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Ask Dr. Rybicki: Basic Weight Loss Procedures


Dr. Ken Rybicki

This time of year many of my patients come to me requesting information on weight loss. There is a lot of information, and misinformation, available to the public which often times is contradictory and confusing. My very first comments to patients wanting to go on a weight loss program, are, that there are no “miracle methods” to weight loss. To achieve long-term and sustainable weight loss, there are still only two important factors: proper diet and exercise. Nevertheless, patients ask me what they can do to at least get started on weight loss. I’ve compiled some basic weight loss procedures, and my thoughts on them. If you have any more specific questions about the topics, post them in the comments and I will try to address the ones that I can.

The first aspect to address is diet. Many patients want to know which diet is the best. Companies, doctors, and researchers have made numerous recommendations from low-fat, to low carbohydrate, to cabbage soup. I find that the most sustainable is low fat, and relatively low carbohydrate diets. I also recommend trying to place a daily calorie intake limit. This depends upon the size and age of the patient when they first come in. Patients also want to know about some of the structured programs that provide all of the food. These programs depend upon a specific fat, carbohydrate and calorie intake per day. These often work well, but this depends upon the patient’s motivation, and willingness to pay for the meals. Some people need to be regimented and eat only pre-packaged food that is specifically portioned. This is fine, but the food program must be strictly adhered to. Cheating will negate any benefits. There are medically prescribed “liquid diets” that also work very well. Once again, however, these must be followed perfectly, or they will not work. Sneaking in other food will make the diet less useful. No matter what diet is chosen, you need to make a long-term commitment to sticking with it. Healthy eating is a life-time process.

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Patients also want to know about weight loss medications. Once again, these can be useful to get a start, but are not long-term solutions. One example of a prescription weight loss medication is Phenteramine, which is an appetite suppressant. This seems to work somewhat for a short period of time. It can have some side-effects such as an upset stomach. The effectiveness of phenteramine is usually only for one to three months. Meridia is another appetite suppressant that may work for some individuals. Xenical is a fat absorption inhibitor that keeps people from eating fatty foods, because when doing so, they can feel bad with diarrhea and abdominal pain. Patients often ask about the numerous over-the-counter weight loss medicines. Many of these contain ephedrine, a stimulant, which I do not recommend.

Patients commonly ask be about weight loss surgery, which is also referred to as bariatric surgery. Recent advances in techniques for this surgery have made it much safer and successful. Some examples of this surgery include stomach stapling, gastric bands, and gastric bypass. These procedures are performed by qualified surgeons and require extensive pre-operative testing, as well as aggressive weight loss attempts prior to even considering surgery.

Exercise is the cornerstone of weight loss. I advise patients to start slow and develop an exercise program that includes both core strengthening and aerobic exercise. I recommend that they work their way up to aerobic exercise for a period of 30 to 40 minutes three times a week. Common examples of aerobic exercise include running on a treadmill, riding an exercise bicycle, or using elliptical trainers.

To summarize, while there are ways to get a fast start to weight loss, these will all fail unless you develop a good nutrition and exercise program that can be adhered to for a lifetime.

About the Author

Dr. Ken Rybicki is a practicing physician with a MD and PhD in Medical Research. In 2002 he was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer. He underwent major surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatment, and is now cancer free. While recovering from his treatment he developed NeoVitin, a daily vitamin supplement, to help him regain his strength and energy. NeoVitin is formulated for any adult looking for a safe way to acquire the essential nutrients their body needs. For more information visit NeoVitin.com.

Community Thoughts (8)

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  1. BadukNo Gravatar says:

    To lose weight, just eat better food and make sport… and be patient ! all other ways are not good IMO.

  2. swanNo Gravatar says:

    If we can truly “digest” the fact that weight loss is a simple formula – that what goes into our mouths minus calories burned in a day determines our body mass, it makes the prospect of weight loss a little easier to break down. These days you can get some great safe weight loss programs right online that will give you structure and support in putting together a realistic plan that will fit your lifestyle. These plans can be surprisingly inexpensive when you compare them with gym memberships, specialty food orders and other related costs. Some offer coaching (in studies people who worked with a coach lost up to 60% more weight than those who didn’t), online support networks, and virtual libraries where you can get up to speed on the latest information.

  3. PANDUNo Gravatar says:

    To make your healthy,and lose the fat..you must make some workout and drinking to much water everyday..

  4. PepperNo Gravatar says:

    It’s great to see that you say that weight loss pills are great for an initial plan to weight loss but not to be used long-term. So many people still believe all their weight loss answers lay in a magic pill.

  5. AaronNo Gravatar says:

    Excellent advice. All too often, people take the quick/easy route.. only to rebound and end up worse off. Pills have their place, but IMO it’s very limited.

  6. THE WAYS YOU HAVE SUGGESTED ARE VERY USEFUL.PEOPLE WHO FOLLOW YOUR WAY WILL GET RESULT…BUT AFTER CERTAIN TIME.
    LONG TERM PLANNING IN LOSING WEIGHT ALWAYS WORKS…THERE ARE NO SHORTCUTS .SOME HEALTH EXPERT THINK AS YOU DO.

  7. JohnNo Gravatar says:

    I like this article because it is practical and real. Weight loss has to be a way of life, not an overnight quick fix. We need to get back in touch with our calorie and fat consumption and get that under our control. And far too many of us do not get enough exercise. Again, good article.
    John

  8. I agree with Dr Ken Rybicki that there is no “magic methods” to lose weight. To achieve long-term and sustainable weight loss, there are two important factors: diet and exercise that right. Thank you very useful knowledge for the diet program participants.

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