It’s the new year. Did you set some New Year’s resolutions around your weight? Are they the same ones you set last year – and the year before that – and the year before that? People who don’t have to manage their weight take weight management for granted. But if you’re one of the many people who’ve tried again and again to lose weight – or keep the weight you lost off – and it isn’t working, then you could use the help of a weight management doctor.
What is a Weight Management Doctor?
A weight management doctor is a medical doctor who specializes in weight loss and weight management. They generally focus on people who are overweight or obese.
So how do you know if you fall into those categories?
One example is to look at your body mass index (BMI). The BMI standard uses your height and weight to determine how much body mass you have. Overweight usually implies a BMI of 25 to 29.9 kg/m2, while obese usually means a BMI over 30 kg/m2.
However, weight management doctors aren’t just diet doctors. They’re usually family or internal medicine doctors who have additional training in other areas. They can therefore provide a full spectrum of preventative and medical care for people with weight-related conditions.
One important reason you might benefit from a consultation with one of these specialists is that the underlying cause of weight gain often has little to do with diet and exercise alone.
Underlying Causes of Higher Weight Levels
Underlying causes of obesity and higher optimal weight levels can include:
- Cancer
- Digestive disorders
- Endocrine diseases like type 2 diabetes
- Gynecologic problems
- Heart and circulatory conditions
- Joint problems
- Respiratory problems
- Thyroid issues
Are you surprised by the last one on the list, thyroid issues?
Many people are shocked to find out that Americans over the age of 40 have 80% dysfunction of their thyroid glands.
Perhaps that’s made you wonder what the most common symptoms of low thyroid problems in females are. Examples include weight gain and inability to lose weight, dry brittle hair and nails, hair loss, fatigue, and cold hands and feet. If these sound familiar, then it’s a good time to see a weight management doctor.
But wait… there’s more.
For instance, weight gain is often caused by an underlying condition, which can also put you at risk for chronic conditions like
- high blood pressure
- abnormal cholesterol levels
- heart disease
- strokes
- type 2 diabetes
- insulin resistance
Not Convinced About the Weight Management Doctor Yet?
If you aren’t convinced yet that a consultation with a weight management doctor would benefit you, ask yourself these questions.
- Are you ready to lose weight and willing to make lifestyle changes?
- Have you tried various weight loss programs on your own without success?
- Do you have two or more risk factors for major obesity-related complications (coronary artery disease (CAD), high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes)?
- Do you binge, feel distressed, and out of control while overeating?
- Is your BMI greater than 25?
- Does your waist circumference measure greater than 40 inches (men) or 35 inches (women)?
If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, then it’s time to seriously consider a weight loss program or weight management program to help you get your weight under control and get your life back on track.
What Can You Expect From a Consultation With a Weight Management Doctor?
Good weight loss or management programs take a holistic approach to weight management and are tailored to your individual circumstances.
What is a holistic approach?
Firstly, a holistic approach doesn’t just focus on a specific condition. It looks at the whole person. Holistic weight loss considers many factors, including the physical, spiritual, emotional, and mental components that play a role in your body’s ability to reach and maintain a healthy weight.
And secondly, in order to come up with a holistic weight management plan, your weight management doctor will gauge your overall health by
- Evaluating your medical history
- Talking with you about your previous attempts at weight loss
- Performing a physical exam
- Calculating your BMI
- Measuring your waist
- Ordering and interpreting laboratory tests, EKGs (electrocardiograms), and body composition analyses
Once they better understand what’s going on in your body, they’ll diagnose and treat obesity and weight-related health conditions. They’ll also create a weight loss and weight management plan.
This weight management plan could include
- Changes to your diet
- Exercise therapy that makes sense for you
- Behavioral Modification therapy
- Medications or supplements
- Strategies to build resilience against stress
- Hormone Replacement Therapy
- Thyroid hormone supplementation
- B-12 or MIC B-12 Shots
- Journaling
- Joining a support group
- Meditation
- Acupuncture
- Therapy or counseling
- Referrals to weight loss surgeons (in some cases)
One of the most important aspects of a weight loss program or weight management plan is monitoring and support.
That’s because the outcome will depend on not just how much you put into it, but by how much you’re supported by your weight loss team. Supervision by a weight management doctor is crucial, as is encouragement and support from nutritionists, nurse practitioners, trainers, and mental health practitioners. When everyone is working together, your weight loss and weight management journey will be unlike any other that you’ve taken. And the results, not the fat, will stick around!
Let Us Help You Reach Your Health Goals!
Dr. Steven Komadina is recognized around the world as an expert in weight management and healthy nutrition through supplementation and food choices. He supervises our weight loss coaches and ensures they provide one-on-one support to help you
- learn new habits and ways of being
- lose weight
- feel better
- boost your energy
- improve your overall health and wellbeing.
In conclusion, for people who can’t lose weight, weight loss is not as simple as “eat less, exercise more” or “calories in/calories out.”
That’s because weight loss can be very complicated and involve your entire body. This means you’ll have better success in achieving and maintaining your optimal weight with a coach who wants you to succeed.
Please let us help. Let us personalize a program for you. Your perfect weight is literally a phone call away. Contact us for a consultation today!
