Appetite Control

Do I need appetite-control medication?

To answer this question, first we must recognize that for most people who struggle with the chronic relapsing disease of obesity, hunger is a critical factor, and it is regulated by a cascade of hormones in our body that follow specific communication pathways running like electrical wiring between the brain and the gut (Gastrointestinal “G.I.” System). Some of these hormones (“Hunger hormones”) make us hungry, while the others make us feel full (“fullness hormones”).

For you to achieve a good balance between hunger and fullness, you must have a good balance between the hunger hormones and fullness hormones (pathways). Current medical research shows that individuals who struggle with weight gain or obesity, may have a miscommunication in the hunger and fullness pathways.

Based on this science, appetite suppressant medications should be called “communication enhancers“ because they enhance the communication of these pathways and help re-balance the hunger and fullness hormones and chemicals.

So, the answer to the question above is…YES!

Bariatric doctors often use hunger control medications to help treat the disease of obesity just like a pulmonologist (lung doctor) uses certain medications for controlling the chronic relapsing disease of asthma.

When clinically indicated, and in conjunction with a healthy nutritional plan, behavior modification, and a focused exercise plan, we recommend the use of appetite control medications as part of a comprehensive non-surgical bariatric treatment plan.

At Worthy Weight Loss, we have extensive training and experience in prescribing and adjusting traditional FDA approved appetite suppressing medications such as:

• Phentermine (Adipex)
• Phendimetrazine (Bontril)
• Diethylproprion (Tenuate)

In addition, newer FDA approved hunger control medications such as Qsymia, Belviq, Saxenda and Contrave may be prescribed to help you control hunger.  Furthermore, other older and more traditional medications that were originally FDA approved for treating other medical conditions, are often prescribed because of their ability to provide additional weight loss and hunger control effects for patients.