When to Contact a Medical Professional

Contact your health care provider if the following symptoms occur along with the Weight gain:

* Constipation
* Excessive Weight gain without a known cause
* Hair loss
* Sensitivity to cold
* Swollen feet and shortness of breath
* Uncontrollable hunger accompanied by palpitations, tremor, and sweating
* Vision changes

Your health care provider will perform a physical examination, measure your Weight, and ask questions about your Weight gain, such as:

* How much Weight have you gained?
* When did the Weight gain begin?
* Did it come on suddenly or slowly?
* Have there been changes in your diet or appetite?
* Has your physical activity been restricted due to illness or injury?
* Has your participation in social activities decreased?
* Are you anxious, depressed, or under stress?
* Do you have a history of depression?
* What other symptoms do you have?
* What medications do you take?
* Do you use alcohol or street drugs?
* Does the Weight gain cause you much concern?

Tests that may be done include:

* Nutritional assessment
* Blood tests including chemistry profile
* Measurement of hormone levels

Weight gain caused by emotional problems may require psychological counseling. Talk to your provider about an appropriate diet and exercise program and realistic Weight loss goals. If Weight gain is caused by a physical illness, treatment (if there is any) for the underlying cause will be prescribed.



If Weight continues to be a problem despite diet and exercise, talk with your health care provider about other treatment options, including medications and surgery.

¿Where can I get more information?

* Your pharmacist can provide more information about Weight loss.

* Remember, keep all medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed

10 Tips About How to Lose Weight

1. Set realistic goals - You didn't put on extra weight overnight so it is equally unrealistic to take it off quickly. Record a goal that you can reach in one month that is 4 to 8 pounds less than you weigh now. Set a goal you know you can achieve.
   
   
2. Spread your calories around - Divide your calorie goal by the number of meals (at least three) so that you eat about the same amount of calories at each meal. If meals are more than 500 calories, save some calories for snacks between meals. Make sure you eat at least 1200 calories each day or you will lose muscle.
   
   
3. Diet foods not required - Eat regular foods rather than the "sugar free", "lite" or "fat free" versions (except soda beverages and milk) because the calories in these "diet" foods still count towards your total calories each day. Diet foods are usually not as satisfying or filling so you may eat more of them. Drink fat free or skim milk so you can add some fat at meals. If you only drink 1% milk, then cut added fat in half at meals. If you drink 2% (low fat) milk, then don't add any fat to food at meals. Eat the basic food groups at meals - lean meat, legumes, dairy, fruits and vegetables. Then add one or two servings of whole grains or starches each meal to reach your calorie goal. Include eight ounces of milk and one serving of whole grains, fruits and vegetables at each meal to provide carbohydrate fuel for your brain and muscles. You need at least 100 grams of carbohydrate each day.
   
   
4. Drastic changes not recommended - The plan you follow to lose weight should be built on the how you eat now modified by these ten changes. A weight loss plan should be a plan you can follow for a lifetime by making small changes in the portion sizes you eat once you reach your goal weight so that you can maintain a healthy weight. Try the Healthy Body Calculator to calculate your basal calorie needs (don't include activity) at your current weight and your goal weight. There may be as little as a 10 calorie increase per day for each pound of body weight you gain over a year.
   
   
5. Portion control - Control meal portions to a piece of lean meat as big as the back of your hand from your knuckles to where your wrist bends and as thick as your little finger or about the size of a deck of cards. Other foods like whole grains, vegetables and fruits can be portioned to 2 heaping serving tablespoons or approximately ½ cup each per meal. Measure how many ounces are in your beverage glass or mug so that you pour 4 or 8 ounces portions.
   
   
6. Cook it yourself - Bake, broil or steam food rather than frying. Consider cooking from scratch more often so you know what is in the food you eat.
   
   
7. Some fat is OK - Limit added fat to 1 teaspoon (margarine or mayonnaise or oil) or 1 tablespoon of salad dressing per meal if this doesn't exceed your calorie goal. You can choose to put margarine on your potato or salad dressing on your salad, but not both. To limit salad dressing and make it go farther, serve your salad dressing on the side of your salad and then dip your fork in the dressing before spearing each mouthfulof salad.
   
   
8. Sugar is not evil - You just can't afford the calories. Sugar only contains carbohydrate so use an artificial sweetener in beverages or drink sugar-free soda in reasonable amounts.
   
   
9. Alcohol in moderation - Alcoholic beverages are just as empty of nutrients as sugar, but your liver processes them like fat. If you drink, limit yourself to one drink per day (12 ounce beer or 4 ounces wine or 1 ½ ounces distilled liquor) and then only add fat to one meal that day.
   
   
10. Have your cake too? - Probably not. Desserts are mostly fat and sugar which will put you over your calorie goal for the day.