Weight Management Programs in Fargo

At Altaire Clinic, we know there is nothing worse or more frustrating than going on a diet, losing weight, and then regaining all the weight back again. In some cases, after extreme dieting, people may experience excess weight gain. We know that a healthy diet, an effective physical activity program, prescription medication, and support can help a patient lose weight and keep it off.

We believe in long-term weight maintenance and healthy weight management with our program. Through proper education and with the right guidance, our patients who struggle with weight issues can achieve their goal weight and enjoy lasting weight loss results by making long-lasting lifestyle changes. With an individualized weight loss plan, we set our patients up for healthy long-term weight loss success.

ABOUT OBESITY

The prevalence of obesity has been increasing in the United States and has a reached 42.4% (as of 2021).

Obesity is associated with an increase in:

• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• Stroke
• High Blood Pressure
• Dyslipidemia
• Sleep apnea
• Some forms of cancer

Obesity was commonly thought to be only caused by an imbalance in calorie intake and energy expenditure, but there are other risk factors that can contribute to obesity such as:

• Genetic factors
• Medications (corticosteroids, antipsychotics, insulin, sulfonlyureas, thiazolidinediones
• Certain chronic diseases like Cushing’s disease, hypothyroidism, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
• Emerging research points to a disruption in the gastrointestinal (gut) microbiome may also contribute to obesity

NUTRITION

We discuss nutrition options with patients, but do not encourage patients to follow fad diets or do an extremely calorie-restrictive diet, nor do we require patients to cut out food groups from their diet.  We encourage patients to eat a nutritious diet, to eat with their family, and to be mindful of portion size.  We like to individualize a nutrition plan for each unique patient.

During your visit we may discuss:

• Calorie intake
• Macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, fats)
• Portion size
• The “good and bad” with fad diets

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY/EXERCISE

We recommend that patients get regular activity most days out of the week. Some patients may have limitations and health issues or a medical condition that does not allow them to do traditional exercise. In these cases, we work with each patient to help them be as active as they can be, by implementing and encouraging safe and effective activity habits.

The American Heart Association does recommend 150 minutes a week (30 minutes 5 times a week) of physical activity to maintain heart health. Through our expert care and guidance, patients will learn how to make healthy lifestyle choices that provide lasting results, preventing weight gain in the future.

BEHAVIORS

We discuss other factors that can affect weight loss like stress, anxiety, depression, sleep issues, medications, and chronic medical problems. With a behavioral lifestyle program, we address these factors and try to find solutions for these issues to help patients achieve their best function and have the most success with weight loss.

We discuss ways to improve/treat these issues with:

• Therapies
• Medications
• Supplements
• Meditation
• Exercise
• Weaning off medications that can contribute to weight gain, if they are not completely necessary to continue
• Making sure to adequately treat chronic medical problems

MEDICATIONS WITH LIFESTYLE CHANGES

There are medications that are FDA approved for treatment of obesity and we do discuss use of these medications during your visit, if indicated.  These medications are:

• Phentermine/Topiramate (Qsymia)
• Naltrexone/Buproprion (Contrave)
• Orlistat
• Liraglutide (Saxenda)
• Semaglutide (Wegovy)
• Phentermine (Adipex)
• Diethylproprion
• Benzphetamine
• Phendimetrazine
• Lorcaserin (Belviq) – taken off the market in February 2020

LABS

We also sometimes use blood work to look into possible underlying problems that may contribute to weight gain.