If you've been struggling to lose weight on your own, it may be time to talk to a doctor about medically supervised weight loss options. People often assume this means surgery, but bariatric surgeries are just one option for medical weight loss treatment. Most people prefer to try something less invasive and extensive first. Here are a few medical weight loss treatments to try before you explore surgery as a serious option.

Orlistat

Orlistat is a medication often prescribed to patients who are overweight, but not exceedingly so. It can be a great choice for someone struggling to lose those last few pounds. It works by blocking the absorption of fat in your intestines. So, when you eat foods higher in fat, a lot of that fat ends up being passed out in your stool instead of being absorbed into your intestines and utilized as energy. If you take orlistat, you will also need to moderate your fat intake in order to avoid a common side effect: diarrhea. This can give you additional motivation to stick to a healthier diet.

Phentermine

Phentermine is another weight loss drug that works by essentially speeding up your metabolism. You burn more calories by just doing the ordinary activities you do every day, which speeds up your weight loss. Phentermine can make some people feel jittery, and headaches are also a possible side effect. But these side effects do go away quickly once you stop taking the drug. If you struggle with a sluggish metabolism, this can be a good medication to try. Just make sure you work closely with your doctor to monitor any side effects.

Semaglutide

Many people who are overweight struggle to regulate their blood sugar levels. Your body may under-react to insulin, which means your blood sugar levels stay too high while your cells simultaneously don't have the energy they need to function. This, in turn, can cause you to overeat. Therefore, better regulating your blood sugar can go a long way toward helping you lose weight. A medication called semaglutide can help regulate your blood sugar, which should help you gain better control over your eating habits, leading to weight loss. 

Before you resort to weight loss surgery, talk to a doctor about these other options. Weight loss medications have come a long way in recent years, and there are options that work well for many patients. They tend to be safer and less expensive than surgery, too. For more information about other weight loss treatments you can try, reach out to a local clinic.