(844) 863-6700
It’s a grim reality that nearly one in three adults in America is overweight and struggles to shed weight due to several factors, including PCOS, hormone imbalance, and insulin resistance, to name just a few. Nearly 70% of American adults, 20 years and older, are overweight or obese and face chronic health issues, including high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, infertility, and more.
About Dr. Aliabadi’s weight loss methodology
As a leading Los Angeles weight loss doctor, I offer a highly innovative and medically supervised weight management program that has proven to be among the most effective in the United States.
My patient’s medical weight loss is faster and safer than standard diets because you are under the care of a medical doctor throughout your treatment. Weight loss physicians, like myself, can utilize medications and tools that are not available in commercial or self-directed weight loss treatments. In addition, with medical weight management, a healthcare professional is with you every step of the way.
Medical weight loss is also better equipped to address all the factors that can impact your weight loss efforts. Medical conditions such as PCOS and medications such as antidepressants and birth control can cause weight gain or make weight loss harder. A medical professional can work with you to manage your medical conditions or find suitable medication alternatives.
My patients have achieved remarkable results through my customized weight loss programs, which are tailored to address each patient’s underlying medical issues. With over 10 years of experience, I am well qualified to ensure your long-term success.
In addition, my weight loss methodologies are scientifically based and medically effective. Medical weight loss allows patients to improve their health and self-image without crash diets or weight yo-yoing.
I supervise every patient’s weight loss program to ensure it is personalized to their lifestyle. And if we use medication
What is a medical weight loss program?
Medical weight loss is a comprehensive program designed to help individuals achieve their weight loss goals safely and healthily under the guidance and supervision of a trained physician. One-size-fits-all approaches to weight loss, promoted by dietitians, physical trainers, meal replacement shakes, and the media, don’t work for most people.
Medical weight loss is never one-size-fits-all.
My state-of-the-art program provides a comprehensive examination of each patient’s individual physical health, hormone production, body composition, and medical conditions. Keeping your medical needs and health in mind, I can create a comprehensive treatment plan of medications, hormone-balancing supplements, nutritionist-supported dietary changes, exercise, and behavioral counseling. These customized treatment plans have yielded exceptional results for my patients.
Medical weight loss clinics aim to help patients achieve sustainable weight loss, improve their overall health, and reduce the risk of obesity-related medical conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. My weight loss center’s program is tailored to everyone’s unique needs and goals and is supervised by my medical team and me. We monitor patient progress, adjust your plan as needed, and provide guidance and support throughout your journey.
Erica has lost over 100 pounds under Dr. Aliabadi’s care. Watch her story now.
The health risks of being overweight
As a medical professional, I can’t stress enough the importance of maintaining a healthy weight; there are so many health risks associated with being overweight. Excess weight puts additional stress on your heart, muscles, and bones, leading to various health issues.
Fat cells release hormones that impact your metabolism and can lead to further weight gain. The hormones released by fat cells can also increase your risk of certain cancers, and cancer cells also use fat for fuel. Research also suggests that fat cells send signals that keep cells with damaged DNA from dying, thereby increasing your cancer risk.
Other long-term health risks of being overweight include, but are not limited to:
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Type 2 diabetes
- Osteoarthritis
- Sleep apnea
- Kidney disease
- Fatty liver disease
Hormones and weight loss: the link between your weight and your hormones
Believe it or not, hormonal changes can significantly affect your weight. To achieve healthy and maintainable weight loss, it’s essential to understand how your body works and how its functions are linked.
We now know that weight fluctuations are not just caused by what you eat or how much you exercise; hormonal changes can play a significant role. Research suggests that hormonal fluctuations can influence your appetite, cravings, and fat storage.
For many of my medical weight management patients, a simple exercise and diet plan isn’t enough to create a difference, especially if their hormones are involved. When developing your weight loss plan, we will also evaluate your hormone levels to determine if they are imbalanced or contributing to your weight gain.
The hormones that affect your weight include:
Insulin
Insulin is the hormone that tells your body to store fat. Diabetic patients have to work to manage their insulin levels, but even non-diabetics can experience insulin spikes. Adjusting your eating habits to avoid sugary foods and overeating are great ways to help keep your insulin in check. You can also eat more protein and drink green tea to achieve similar effects.
Leptin
Leptin is the hormone that regulates feelings of fullness. People with extra fat produce more leptin, which, in theory, tells the brain you don’t need to eat as much. Leptin resistance is a condition where your brain doesn’t recognize the leptin signal despite having surplus leptin in your system.
This can make weight loss hard, especially when using a very low-calorie diet, because your brain thinks you’re starving and needs to store more fat. You can improve your body’s leptin sensitivity by avoiding inflammatory foods, eating more protein, and sleeping at least seven hours a night.
Cortisol
Cortisol is often referred to as the “stress hormone.” If your cortisol levels are chronically high, it can be hard to minimize overeating habits. Cortisol also affects your metabolism and blood sugar, which impact your body’s ability to lose weight.
To lower cortisol levels, it is essential to practice mindfulness, manage stress effectively, maintain a balanced diet, and get at least seven hours of sleep each night.
