- Medications
- Precautions
- What precautions should you take with prescription weight loss pills?
- Over-the-Counter Pills
- Are over-the-counter pills effective at flattening your stomach?
- Weight Loss Surgery
- Is bariatric surgery effective in flattening your stomach?
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- What are the most effective ways to flatten your stomach?
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While there is no pill that can flatten your stomach, prescription drugs approved by the FDA for treating obesity include: Adipex-P, Lomaira, and Xenical
While there is no pill or medication that can flatten your stomach, prescription drugs approved by the FDA for treating obesity include:
- Adipex-P and Lomaira (phentermine)
- Xenical (orlistat)
These drugs are most effective for people who have a body mass index above 27 (overweight) and 30 (obese). Both drugs may result in an average loss of 5-22 pounds in one year:
- Phentermine: Phentermine works by suppressing appetite or making you feel full for longer. It is available in combination with Qsymia (topiramate) for weight loss.
- Orlistat: Orlistat works by decreasing the absorption of fat in the gut and helps remove 30% of the fat that you eat. It is recommended to supplement the drug with diet and exercise in order to maximize benefits. Orlistat can cause severe side effects such as kidney damage, and you must consider the risks carefully before you decide to take the medication.
Other pills that can help you get a flat stomach include:
- Contrave (naltrexone/bupropion)
- Benzphetamine
- Diethylpropion
- Phendimetrazine
What precautions should you take with prescription weight loss pills?
Side effects caused by prescription weight loss pills may cause more harm than good. Before you start using any kind of drug, keep the following things in mind:
- Follow your doctor’s instructions and dosage.
- Obtain them only from a trusted pharmacy or from your doctor.
- Do not solely rely on weight loss pills for slimming down.
- Read the warnings mentioned on the label before use and discuss them with your doctor.
- If you do not see results within 12 weeks of starting the medications, ask your doctor whether you should stop taking them.
- Never take them during pregnancy or if you are planning a pregnancy.
- Be aware of drug interaction between these medications and so-called weight loss herbal teas.
Are over-the-counter pills effective at flattening your stomach?
Little is known about the safety and effectiveness of many over-the-counter (OTC) weight loss products because the FDA does not regulate the purity of these products. Many OTC products contain herbal and plant extracts, which may interact with other medications you are taking for certain conditions.
Stimulant pills that contain caffeine work by speeding up your metabolism and may help you lose belly fat. However, they come with side effects such as stimulation of the cardiovascular system, which can cause symptoms such as high heart rate and increased blood pressure. These can increase your risk of irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) and subsequent cardiac arrest or heart attack in the long term.
Therefore, talk to your doctor if you are planning to take OTC products or supplements to aid in your weight loss journey.
Is bariatric surgery effective in flattening your stomach?
Bariatric surgery is a good option for people who are morbidly obese and are at high risk of heart disease. This procedure is recommended for people who have abdominal obesity that has failed to respond to lifestyle modifications and prescription medications.
Bariatric surgery shrinks your stomach by cutting a part of it. This makes you feel satiated earlier than you would normally.
Some procedures such as gastric bypass surgery reduce the nutrient absorption so that you accumulate less fat in your body, including the abdomen. Gastric bypass surgery can also affect the secretion of certain hormones that makes you hungry. These hormones include hunger-reducing hormones peptide YY(PYY) and glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) which play a role in appetite control.
What are the most effective ways to flatten your stomach?
Core exercises, aerobic workouts, resistance training, and following healthy dietary practices are the most effective ways to flatten your abdomen. Exercises that target your core can help you flatten and tone the muscles around your midsection without losing many pounds.
Simple core-strengthening exercises include:
- Planks (basic plank and climbing plank)
- Bicycle crunches
- Burpees
- Leg raises
- Crunches
Healthy dietary practices include:
- Eating more protein
- Having fewer portions of carbs and high-fat foods
- Minimizing sugary drinks and processed foods
- Avoiding alcohol completely or having it in moderation
- Minimizing salt intake
Achieving a flatter stomach requires regular physical activity and consuming fewer calories. Consider consulting a certified dietician and fitness expert who can help create a healthy diet and exercise routine that fits your lifestyle.
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References
Image Source: iStock Images
Prescription Medications to Treat Overweight & Obesity. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/weight-management/prescription-medications-treat-overweight-obesity
Try These Ab Workouts to Strengthen Your Core. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/try-these-ab-workouts-to-strengthen-your-core/
