Medical Weight Loss

After going through the process of preparing for and eventually obtaining my board certification in obesity medicine, I found myself experiencing a profound shift in perspective when it came to weight management and obesity. I realized that many of the concepts I had been taught (or hadn't learned) during medical school and residency were entirely off the mark. I hadn't been given a proper understanding of the underlying pathophysiology of obesity or the reasons why some people face greater challenges losing weight compared to others. Most significantly, I came to understand that obesity is often not a matter of personal effort, but rather a complex interplay of neurohormonal and biological factors that require a more nuanced approach.

Medical weight loss management targets the root causes and individual factors contributing to weight gain, aiming to provide sustainable solutions. As an obesity medicine specialist, I can help you develop a personalized medical plan alongside dietitians, exercise specialists, and therapists.

Key Components:

  1. Comprehensive Assessment: Evaluating medical history, lifestyle habits, and psychological factors.

  2. Customized Nutrition Plan: Personalized meal plans designed by a registered dietitian.

  3. Physical Activity Guidance: Tailored exercise regimens developed by exercise specialists.

  4. Behavioral Support: Therapists offer strategies to overcome emotional and psychological barriers.

  5. Medication Management: FDA-approved weight loss medications prescribed when appropriate.

Types of Weight Loss Medications:

  1. Appetite Suppressants: Decrease appetite, examples include phentermine, diethylpropion, and phendimetrazine.

  2. Combination Medications: Target multiple aspects of weight loss, examples include naltrexone-bupropion (Contrave) and phentermine-topiramate (Qsymia).

  3. Fat Absorption Inhibitors: Block dietary fat absorption, example - Orlistat (Xenical, Alli).

  4. GLP-1 Receptor Agonists: Promote weight loss by increasing fullness, examples include liraglutide (Saxenda), semaglutide (Wegovy/Ozempic), and tirzepatide (Mounjaro).