The increasing global prevalence of obesity necessitates the need for professionals who can effectively aid in weight management and weight loss. One of these professionals are weight loss doctors, often termed as bariatric physicians. Their work primarily involves diagnosing and treating overweight and obese patients by means of comprehensive approaches that may include diet and nutrition, exercise, behavior change, and also, when necessary, prescription medication or procedural treatments like bariatric surgery. One of the well-known hubs advancing in this field is bariatric surgery Los Angeles.
The Role and Expertise of Weight Loss Doctors
Weight loss doctors are licensed physicians who specialize in helping people lose weight and maintain a healthy body. They are typically trained in disciplines such as nutrition, physiology, and endocrinology and have a comprehensive understanding of how the body manages weight.
They use a variety of tools to help patients achieve their weight loss goals, including structured weight loss programs, medication if required, and even surgery for those who are severely obese or have obesity-related comorbidities. They also provide long-term follow-up care to ensure patients maintain their ideal weight. This could include nutrition counseling and adjustments to diet plans, medication regimens or exercise programs.
Bariatric Surgery Los Angeles
In places with high obesity prevalence such as Los Angeles, bariatric surgery has been increasingly seen as an effective solution. Bariatric surgery includes procedures like gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, adjustable gastric band, and biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch.
Clinics performing bariatric surgery Los Angeles are offering these surgeries as part of their comprehensive weight loss treatment plans. The key here lies in their approach: these procedures are not an isolated solution, but rather a tool in the path towards sustained weight loss, along with post-surgery dietary counseling, exercise plans and possible counselling sessions to ensure the patient is psychologically adjusted to their new lifestyle.
When patients decide to opt for bariatric surgery, weight loss doctors ensure that they meet the necessary medical criteria for the procedure, which usually includes a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or higher, or a BMI of 35 or higher with an obesity-related health issue like diabetes or hypertension.
What to expect from a Weight Loss Doctor’s Consultation
During a weight loss consultation, doctors gather comprehensive health history to understand potential factors contributing to the patient’s weight gain. Any existing medical conditions, lifestyle, and eating habits are all part of this review. Furthermore, they perform a thorough physical examination and may order additional diagnostic testing to exclude any underlying conditions causing weight gain.
On the basis of these findings, weight loss doctors devise a personalized weight loss plan for the patient, including nutrition and exercise guidelines. Depending on the severity of obesity and the presence of any associated co-morbidities, medication or even bariatric surgery might be recommended.
It’s important to note that the road to weight loss is often a steady path instead of a quick fix. It requires a combination of the right tools and strategies, and most importantly, the determination to follow through with the plan. Weight loss doctors – be it a prescribing physician or a surgeon specializing in bariatric surgery Los Angeles – all aim to provide patients with the safest, most effective weight loss solutions.