The perfect diet? No such thing.
By Dr. Kelsey Lee of Avera Medical Group Sibley
“Lose 80 pounds without diet or exercise with this simple trick!” “How do celebrities stay so thin?” “Get slim quick by cutting out this surprising food!” For decades, we have been bombarded with ads like these that have told us how to manage extra weight. For most people struggling to manage extra weight, it is neither “simple” nor “easy”. Obesity is the most prevalent chronic disease in our society. To make matters worse, people suffering from obesity are often righteously shamed and stigmatized. The truth is, obesity is NEVER a moral failing. Obesity is a chronic, relapsing, multi-factorial neurobehavioral disease with metabolic, biomechanical, and psychosocial health consequences. Obesity can affect every organ in the body and is linked to at least 13 types of cancer. Just as it is important to treat hypertension, cancer, and depression, it is just as important to address obesity.
Achieving and maintaining weight loss takes attention and (often times) changes in diet, exercise, stress management, and/or changes to your current prescription medicines. For some, it can also require FDA-approved weight-loss medications and even surgery to appropriately manage. The entire process requires support and accountability. Not only can I offer you encouragement on this journey, I can help design and adjust a tailored weight loss experience for you in a bias-free environment in order for you to achieve your goals for managing extra weight. Personally, I have found great satisfaction helping patients reach their weight goals and find the fellowship aspect as we journey through the ups and downs fulfilling.
Weaving in all aspects – weight history, medical history, mental health history, lifestyle habits, family history and even your motivation for weight loss are all important for me to understand as I create a plan of action and help devise an evidence-based treatment approach that will work best for you as a person – not just for your weight.
Feeling motivated to make a change and knowing what to do first can be overwhelming. It can be frustrating when you do not see your efforts reflected on the scale because the weight is just not letting up. The temptation to accept the status quo can feel insurmountable.
Now offering medical advice at Avera Medical Group Sibley, I look forward to meeting patients who may be struggling with their weight health and introduce them to programs to aid them in achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. Call Avera Medical Group Sibley to schedule your appointment today at 712-754-3658.