Combination therapy: A new approach to weight loss
- Category: Weight Loss, Bariatrics
- Posted on:
Combination therapy for weight loss involves having bariatric surgery and taking weight loss medication before, after, or before and after surgery. This treatment approach is becoming more popular because of how it helps treat obesity and sustain weight loss.
Key takeaways
- In the new era of weight loss, treatment is about finding a combination of therapies that improve outcomes.
- Some people opt for medical weight loss with GLP-1 medication, but this medication doesn’t work for everyone, especially those with very high BMIs and other health issues.
- Bariatric surgery, along with weight loss medication before or after surgery (or both), can help achieve and sustain weight loss.
Did you know that Louisiana has one of the highest rates of obesity in the United States? That’s right—nearly 40% of adults in our state have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, according to America’s Health Rankings.
Obesity is a serious health issue because it can lead to other conditions, such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and even cancer. But how do you treat it? With diet and exercise? Bariatric surgery? Those GLP-1 weight loss drugs everyone keeps talking about?
“It’s really not one option or the other anymore,” says Schonte Washington, RN, senior director of bariatrics at LCMC Health. “When we’re thinking about treating obesity, in the new era of weight loss, it’s about how a combination of therapies will improve outcomes.”
Let’s break down the options.
Medical weight loss and GLP-1s
Medical weight loss typically involves medication therapy to help you lose weight. There are a variety of weight loss medications, but the most popular are GLP-1s (glucagon-like peptide-1).
“What this medication does is decrease food noise,” explains Schonte. “So, when patients have a lot of uncontrollable cravings, this medication wipes those cravings or urges away.”
Weight loss medications can be helpful if you have obesity but no other related health conditions, such as high blood pressure, sleep apnea or diabetes. A downside, though, is that once you start taking them, you often have to stay on them to sustain the weight loss. In other words, it’s a lifetime medication for most people.
Bariatric surgery
Despite the popularity of GLP-1s, bariatric surgery remains a beneficial obesity treatment option—especially for those who:
- Can’t tolerate weight loss medications because of side effects
- Have very high BMIs and don’t lose a significant amount of weight from taking medication
- Have other health issues
At LCMC Health, our weight loss specialists offer two types of bariatric surgery: gastric bypass and vertical sleeve gastrectomy. These procedures not only shrink the size of your stomach but can also lead to hormone changes that help you feel less hungry.
Research shows that weight loss surgery can improve or resolve health conditions, such as:
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Joint pain
- Lipid disorders
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Reflux
Combination therapy
In the past, most weight loss treatment plans either involved medication or surgery—not both. But today, combination therapy is starting to become more common.
“What we’ve seen in the last year or so is that with the help of GLP-1s before and after surgery, patients are having a higher success rate,” says Schonte. “They are achieving their goal weight and sustaining it.”
Starting with a GLP-1 can help some patients get to a safer weight before bariatric surgery. Then, surgery helps treat the obesity and other conditions. And taking a GLP-1 after surgery helps with food cravings and keeping weight off.
“Even though the stomach has a smaller capacity after surgery, if you ignore feeling full and push yourself to eat more, you’ll regain some weight,” says Schonte. “The GLP-1s after surgery help with the psychological part.”
Benefits of a weight loss program
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed about weight loss treatment options. But with a weight loss program, you get plenty of guidance and support. In addition to talking through treatments, our LCMC Health weight loss specialists:
- Connect you with dietitians for nutrition education
- Monitor your lab values to learn more about your overall health
- Incorporate psychology to support the mental aspects of weight loss
- Use a body composition scale that tells you more about your body, so treatments are personalized to you
Find a weight loss program in New Orleans
If you’re ready to start your weight loss journey, we’re ready to help. At LCMC Health, we take self-referrals and provider referrals. To get started:
- Read more about our program.
- Fill out our new patient form.
- Schedule an initial consultation.
- Talk to a financial counselor, who verifies your insurance, so you know what’s covered and what’s not.
- Schedule any follow-up appointments or procedures.
Related questions about weight loss
Is bariatric surgery the same as not eating?
No, bariatric surgery doesn’t just decrease appetite. Once the stomach is a smaller size, many people process and metabolize food differently. With a healthy diet, they can get the right amount of nutrients to their organs to thrive.
Does bariatric surgery only treat obesity?
Bariatric surgery can treat obesity, as well as other related conditions. For example, an orthopedic provider might refer a patient to bariatrics who has chronic knee or back pain because weight on their joints is one cause, and weight loss can help with treatment.
Do I need a prescription for weight loss medication?
Yes, most weight loss medications, including GLP-1s, require a prescription from a medical provider.
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