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11
Meetu
Agrawal, MD
healthy
Weight
Reachingand
maintaining
ahealthyweight
are the basic tools.
Sometimes, however,
diet and exercise alone
aren’t enough to help
people lose sufficient
amounts of weight to
improve their health.
In that case, medicines
or surgery may be
an option.
Prescription weight loss medicines
work by curbing appetite or limiting the
body’s absorption of fat.
Bariatric surgery could be an option
if your BMI is 40 or more or if you have
a weight-related health condition, such
as type 2 diabetes, and your BMI is 35
or greater.
Having bariatric surgery requires a
lifelong commitment to healthy eating,
exercise and long-term medical follow-up.
You should discuss the risks, benefits
and required lifestyle changes with your
doctor before making a decision.
Discover a new you
“Think of your weight-loss efforts as a
new way of life, rather than a quick fix.
Your doctor can help you get started
today,” advises Dr. Agrawal.
A free
Healthy Weight
booklet can help you maintain a healthy weight.
Visit
askAAMC.org/Magazine
or call
443-481-5555
to request yours today.
Journey
to better health
Since having weight loss surgery,
Susan Dennis’ health has
improved in the following ways:
››
To date, she has lost 125 pounds.
››
Her blood pressure has
normalized and she no
longer takes medication.
››
Her diabetes is gone.
She has normal A1C and
glucose levels and no longer
takes medications.
››
Her high cholesterol returned
to normal levels.
››
Her mild sleep apnea is gone.
››
Feelings of depression and
sadness have been replaced
with “nothing but positivity.”
“I feel more alive than I have
ever felt in my life,” says Susan.