Estrogen
Estrogen, the “female sex hormone,” can cause weight gain. Weight gain is very common during menopause as estrogen levels plummet. Conversely, high estrogen levels can also trigger weight gain.
Some ways to manage your estrogen levels include incorporating plenty of fiber into your diet, increasing your intake of cruciferous vegetables, exercising more frequently, and adding flaxseeds to your diet.
The link between PCOS and weight gain
Between 40 and 70% of people with PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) are overweight or obese. The exact cause of PCOS is still unknown, but patients with PCOS have increased levels of androgens and often have insulin resistance as well.
The hormonal imbalances associated with PCOS can lead to metabolic issues and weight gain, as well as trouble losing weight. To make matters worse, being overweight can worsen PCOS symptoms such as hair thinning, unwanted hair growth on the body, acne, mood swings, and more. PCOS is also one of the most common causes of infertility in women.
Insulin resistance — whether caused by PCOS, diabetes, or obesity — triggers weight gain as well as other medical problems. When a person is insulin-resistant, their body is unable to use insulin to regulate blood glucose levels effectively.
This can result in several problems, including high insulin levels, weight gain, and elevated cholesterol levels.
Today’s weight loss medications are game-changers
Millions of Americans struggle with losing weight and keeping it off. Unfortunately, we now know that simply eating less and moving more isn’t all you need to do to maintain a healthy weight.
So, if you’re struggling to lose weight and keep it off, it isn’t your fault; your biology deeply influences your weight. Excess weight is a chronic condition requiring lifelong management. As we age, weight issues can become more progressive and extra weight can return.
To help manage this condition, we now have a variety of prescription weight-loss drugs. If your BMI (body mass index) is 30 or higher, a doctor can prescribe you weight loss medication. Patients with a BMI of 27 and a condition related to their weight, such as PCOS, type 2 diabetes, or high blood pressure, can also qualify for medication.
These prescription weight loss medications include appetite suppressants and drugs that increase feelings of fullness or decrease fat absorption. They are intended to be used in conjunction with lifestyle changes, such as adopting a healthier diet and increasing physical activity.
I have been helping patients lose weight and regain control of their lives with semaglutide medications since 2014, longer than almost all physicians currently prescribing trending medications like Ozempic.
It is essential to recognize that these medications are not quick fixes; they carry potential risks and side effects. Before moving forward with these treatment options, my team and I must determine if prescription weight loss medication is safe and appropriate for you based on your medical history, current medications, current health, and many other factors.
There are a variety of drugs that can be used off-label to support healthy weight loss. These drugs are FDA-approved for conditions such as type 2 diabetes but are also prescribed by doctors to assist in weight loss and treat obesity. Some of the most popular ones include:
Semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic, Rybelsus)
Semaglutide was initially approved as a treatment for type 2 diabetes and is prescribed for that use under the names Ozempic and Rybelsus. When sold under the brand name Wegovy, semaglutide is approved for the treatment of obesity and weight management.
All three varieties of semaglutide work by mimicking a hormone that stimulates insulin production, reduces appetite, and promotes a feeling of fullness in the intestines. It is administered as a weekly injection and, in tests, patients averaged a 15% reduction in body weight.
Liraglutide (Saxenda, Victoza)
Liraglutide is a type 2 diabetes drug that mimics an intestinal hormone that tells your brain you’re full. Under the brand name Saxenda, liraglutide is prescribed as a daily medication for weight loss, administered by injection.
Many patients see weight loss results within the first month. However, if you don’t lose 4% of your weight after 16 weeks of taking Saxenda, you should discontinue it, as it is unlikely to be effective for you.
Tirzepatide (Mounjaro)
Mounjaro is a first-in-class medicine that activates both the GLP-1 and GIP receptors, leading to improved blood sugar control. This medication is administered by injection under the skin once a week.
Naltrexone HCl and bupropion (Contrave)
Contrave combines two FDA-approved drugs — naltrexone and bupropion — in an extended-release formula. Naltrexone is approved to treat alcohol and opioid dependence; bupropion is approved to treat depression and seasonal affective disorder and help people stop smoking. These medications are combined into one pill to reduce hunger and control cravings.
If you don’t lose at least 5% of your weight after 12 weeks of taking Contrave, it’s unlikely to be effective for you.
Looking for in-person medical weight loss near me?
Dr. Aliabadi and her friendly, professional team provide top-in-the-industry care to patients at all stages of life. Dr. Aliabadi is also a leading expert in treating medically related weight gain, PCOS, endometriosis, and other gynecological wellness conditions.
Our medically supervised weight loss programs always prioritize our patients’ safety and well-being.
We invite you to establish care with Dr. Aliabadi. Please make an appointment online or call us at (844) 863-6700.
The practice of Dr. Thais Aliabadi is conveniently located for patients throughout Southern California and the Los Angeles area. We are near Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Santa Monica, West Los Angeles, Culver City, Hollywood, Venice, Marina del Rey, Malibu, Manhattan Beach, and Downtown Los Angeles.
