How is medically-assisted weight loss performed?
Your medical condition will be assessed prior to starting medically-assisted weight loss by DDr. Heinrich. This will include medical examinations, your medical history, and essential laboratory findings. In obesity almost always a hormonal imbalance is imminent. This imbalance needs to be diagnosed and treated prior to starting the weight loss therapy. Once the hormonal balance is restored weight loss should be easily achievable through means of diet and training. But often special nutritional supplements that are adapted to the individual needs of the patient are administered to alleviate the progress to ideal weight.
When do the first results of medically-assisted weight loss generally begin to show?
Initial results generally manifest themselves after around one month. Sustainable weight loss requires several months of therapy with a change in diet and fitness training.
How much does the medically-assisted weight loss therapy cost?
Each medically-assisted weight loss program is tailored to the individual needs of the patients. The key factors determining the costs are the therapy goals and the duration of the therapy.
What is the role of nutrition and sports in medically-assisted weight loss?
Our experience has shown that change of diet, cutting back on calories, and fitness training (endurance training such as jogging and cycling) are essential to the success of your medically-assisted weight loss terapy. Before you start your medically-assisted weight loss therapy we will give you diet recommendations, which you should follow during the therapy (and afterwards as well).
For how many months are medically-assisted weight loss programs usually planned?
Normally either for 3 months or for 6 months. Depending on the individual situation of the patient a possible repetition of the program may be discussed after the therapy. You will remain in continuous contact with us during the therapy. Regularly scheduled check-ups will be performed.
Can liposuction be used to lose weight?
Generally not, as liposuction is a surgical tool for body contouring and reducing localized fat deposits. Nevertheless, liposuction can be a very useful part of the weight loss therapy. This is because the body is apparently programmed for “fat breakdown” after liposuction. Furthermore, the surgical reduction of estrogen-producing fat pads in the belly and hips plays a key role in weight loss, as fat cells promote fat buildup. Thus well-targeted liposuction may interrupt the vicious circle of weight gain. After liposuction it is usually much easier to lose kilos quickly and permanently by dieting, fitness training, and medically-assisted weight loss therapies. Liposuction for weight loss should be integrated in an integral weight reduction plan. Liposuction without subsequent weight loss therapy is generally insufficient to lose weight.
Should I undergo liposuction before or after weight loss therapy?
If you are planning both liposuction for body contouring and losing weight please start with the liposuction and follow the weight loss program subsequently (which, due to experience, is also easier for you). Furthermore, liposuction prior to the weight loss therapy generally facilitates the shrinkage of residual skin, thus reducing the risk of forming sagging folds of excess skin.