“I want to lose weight. Should I consider a weight loss doctor?”

I believe that everyone that is overweight or obese wants to lose that weight.  From a health standpoint, this will reduce the chances of co-morbidities such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, various cancers etc.   If any of these co-morbidities are already present, successful weight loss will result in dramatic improvement and reducing medications being used.

From a self-esteem and sell-confidence standpoint, successful weight loss will most definitely produce heightened self-image, improved energy and also a more youthful look.

Deciding what steps/path to take can be quite confusing.  We are all constantly bombarded with tv commercials and informercials, radio/print ads and television programs that supposedly have the “miracle” approach to successful weight loss.  Americans are spending 67 BILLION dollars a year on their weight loss efforts. Despite all of these expenditures, the obesity epidemic is worsening.  What we are doing collectively is just not working.

Should you consider visiting a physician that specializes in weight loss?  My answer is that if you have tried more than 2 attempts via non-physician efforts and find yourself back at your old weight despite these efforts, then it is time to turn to a professional.  

Physicians can offer you a medical ‘jumpstart” that often allows you to experience much more weight loss than you could achieve in non-physician monitored efforts.  This medical “jumpstart” provides a great psychological “boost” that empowers the person to want to continue her/his efforts.  Moreover, the support that regular visits can provide go a long way in helping achieve behavior modification and lifestyle changes that are the core of long-term weight loss.  

Now, it is important to remember that not all weight loss doctors provide the same type of service.  My advice:  Beware of physicians that have you buying lots of shakes, bars and/or prepackaged meals.  These types of programs will in fact result in rapid initial weight loss, but I will almost guarantee you that once the person goes back to eating “real food” all of the weight will return.  Also, be very leery of any physician-monitored program where you are given HCH shots and a very low calorie dietary plan.  Once again, recidivism rates are extraordinarily high. 

Do not be embarrassed about reaching out for help.  If it was easy to do this on your own, 68% of Americans would not be overweight.  A doctor-monitored weight loss program may provide the long term solution to a very dangerous problem.

About the Author 

Dr. Posner is a Northern Virginia weight loss doctor with the The Serotonin-Plus Weight Loss Program™. Connect with him on Google+.