About Obesity and Weight Gain
Obesity is medically defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, while a person who is overweight falls between 25 and 29.9. BMI is one useful marker, but we always consider it alongside other factors such as body composition, waist circumference and metabolic lab work.
Weight gain becomes a medical concern when it disrupts blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol, hormone balance or quality of life. Your first visit with us will include a detailed medical history evaluation along with lab work to check your thyroid function, insulin, hormones and metabolic markers. We use this information to build your customized treatment plan.
What Symptoms Accompany Obesity and Weight Gain?
Excess weight can be accompanied by persistent fatigue that does not improve with rest, as well as brain fog. You may experience joint pain in the knees, hips or back, along with snoring or other symptoms of sleep apnea. Along with weight gain, you may also notice low libido, mood changes and irregular cycles. Our free hormone imbalances quizzes for women and men can help you identify any patterns that may be pointing toward hormonal causes of weight gain.
What Causes Obesity and Weight Gain?
- Hormonal Imbalances: Low testosterone, perimenopausal and menopausal shifts in estrogen, thyroid dysfunction and elevated cortisol all slow metabolism and promote fat storage, especially around the midsection.
- Insulin Resistance: When cells stop responding to insulin, the body stores more fat and amplifies hunger signaling, which makes weight loss difficult.
- Age-Related Metabolic Slowdown: Muscle mass and basal metabolic rate decline starting in your 30s, and makes weight maintenance progressively harder.
- Medications: Antidepressants, beta blockers, corticosteroids, insulin and some hormonal contraceptives are commonly associated with weight gain.
- Sleep and Stress: Poor sleep and chronic stress elevate cortisol and ghrelin, which drive cravings and visceral fat storage.
- Lifestyle Inputs: Processed foods, sedentary work, regular alcohol or recreational drug use and inconsistent eating patterns disrupt metabolic regulation.
Treatments for Obesity and Weight Gain
GLP-1 Weight Loss Injections
GLP-1 receptor agonists slow gastric emptying and regulate appetite signaling in the brain. They also improve insulin sensitivity. Most patients self-administer their weekly subcutaneous injection at home after a training session in our office. We start with low doses and increase gradually to reduce side effects like nausea and to give your body time to adjust. Throughout your treatment, we will recheck your labs to confirm the effectiveness of the treatment and make sure we have the correct dosing.
B-12 Shots
Our lipotropic B12 (MIC) injections combine vitamin B-12 with methionine, inositol and choline to support fat metabolism, liver function and energy production. This treatment can help you feel more energetic and capable of exercising in the weeks following your treatment. Lipotropic shots are often paired with GLP-1 therapy to help offset fatigue and improve fat synthesis and nutrient intake.
HI-EMT Body Sculpting
HI-EMT body sculpting uses high-energy focused electromagnetic waves to trigger supramaximal muscle contractions in areas like the abdomen, glutes and arms. The 100% contraction of these muscles also causes fat cells in the area to break down and be excreted by the body. A single 30-minute session delivers the equivalent of about 5.5 hours of exercise. One treatment course can increase muscle mass by 16% and reduce fat by 19%, and it can be used to complement medical weight loss by targeting particularly stubborn areas.
Sermorelin
Sermorelin stimulates your pituitary gland to release more growth hormone naturally. This supports lean muscle preservation, fat metabolism, deeper sleep and faster recovery from exercise, all of which help with sustained weight loss. Sermorelin is often used alongside hormone optimization and works particularly well for patients in their 40s and beyond who are noticing the metabolic effects of age.
Phentermine
Phentermine is an FDA-approved appetite suppressant that works on the central nervous system to reduce hunger and increase energy. It can be especially useful in the early phase of treatment when two or three weeks of extra support is needed to break old eating habits. Our physicians monitor blood pressure, heart rate and other markers closely throughout your protocol to ensure phentermine is suitable for your situation.
Oxytocin
Oxytocin can be used for its role in appetite regulation, stress response and emotional eating patterns. Oxytocin therapy can help reduce cravings driven by stress or emotional triggers rather than physical hunger. We may recommend oxytocin if your weight challenges are tied closely to mood, stress or relationship dynamics that have not responded to other interventions.
Hormone Replacement Therapy
As men and women age, hormonal changes can make weight management increasingly difficult. Declining levels of testosterone in men and women, and declining estrogen and progesterone in women, are often associated with a slower metabolism, increased fat storage around the abdomen and organs, reduced muscle mass, lower energy levels, and increased insulin resistance.
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) can help address these age-related hormonal imbalances, allowing the body to function more efficiently. While HRT is not a weight-loss treatment by itself, restoring hormones to optimal levels may make it easier for older adults to lose excess body fat, maintain lean muscle, improve energy, and achieve better lasting results from healthy eating and exercise programs.
For men going through andropause or Low T, Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) has been shown to support increased muscle mass and strength while helping reduce visceral abdominal fat. Since muscle tissue burns more calories than fat tissue, improved body composition can lead to a higher resting metabolic rate.
For women, Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) may help counteract the hormonal shifts associated with perimenopause and menopause that often contribute to weight gain, especially around the midsection.
By improving energy, sleep quality, mood, and metabolic function, properly managed hormone therapy can help both men and women feel more motivated and physically capable of maintaining an active lifestyle, which is essential for long-term weight management and healthy aging.
Schedule Your Obesity and Weight Gain Evaluation in Hayward, CA
If excess weight persists despite all of your efforts, the next step is an evaluation at Balanced Medical Solutions. Our $99 weight loss evaluation includes the initial visit and lab work. Balanced Medical Solutions serves patients throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, including San Leandro, Castro Valley, Union City, Oakland, San Jose and San Mateo.
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