Tell me if this sounds familiar. You’re watching television (insert your favorite series, sport, etc. here), and an advertisement for a prescription medication comes on. The ad doesn’t last the typical thirty seconds. No. It’s at least a full minute long. A big portion of that time is spent listing all the possible side effects that may be caused by the medication. You probably ask yourself, “Who would want to take that medicine with the risk of experiencing all those side effects?” Listing the dangers of obesity feels very similar.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) outlines The Health Effects of Overweight and Obesity on its website. It cuts to the chase quickly and puts “all-causes of death (mortality)” at the top of its list. Then, it goes into more specific, chronic conditions that can eventually contribute to its first line item; high blood pressure, high HDL cholesterol (the number you want to be low), low LDL cholesterol (the number you want to be high), high triglycerides and type 2 diabetes.
Of course, those issues contribute to coronary heart disease and stroke, which are also on the list. Lesser-known problems like gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, breathing problems, many types of cancer, low quality of life, mental illness and body pain round out the CDC’s list. After considering all these things, you might ask yourself, “Who would want to risk experiencing all these effects?”
I know that no one actively chooses to take these risks. There are many factors that contribute to obesity, some of which can’t be controlled. Genetics certainly can’t be controlled. Weight can also be a result of one’s environment. I also realize that people struggling with their weight have probably tried to lose it on their own only to end up disappointed in themselves.
For anyone who has endured these excuses and experiences, a medically guided weight loss program, and possibly surgery, might be the solution. Under the supervision of a physician, these programs may include one or more features:
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- Non-surgical weight loss program featuring appetite suppressant medication, dietary plan, exercise counseling, vitamin B12 injections, vitamin optimization, protein supplements and monitoring of body composition (muscle, water and fat)
- Mental counseling
- Surgical weight loss solution such as gastric bypass, gastric sleeve or duodenal switch
My team and I at Heartland Weight Loss Clinic offer these services so our patients don’t have to endure the long list of obesity’s effects. Plans and recommendations are customized according to each patient’s needs. We can even help get approval from your insurance to help cover the costs. No one should have to ask themselves, “Why am I putting myself at risk to experience all these things?” Heartland Weight Loss Clinic has support and solutions available.