Appetite Suppressants

• Most medical weight loss programs involve the supervised prescribed use of appetite suppressants. Many obese people simply cannot override the hunger mechanism that has become overactive. Prescription appetite suppressants are more powerful than the over-the-counter variety and can help break the overeating cycle. They are commonly prescribed on a short-term bases so that patients do not rely completely on them for their weight loss, also because of potential side effects.
  
  

Inhibitors

• Another common form of prescription weight loss medication is the fat molecule absorption blocker. This type of medication binds to some of the fat molecules or absorption sites to prevent the body from absorbing the fat. Patients can continue to eat the foods they enjoy without actually receiving all the fat from the food. These medications can have the side effect of loose or oily stool and diarrhea when extremely fatty food is eaten.
  
  

Diet

• All the above-mentioned diet medications are used in conjunction with some or a lot of diet modification. The idea of using prescription medications is to give the patient a jump start on adapting better eating habits. Patients are counseled in making smarter choices in their meal planning and what constitutes good nutrition, such as eating lean proteins and lots of fruits and veggies instead of fast foods or high-fat foods.
  
  

Exercise

• Weight loss patients are also encouraged to get moving as much as possible. Many overweight people do not exercise or exercise very little. Along with medication and diet counseling, patients are given a basic exercise regimen with many options so they can find a workout that works for them. Sometimes simple changes, like going out for walks or taking the stairs instead of the elevator, can have a substantial effect on weight loss.
  
  

Other

• When used alone, some people report regaining the weight they lost using weight loss medications. Patients who combine the pills with modifications to diet and exercise often experience more long-term weight loss. Sometimes it is necessary for patients to seek counseling to understand the root cause of their eating issues. All of these techniques combined provide the best chance for long-term weight loss.