Weight Management
When you're eating reasonably and moving when you can, it's natural to expect the scale to move the way it should. But if nothing changes, or the number creeps upward, you may start to wonder what you're doing wrong.
The scale, however, isn't always a true measure of effort. What it shows often reflects several biological and hormonal factors, rather than simply a lack of willpower.
Not every weight struggle has the same cause. For some people, hunger and cravings are the main issue. For others, it's blood sugar swings, hormonal shifts, or how the body handles insulin. In many cases, it's a combination, which is why the first step is working out what's actually happening and getting in the way.
What affects body weight?
Body weight is shaped by more than just consuming more calories than you burn. Certain hormones signal when you're hungry, when you're full, and how your body uses and stores energy. GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) is one of them. The gut releases this hormone after eating, helping your body manage blood sugar and energy use.
GLP-1 tells the brain you've had enough food, signaling satiety. It slows how quickly food leaves the stomach so you feel full for longer. Also, it helps regulate blood sugar by prompting insulin release when necessary. It helps the body absorb glucose properly without unnecessary spikes.
When this signaling is weaker, appetite and cravings can be harder to manage, and weight loss can be harder through diet and exercise alone. Insufficient GLP-1 disrupts processes that help maintain a healthy weight and stable blood sugar.
What can get in the way of weight management?
- Appetite and fullness signaling: weaker fullness signals can lead to bigger meals and more frequent/mindless snacking.
- Blood sugar swings: spikes and crashes in blood sugar can increase cravings and the risk of overeating.
- Hormonal imbalances: shifts in hormones can affect appetite, metabolism, and how the body stores fat.
- Insulin resistance: when the body responds less well to insulin, managing both blood sugar and weight becomes harder.
- Metabolic conditions: such as type 2 diabetes, which are closely linked with excess weight.
Telling these apart takes a medical assessment, which looks at your health history, your habits, and what weight loss or management options you've already tried.
What Can Help
At Cutis Medical Laser Clinics, we take a doctor-led approach to weight management. We start with a consultation to understand your health history, your goals, and what has and hasn't worked for you.
Medical (doctor-led)
GLP-1 Medication mimics the natural GLP-1 hormone to help reduce appetite and slow stomach emptying. It increases the feeling of fullness, making it easier to eat less. GLP-1 medications were originally developed to manage blood sugar in type 2 diabetes and are also prescribed for weight management.
They're prescription-only, so they're available only after a consultation, and your doctor will tailor the medication and dose to you. They work best alongside a balanced diet and regular activity.
Lifestyle
- Follow a balanced diet you can realistically keep up.
- Move regularly, in ways you'll stick with.
- Get enough sleep and stay hydrated.
- Manage stress. Chronic stress can cause weight gain through hormonal fluctuations.
- Skip over-the-counter diet pills and supplements, which are unregulated.
- Never buy prescription weight management medication from unregulated sellers, including salons and social media.
- Keep up healthy habits long term, since weight management is ongoing.
What to Expect
Since GLP-1 medications work by reducing appetite, change is gradual, and many people notice effects within the first few weeks to months. Results vary from person to person.
Side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, or abdominal discomfort are most common at the start. They usually ease as your body adjusts; your doctor can help manage them.
Treatment involves regular follow-ups so your doctor can see how you're responding and adjust the plan. Stopping the medication without keeping up healthy habits can lead to weight regain, so your doctor will talk through what the longer term looks like for you.
When Treatment Isn't the Answer
GLP-1 medications aren't intended for casual weight loss. They're generally considered for adults with a BMI of 30 or higher, or a BMI of 27 or higher alongside a weight-related health condition such as type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure.
These medications aren't suitable for everyone, including people who are pregnant, trying to conceive, or breastfeeding. Some medical conditions and medications can rule them out, which is why your doctor reviews your health history first.
If your concern is fat in specific areas or loose skin after losing weight, other approaches may suit you better. And if your weight has changed suddenly or without a clear reason, it's worth seeing a doctor to rule out an underlying cause.
FAQs
Are GLP-1 medications safe?
When prescribed and monitored by a doctor, they're generally well tolerated, but they aren't suitable for everyone. That's why a consultation and a review of your health history are the first steps.
Do I need a prescription?
Yes. GLP-1 medications are prescription-only, and they shouldn't be bought from unregulated sellers such as salons or social media.
What are the common side effects?
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal discomfort are the most common, particularly early on. These usually improve as your body adjusts, and your doctor can help manage them.
Will the weight come back if I stop?
It can, if healthy habits aren't maintained. Weight management is ongoing, and your doctor will talk through a longer-term plan with you.
Can I combine GLP-1 medication with other treatments?
It's best to discuss this with your doctor, who can build a plan around your health and your goals.
The information on this page is intended for educational purposes and does not replace a proper diagnosis. Every case is different, so the right next step is a consultation with our medical team.
Related Body Concerns
Ready to find out what's behind your body concern?
Book a personalized consultation with us to talk through what you're noticing and explore the treatment options that suit your body and your goals. WhatsApp us at +65 9780 2079 to book a consultation at Cutis Medical Laser Clinics in Singapore.
