habits for living a healthy life by tuning in to dietary adjustments, exercise, behavioral changes, and sometimes even prescription medications as a result of a consultation with a doctor.
Clinical weight management is the combination of dietary and lifestyle modification and FDA-approved weight loss medications with program structure.
It represents an excellent treatment for those who do not or are not interested in any surgical treatments for obesity. It is supervised by healthcare professionals to be safe and effective in weight loss.
The integration of plastic surgery and medical weight management practice serves to benefit both physicians and patients through advanced care: preoperatively, with the optimization of health status before surgery; intraoperatively, with better results from surgical interventions and a shorter recovery period; and postoperatively, through expanded services, and improved patient satisfaction.
It also provides a new source of revenue and creates long-term profitability with comprehensive patient care.
Healthcare professionals, including dietitians, psychologists, and medical doctors, play crucial roles in a medical weight management program.
They provide nutritional guidance, support behavioral changes, and oversee the medical aspects of weight loss to ensure patient safety and effectiveness.
Their multidisciplinary approach addresses all aspects of a patient’s weight loss journey comprehensively.
Medical weight management is suitable for many individuals, including those who may not be candidates for surgical weight loss procedures.
It is particularly beneficial for those looking for a structured, supervised approach to weight loss that includes dietary changes, lifestyle modifications, and medical support.
Healthcare professionals can use the Certified Medical Weight Management Provider™ (CWMP) Program provided by specialized training companies like the International Association for Physicians in Aesthetic Medicine (IAPAM). These programs cover essential aspects of medical weight management, including nutritional counseling, behavioral therapy, and weight loss medications.
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Sources:
1. HealthDay. Over 1 Billion People Are Now Obese Worldwide. 2024, www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2024-03-01/over-1-billion-people-are-now-obese-worldwide.
2. “Weight Management Programs.” Cleveland Clinic, my.clevelandclinic.org/landing/weight-management/programs.
3. Tahrani, Abd A., and John Morton. “Benefits of Weight Loss of 10% or More in Patients with Overweight or Obesity: A Review.” Obesity, vol. 30, no. 4, 25 Mar. 2022, pp. 802–840, https://doi.org/10.1002/oby.23371.
4. Waheed, Zahra, et al. “General Anesthetic Care of Obese Patients Undergoing Surgery: A Review of Current Anesthetic Considerations and Recent Advances.” Cureus, vol. 15, no. 7, 8 July 2023, www.cureus.com/articles/151540-general-anesthetic-care-of-obese-patients-undergoing-surgery-a-review-of-current-anesthetic-considerations-and-recent-advances#, https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.41565.
5. Al-Mulhim, Abdulrahman Saleh, et al. “Obesity Disease and Surgery.” International Journal of Chronic Diseases, vol. 2014, 2014, pp. 1–9, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4590927/, https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/652341.
6. Tjeertes, Elke E.K.M., et al. “Obesity – a Risk Factor for Postoperative Complications in General Surgery?” BMC Anesthesiology, vol. 15, no. 1, 31 July 2015, link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186%2Fs12871-015-0096-7.pdf, https://doi.org/10.1186/s12871-015-0096-7.
7. FDA-Approved Weight Loss Drugs: Can They Help You?” Drugs.com, www.drugs.com/article/fda-approved-weight-loss-drugs.html.
8. Tate, Deborah F., et al. “Efficacy of a Commercial Weight Management Program Compared with a Do-It-Yourself Approach.” JAMA Network Open, vol. 5, no. 8, 16 Aug. 2022, p. e2226561, https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.26561 .
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