Weight Loss Treatments

Holistic Weight Loss Solutions in La Jolla, CA: A Functional Medicine Approach

Achieving and maintaining weight loss is a challenge for many, particularly for those dealing with morbid obesity. In La Jolla, CA, Dr. Mark Stengler's clinic offers a unique approach to weight management, combining functional medicine with personalized care to help patients achieve sustainable results.

Tailored Dietary Modifications for Effective Weight Loss

Understanding that one size does not fit all in dieting, our clinic in La Jolla employs functional medicine to create customized eating plans that suit each individual's health needs and lifestyle. We focus on diets that not only restrict calories but also enhance nutrition, ensuring a balanced intake that supports overall health and well-being.

• Low Calorie Diets (LCDs) and Very Low Calorie Diets (VLCDs) are designed to reduce caloric intake substantially while providing balanced nutrition with high-protein, low-fat foods.

Explore our variety of healthful recipes and meal plans, which are integral to supporting these diet adjustments and promoting weight management.

Behavior Modification for Lasting Change

Weight loss is as much about changing habits as it is about changing diets. Our program in La Jolla includes behavior modification strategies that help patients make permanent lifestyle changes:

• Setting realistic, achievable weight loss goals.
• Monitoring eating and exercise habits through journaling.
• Avoiding situations that trigger unhealthy eating.
• Celebrating milestones to build confidence and commitment.
• Establishing a support network to stay motivated.

Integrative Exercise Routines

Physical activity is key to losing weight and keeping it off. We recommend exercises that can be easily integrated into daily life, ensuring they are manageable and sustainable:

• Encouraging walking by choosing farther parking spots or using stairs.
• Limiting sedentary activities such as watching television.
• Engaging in swimming, cycling, or other low-impact exercises.

Complementary Medications

When appropriate, we utilize FDA-approved medications to aid the weight loss process. These are prescribed after a thorough evaluation to ensure they complement the holistic weight management plan:

• Orlistat for reducing fat absorption.
• Phentermine as an appetite suppressant.
• Sibutramine for long-term weight maintenance.

Medications

A number of over-the-counter and prescription weight loss drugs are available. Some people find these drugs help curb their appetites. Studies show that patients on drug therapy lose around 10 percent of their excess weight and that the weight loss plateaus after six to eight months. As people stop taking the medication, weight gain normally occurs.

Weight loss drugs, approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating obesity, include:

• Beta-methyl-phenylethylamine (Fastin)-- This is a stimulant that boosts fat metabolism.
• Orlistat (Xenical)-- This medication works by blocking about 30 percent of dietary fat from being absorbed. Alli is a lower-dose, over-the-counter formula of the same drug.
• Phentermine-- Phentermine, an appetite suppressant, has been available for many years. It is half of the "fen-phen" combination that continues to be available for use. The use of phentermine alone has not been linked to the adverse health effects of the fenfluramine-phentermine combination.
• Sibutramine (Meridia)-- This is an appetite suppressant approved for long-term use.

Medications are an important part of the morbid obesity treatment process but weight-loss drugs can have serious side effects. We recommend that you go to a licensed healthcare professional who can prescribe proper medications. Before insurance providers will reimburse you for weight-loss surgery, you must adhere to a well-documented treatment plan that usually includes medications.

Bariatric Surgery: A Considered Decision

For those in La Jolla who have not achieved significant weight loss through conventional methods, bariatric surgery may be an option. This is considered only after:

• Exhaustive attempts at diet, exercise, and behavior modification have been made.
• The patient is significantly over their ideal weight or has a high BMI with associated health conditions.

Candidates must undergo comprehensive pre-surgical assessments and commit to lifelong post-operative care.

Our clinic in La Jolla is committed to providing holistic, patient-centered care that respects each individual’s journey and supports them through tailored interventions. If you’re looking for a sustainable path to weight loss and improved health, contact Dr. Mark Stengler’s clinic in La Jolla at (760) 274-2377 for a consultation.

‍

‍