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Many looking to lose weight have questions about weight-loss drugs and injectables. While weight-loss drugs and injectables can be an effective short-term strategy, the long-term success and safety are still being researched and is unknown. Below are some common misconceptions about weight-loss medications, along with facts you need to make informed decisions about your health.
Facts You Need to Know
Myth: Medications Increase Metabolism
Fact: One prevalent misconception is that there are medications that boost your metabolism, the body’s chemical process of turning food into energy. In reality, metabolism is primarily influenced by your body composition, with lean muscle mass playing a critical role. No medication can directly increase your metabolic rate. Instead, it's important to focus on building lean muscle through regular exercise and a balanced diet to improve your metabolism.
Myth: Doctors Will Prescribe Weight-Loss Medication as Long as You're Overweight
Fact: It's a common belief that as long as you're overweight, your doctor will prescribe weight-loss medications. However, this assumption doesn't align with the medical reality. Healthcare providers follow strict criteria when considering weight-loss medication prescriptions. Factors such as your weight, body mass index (BMI), and the presence of weight-related health conditions influence this decision. Weight-loss medications are typically recommended for individuals with a BMI of 30 or higher, or a BMI of 27 or higher with weight-related health issues. However, everything is dependent on the specific patient’s needs.
Myth: Insurance Will Cover Injectable Weight-Loss Medications for Obesity
Fact: The idea that insurance will automatically cover the cost of injectable weight-loss medications for obesity is a misconception. In reality, the decision to cover the cost of these medications depends on your employer, rather than your insurance company. Employers make financial decisions regarding the benefits they offer to their employees. While they can't dictate your treatment, they can decide whether they will pay for specific treatments, leaving you responsible for the cost if they choose not to provide coverage.
It is essential to separate fact from fiction when it comes to weight-loss medications. Remember that a comprehensive approach, including a balanced diet and regular exercise, along with weight-loss drugs and injectables, is often key to achieving your health and weight goals. Although these drugs have been effective in the short-term, the long-term success is still being researched.
New York Bariatric Group: Weight Loss Leader
NYBG is the leader in comprehensive weight-loss solutions. We are a one-stop shop, offering long-term weight-loss surgery as well as medically-supervised weight loss such as medications and injectables. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to losing weight. At NYBG, we work with you to customize a weight-loss program that will work best for you.
Weight-loss drugs and injectables have been shown to be an effective short-term strategy, but the long term effects and safety is still unknown. With our Medical Weight Loss Program the ongoing supervision allows doctors to make necessary adjustments to a patient’s treatment plan based on their progress and changes to their health.
Weight-loss surgery is the only proven long-term weight-loss solution. With decades of research, patients have seen sustainable weight loss. We offer multiple weight-loss surgery procedures and our doctors will work with you to find the right option.
Our practice is the best around:
- Over 30 surgeons who are leaders in bariatrics, plastic surgery, veins, and medical weight loss.
- 42,000 successful procedures performed with more every day
- The #1 gastric balloon practice by volume – most balloons placed in the United States
- Access to online seminars, support groups, cooking demos, and Q-and-A sessions
- 100s of videos for patients explaining procedures, answering common questions, and
showcasing previous patients - Multiple offices located in three states; NY, NJ, CT
- Offering in-person and virtual consultations
- Since 2000, we boast over 23 years of success!
All of our hospitals are Metabolic Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) accredited facilities, which is a prestigious designation bestowed upon only the top-quality bariatric programs.
Stop waiting; start achieving better health today. Together, we’ve got this!
