Welcome back to our Facebook Live Ask Me Anything Show with Dr. Simonds and Michelle Kennedy, NP-C. We are back in our Raleigh Office answering your questions live. Today’s show is all about restarting your weight loss journey at Dr. Simonds Metabolics and Weight Loss.
Let’s get to your questions!
Q: Since Covid-19, I’ve gained 15 lbs and need some help. Will I be required to pay the first time fee? It’s been a few years.
A: We know this has been a challenging time with people being at home more and gaining weight as a result. Do not worry! You are welcome back and you will not have to pay the first time fee. You will be considered a restart patient if it’s been some time since we’ve seen you and will pay the usual follow up fee that you had before.
We are here to help and make it as easy as possible. We know that this is a chronic medical problem that needs to be addressed, so we want to make it convenient and easy. If it hasn’t been too long since we’ve seen you, we can even provide a follow-up visit over the phone as well. We also have an onsite pharmacy and can ship your weight loss medications directly to you or provide curbside pickup.
Q: I’ve tried every diet except for Keto b/c I’m worried that if I fall off I will quickly gain more weight. Is this true?
A: This is a great question! There’s definitely a common misconception that the keto diet will cause a large amount of weight to be regained. However, any successful treatment program that causes weight loss that is stopped, will cause the weight to come back. 90% of people who lose weight by any method end up gaining the weight back. So, it’s not unique to the keto diet or due to taking prescription weight loss medications.
Obesity is a chronic medical condition and weight gain will result if you go back to the behaviors prior to your weight loss, regardless of which diet you were on.
Q: I hear a lot about appetite suppressants, good and bad. What are some things I should be aware of as far as side effects?
A: This is something we hear quite often. Classically, the older appetite suppressants have received many untrue assumptions, which has resulted in many fictitious notions. Appetite suppressants were approved by the FDA in the late 1950s and have been safely used for over the past 60 years. In over 60 years, there have not been any reported cases of addiction or heart attacks in the medical literature. They have been proven to be very safe and effective.
Appetite suppressants are still medication and can cause some minor side effects such as dry mouth and insomnia. As a result, we simply inform any patients taking appetite suppressants to increase their water intake and take the medication earlier in the day. We have found that about 99% of our patients tolerate appetite suppressants very well. They are inexpensive and work very quickly, as soon as 20 minutes after taking them.
We regularly prescribe appetite suppressants such as phentermine (Adipex) and some others. We have many different options, so if you’ve had issues tolerating certain medications in the past we can try an alternative. While we are also advocates in continuing medications in maintenance, it is also not a requirement in our practice.
Everyone is different and we are happy to make adjustments as necessary and navigate you through your weight loss journey. We are ALWAYS open to communication with our patients and are always available to answer your questions or concerns.
Q: Are there any new products or advancements worth considering since I was a patient a few years back?
A: In the area of medications to treat obesity, unfortunately, there are limited options. We would certainly like there to be more options out there in regards to prescription medications. We do have some non-FDA approved options for obesity that patients find beneficial such as CBD and Lipotropic Injections. We like to focus on nutrition, exercise, prescription medications such as phentermine, and behavioral modification as part of an overall plan for success.
We are continuing to offer new products as they come available on the market and are proven to be safe and effective. Stay tuned and join our email list for any new exciting announcements!
Q: What are some great tips and supplements to consider when restarting keto? I had a terrible time restarting before.
A: We can definitely help you out and we have some great tips! We have found that many patients that transition to a keto diet, whether it be your first time or restarting may have some difficulty. Electrolytes, magnesium, potassium and sodium supplements are very effective in helping you feel better when following a keto diet. We recommend consuming broths and increasing the salt levels in your meals.
Other great options to help keep electrolyte levels balanced are Smart Water, Core Water, Powerade Zero and other zero-calorie sports drinks. Many keto diet followers may experience headaches and other side effects from sugar withdrawals as well. Keeping hydrated and increasing your sodium will help with the feelings of fatigue, headaches and other side effects when starting a keto diet.
Make sure to watch the show for the particular Magnesium supplements that Dr. Simonds and Michelle recommend. They are not all created equal and we certainly recommend some more than others.
Q: My biggest problem is trying to prep my own food. Is there a line that you carry or recommend that I could order my food?
A: Absolutely! There are tons of meal delivery options available and we have many listed on our website. One popular meal delivery service in the triangle area is Clean Eatz. This particular company offers complete ready to eat meals for your convenience. If you prefer to make your own meals, there are some companies that will prep the ingredients and provide cooking instructions. Please visit our website for more delivery/pick-up options to make meals easier when dieting.
Q: I just recently had a baby 4 months ago. How soon can I get back on my appetite suppressant?
A: Appetite suppressants can be continued as soon as you are no longer breastfeeding your baby.
Q: Believe it or not, I am a fitness trainer that can’t seem to lose weight. I have about 20 lbs that I want to lose. What else should I consider?
A: Exercise alone is definitely not enough for weight loss. We know it’s super frustrating because we are told “to just exercise more, to lose weight.” You can exercise all you want, but it’s typically not the best way to lose weight and feel your best. Focusing on your diet is very effective for weight loss. However, if you’re having a difficult time losing weight with diet and exercise, adding a medication may be the next step. Contact our office and we will be happy to guide you further.
Q: This year I went into full menopause and I’ve let my weight come back. Are there any supplements to help?
A: Menopause is a serious, hormonal shift that you don’t have much control over and it’s not a choice. Please know that it’s not your fault that weight gain has resulted from this change. You’re not alone as many women struggle with their weight while experiencing menopause.
We often recommend maca, a root to help naturally alleviate menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes and trouble sleeping. Metformin is also an excellent medication that helps regulate the hormone, insulin. Hormones are all connected and have a cascading effect on all the other hormones in the body. When menopause happens, insulin sensitivity decreases which often leads to weight gain. Metformin helps our cells use insulin and process sugar more appropriately. Almost all of the menopausal women we treat at the practice are on Metformin and experience great results.
Thanks again for watching! We love answering your questions and keeping you informed. Our experienced obesity experts at Dr. Simonds Metabolics & Weight Loss are ready to help you achieve your goals and get you started on your weight loss journey. Contact us for more information or to schedule an appointment. We are here to help!
