Procedure
Medical Weight Loss
Imagine being able to wake up with more energy and move through your day with more confidence in your habits and lifestyle choices. If you have struggled with your weight and are worn out by diets that are too hard to maintain and workout plans that never provide results, medical weight loss may be the change you need. Losing excess weight can lower your risk of health concerns and help you feel better with each passing day.
At The Gillian Institute in Indianapolis, we pair weight loss medications with wellness support to help you reach your goals. Every plan is built around your health history and physiology to help your progress be consistent and lasting.
What Is Medical Weight Loss?
Medical weight loss is a physician-supervised process that allows you to reach and maintain a healthy weight. Instead of leaving you to figure things out alone, you have a qualified medical team beside you at every step. It helps you step out of the endless cycle of diets with results that rarely last.
Medical weight loss programs address the reasons that weight is hard to lose, such as hunger and hormone imbalance. At The Gillian Institute, we look at the full picture of your health and then bring together medical treatments and our knowledge of nutrition and lifestyle to give you what your body needs to sustain a healthy weight. Services can stand on their own or work together, depending on the background and needs of the patient.
How Does Medical Weight Loss Work?
Our medical weight loss programs treat your body as a whole system, starting with understanding why your weight has been so hard to manage and addressing these factors with the right mix of solutions. We start the process with an in-depth evaluation. We will ask you about your history of weight loss and any relevant medical factors that you are already aware of. We facilitate any needed blood testing to determine if there are any imbalances.
From there, we build your treatment plan using methods like weight loss injections and hormone therapy, if indicated, always pairing them with advice and practical guidance on what to eat and which types of exercise to incorporate into your schedule. We always focus on sustainable options that you can keep up with so the process does not become overwhelming. As your body changes, we can make changes, too, so you continue to have the most effective plan.
Tirzepatide
Tirzepatide is a medication used for weight loss and managing blood sugar levels that belongs to a class of drugs called GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonists. It works by combining the actions of two hormones, GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) and GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1). These hormones help regulate blood sugar levels and control appetite.
Tirzepatide reduces hunger and makes you feel full. It works similarly to semaglutide but has an additional mechanism that enhances insulin secretion, further supporting weight loss and improving metabolic health.
Benefits of Tirzepatide:
- Reduces appetite and increases satiety
- Enhances insulin secretion for improved blood sugar control
- Supports significant weight loss
- Improves overall metabolic health
- Potentially reduces the risk of diabetes-related complications
What Can Medical Weight Loss Treat and Improve?
Carrying excess weight affects every system in your body and raises your risk for serious, long-term health conditions. Reaching a healthier weight often improves these concerns and, in some cases, can reduce or reverse them.
Medical weight loss can help address:
- Type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Sleep apnea and poor sleep quality
- Joint pain and reduced mobility
- Fatty liver disease
- Heart and cardiovascular strain
- Low energy and daily fatigue
Along with these medical benefits, patients tell us they feel like themselves again, with more energy for the people and activities they love.
Am I a Good Candidate for Medical Weight Loss?Â
The best way to find out for sure if medical weight loss is right for you is to talk with our team. However, there are a few signs you can identify before you even visit. Our programs are suitable for adults who have struggled to lose weight and are ready for medical support that considers root causes.
You may also be a good candidate if you:
- Have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher
- Have a BMI of 27 or higher along with a weight-related health condition
- Have tried other weight loss methods without lasting results
- Feel ready to commit to healthy, long-term lifestyle changes
- Want ongoing medical guidance instead of doing it alone
Medical weight loss is not recommended for everyone, and certain health conditions may affect which medications and treatments are safe for you. During your consultation at The Gillian Institute, we review your health history closely and help you understand your options before anything begins.
How Should I Prepare for Medical Weight Loss?
Getting started with your medical weight loss plan is simple, and we will be with you each step of the way.
Consultation
We will start by meeting with you one-on-one. You can share your goals with us and ask questions, and we will talk openly about challenges you have experienced in the past and what you can expect from each stage of your treatment here. Your provider will listen to you closely and get to know you and your situation as they shape the best plan for you.
Before You Begin
Once you decide to move forward, we will start with your evaluation, which may include lab work and a physical exam. We make sure there are no underlying issues or medical conditions that need to be addressed before we start. As you move toward your start date, small changes like drinking more water and adding gentle movement can help your body adjust more smoothly.
How Should I Prepare for Medical Weight Loss?
What to Expect From Your Weight Loss Program?
Once your plan is in place, medical weight loss will become part of your routine. If your plan includes weight loss injections, you will learn how to use them at home. They are self-administered with a small, pre-filled syringe on a schedule that your provider sets. We make sure you feel completely comfortable before you have to do it on your own.
As your body adjusts to weight loss medications, you may have temporary side effects such as nausea or changes in digestion. As you get used to your dose, these symptoms should fade. We are always available to adjust your medications or address questions and concerns.
Medication and hormone therapy will work alongside our nutrition and movement guidance. This is also an area where the plan can be flexible. As you progress through your plan, we can alter your nutrition to make sure you are getting all of the nutrients you need to lose fat while building muscle.
What Is the Medical Weight Loss Journey Like?
Making major life changes can be overwhelming both for your mind and your body. Knowing what to expect can help ease you through this transition.
The First Few Weeks
In the beginning, your body will be adjusting to your new plan. You will likely notice reduced appetite and fewer cravings first, and be able to start making healthier choices from there. This can also be the time period when you experience more side effects from the medication. Lean on your support team during this time as your new habits start to take shape.
The Following Months
Your body will eventually adjust to the medication, and you will notice a decrease in side effects like nausea. Your provider may slightly increase your dose depending on your treatment plan. You will start to notice steady and visible weight loss as you remain consistent with your injections and lifestyle changes.
When Will I See Weight Loss Results and How Long Will They Last?
Weight usually starts coming off within the first few weeks as your appetite drops. These changes may be modest at first until you reach a higher dose. Weight loss will build over the next few months as your treatment takes full effect and you settle into your new habits. You can expect to lose between .5 and 2 pounds per week on this program, though the timeline and amount are different for everyone.
The next step will be keeping the weight off once you are at your goal weight. When you are at this point, we shift toward a maintenance dose, adjusting medication as needed or leaning more on nutrition and lifestyle support. The plan is different for everyone, but these medications are suitable for long-term use if needed.
Start Your Medical Weight Loss Journey in Indianapolis
You do not have to keep fighting your weight alone. At The Gillian Institute in Indianapolis, our team is ready to build a medical weight loss plan that finally works with your body and fits your life. Real, lasting change starts with a single conversation.
Schedule your virtual consultation or in-person visit at our Indianapolis office today. Call us at 317-913-3260 to take the first step toward a healthier, more confident you.