Doctor-Supervised Medical Weight Loss Programs in Seattle & Bellevue

Medically reviewed by Dr. Navdeep Kaur

The National Institutes of Health indicates more than 70% of American adults are overweight or obese; many try to lose the extra pounds through different kinds of weight loss programs. While traditional commercial diets often rely on willpower, true metabolic health frequently requires clinical intervention and supervision. Many people lose some weight on their own at first, then give up and regain everything they lost, plus more.

At VIVAA, we provide a safe, doctor-supervised medical weight-loss program tailored to your unique biology, lifestyle, and health goals. Our Seattle-area clinics combine advanced clinical treatments with long-term lifestyle guidance to help you shed excess pounds safely and permanently.

How to Start Our Medical Weight Loss Program

Talking with healthcare professionals about your excess body weight is an essential first step. We can help you make lifestyle changes to reach and maintain a healthy weight. However, if you have trouble making these lifestyle changes—or if they aren’t enough to help you achieve and maintain a healthy weight—consider a medical weight-loss program that may include medication or other treatments. Prescription medicines to treat overweight and obesity, combined with healthy lifestyle changes overseen by experienced professionals, can help many people reach a healthy weight. For those who have severe obesity with a BMI (body mass index) of 35 and above, bariatric surgery may be an option for weight reduction and management.

During your initial consultation at VIVAA, we look beyond the scale. We evaluate your BMI, review your medical history and analyze potential metabolic barriers to provide the physiological edge you need to succeed.

FDA-Approved Medical Weight Loss Medications & Injections We Offer

Prescription clinical weight-loss treatments work by addressing the biological factors underlying chronic weight-management issues. These pharmaceuticals help regulate hormones in the brain, digestive tract, and adipose (fat) tissue. For example, some medicines may help you feel less hungry or full sooner.

Depending on your health profile, we may prescribe treatments that suppress appetite, reduce intense cravings, enhance feelings of fullness or make it harder for your body to absorb fat from your food. When paired with lifestyle adjustments, medical weight loss injections or oral therapies typically result in a significantly greater, more sustainable total body weight reduction than diet and exercise alone.

The Health Benefits of Clinical Weight Loss Management

Losing 5% to 10% of your total body weight and keeping it off can have critical and proven cardiovascular benefits. For example, it can lower blood pressure, blood sugar, and blood fat levels. These improvements benefit the cardiovascular system and improve diabetes and other health conditions. Those suffering from arthritis may achieve enhanced mobility. Weight loss improves chronic pain, sleep apnea, and mood while also reducing the risk of some cancers, like breast, prostate, colon, and esophageal cancer.

General Weight Loss Medication Side Effects

Taking weight loss drugs to treat obesity comes with side effects for some patients. These can include:

• Nausea
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Pancreatitis
• Gallbladder problems
• Vision changes
• Increased heart rate while at rest
• Depression or thoughts of suicide

Other potential side effects include fatigue, loss of appetite, pancreatitis, and gallbladder and kidney problems. Most issues lessen over time and rarely produce serious problems.

If you have a severe allergic reaction, including swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat; trouble swallowing or breathing; a severe rash or itching; feeling dizzy; or a rapid heartbeat, discontinue treatment and call your healthcare provider immediately.

Criteria for Prescription Weight Loss Drugs

Determining whether you are a candidate for prescription weight-loss medications starts with your BMI. Doctors generally prescribe these medications for patients with a BMI of 30 or greater or 27 or greater if the individual has weight-related health conditions. All weight loss medications are contraindicated for pregnancy. You should discuss your current health conditions, medications, and family medical history at a consultation.

The FDA has approved the following six medications for long-term use in patients who want to lose weight:

• Orlistat (Xenical, Alli)
• Phentermine-topiramate (Qsymia)
• Naltrexone-bupropion (Contrave)
• Liraglutide (Saxenda)
• Semaglutide (Wegovy)
• Tirzepatide (Zepbound)

Download Weight Loss Medications PDF

Orlistat

This drug is a lipase inhibitor that blocks the enzyme that breaks down fats in food, inhibiting their absorption. Orlistat is used with a reduced-calorie diet and may also reduce the risk of weight regain.

Phentermine-topiramate

The two drugs in this pharmacological treatment work together to decrease appetite and cravings, targeting obese adults with migraines. Patients with uncontrolled high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, hyperthyroidism, glaucoma, and sensitivity to stimulants should not use this weight loss medication.

Naltrexone-bupropion

This weight loss medication combines an opioid receptor antagonist with an antidepressant. Naltrexone-bupropion decreases cravings and appetite because it affects the brain's pleasure-reward areas. Patients who have a seizure disorder or use opioids for chronic pain should not take this medication.

Liraglutide

As one of several injectable medications, Liraglutide acts on gut hormones that signal the brain to make you feel full more quickly and reduce hunger. You should not use liraglutide if you have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2.

Advanced GLP-1 Receptor Agonists for Appetite Suppression

These drugs receive the most attention from the general public. GLP-1 Receptor Agonists have recently become available in pill form.

Semaglutide

Wegovy is the brand name for semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist. This FDA-approved weight loss medication has the same formulation as Ozempic, which doctors use to manage diabetes.  Patients 12 years of age and older can receive injections of this weight-loss medication.

Tirzapatide

Tirzepatide originally appeared under the brand name Mounjaro to treat type 2 diabetes. As Zepbound, it treats obesity in adults with a BMI of 30 or higher. It is a dual-drug containing GLP-1 receptor agonists and GLP-1 receptor agonists to help patients lose weight. These injections work in a manner similar to semaglutide by reducing appetite.

Anticipated Weight Loss Results

Although everyone is different, most patients undergoing obesity treatment experience an average weight loss of 5% to 15% when combined with a reduced-calorie diet and exercise. Studies show that losing even 5% to 10% of excess weight through medication, diet, and increased physical activity can significantly reduce your chance of a heart attack and reduce blood glucose levels. However, patients should note that discontinuing these medications can result in weight regain.

Why Choose VIVAA’s Seattle Weight Loss Clinic?

At VIVAA, our healthcare professionals know that even a small amount of weight loss can significantly impact your overall health. We’re committed to helping you achieve your individual goals and celebrate small wins along the way by creating a personalized program tailored to your needs. Our medical practice offers a variety of FDA-approved weight loss injections and oral medications that work in different ways to meet your specific needs. While weight-loss medication is effective, you should be aware that insurance coverage may not be available for your treatment plan. We will do what we can to make these treatments more affordable!  Schedule your appointment to learn more about weight management in Seattle, Bellevue and adjacent communities by calling 425-250-9999 or completing our Request an Appointment form.