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Is Obesity Curable? And What does it have to do with Oprah Winfrey
By: Scottsdale Weight Loss Center
Published: March 20, 2024
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As a doctor who helps people manage their weight and deal with obesity, I often hear questions like “Can obesity be cured?” and “How long do I have to keep up with the treatment?” To answer these questions, we first need to understand what obesity really is. Obesity is not just about having too much body fat. It is a complicated disease that involves many different factors, and big health organizations like the American Medical Association recognize it as such. It is a long-term disease, much like diabetes or high blood pressure, where a person has too much body fat, usually 20% or more than what is considered healthy. When we say obesity is not “curable,” it might sound scary, but it does not mean that it cannot be managed or that you cannot lose weight. It just means that there is not a one-time fix that makes the disease go away forever. This is because obesity is a long-term disease, and it tends to stick around, just like diabetes or high blood pressure. Even after you lose weight, your body has ways of making you gain it back, like making you feel hungrier, not feeling full after eating, or slowing down how fast you burn calories. These are all natural reactions your body has to losing weight, which makes keeping the weight off tough. So, treatment needs to keep going, just like it does for high cholesterol, diabetes, and many kinds of cancer. But just because obesity cannot be cured does not mean it cannot be treated. The goal is not to reach a “perfect” weight, but to lower the health risks that come with obesity. This can include changing your diet, becoming more active, and taking medications. Oprah Winfrey announced that she has used new GLP-1 weight loss medications that has finally made losing and keeping off her excess weigh achievable. She has spent many years dieting but keeping it off has been very difficult. Oprah’s heroic announcement that medications were a part of her solution gives hope to those who suffer with obesity. By finally recognizing that obesity is a medical disease, she was able to accept that prescription drugs were a necessary part of the solution. Changing your lifestyle, like eating healthier and exercising regularly, is usually the first step in treating obesity. But everyone’s body is different, so what works for one person might not work for another. Sometimes, when these changes are not enough or when obesity is causing other severe health problems, medications or surgery might be needed. These can help a lot with weight loss and improving your health, but they also come with risks and possible side effects. In conclusion, while we cannot completely cure obesity, we can treat it comprehensively, getting your weight down and your body healthier . Successful treatment greatly improves your life and lowers your risk for other health problems. As your weight loss doctor, my job is to help and support you on your weight loss journey, offering a treatment plan that works for you and can be maintained in the long run.
Nick
Nick's Story
"I wish I would have come here first. We spend all our time reacting to the next great weight loss tip or program. It might work for a while, but does not last and we end up yo-yoing from one fad to the next – as we gain more weight." Read More
Gina
Lost 44.5 lbs
"I had no trouble adhering to the meals and they really helped catapult my progress! The classes were so beneficial to me because they helped change my thinking about how I viewed health, nutrition, and fitness.
I will always have my relationship with Scottsdale Weight Loss Center. They truly helped me change my life forever." Read More
Lauren
Lost 60 lbs
"Dr. Ziltzer and everyone who I have come in contact with at the Scottsdale Weight Loss office have been so encouraging and I look forward to seeing them each week. It is now a year and 2 months later since I started. I am down 60 lbs., which is the average amount a 9-year-old weighs, it is crazy to think I lost a whole person! I feel amazing, I hit my goal weight in November 2021 just before Thanksgiving. Nothing on my body hurts anymore..." Read More
Chuck
Lost 66 lbs
"The best thing I did was call the Scottsdale Weight Loss Center. I have a lot more energy, I'm not hungry, and it feels great.
You can take it from me that this is a program that produces results. The staff is always positive, supportive, and never judgmental.
Your visits always result in positive reinforcement, no matter if you had a good week or a bad week." Read More
Emily
Lost 101 lbs
"Here I am at the lowest I have been since high school weighing in at 155lbs. I have lost 101 lbs, BMI of 39 when I started, to 21.6, and of course at body fat % of 47.1 to 26.5%. I told myself by my 30th birthday I wanted to be confident in the way I look and I owe it all to SWLC. The entire staff is so welcoming and they are rooting for you just as much as you are rooting for yourself...." Read More
Reviews
Meet Our Team
Robert Ziltzer, MD, FACP, FAAP, FOMA
Obesity Medicine Certified Physician
Diana Bone, FNP-C
Specializing in Obesity Medicine
Craig Primack, MD, FACP, FAAP, MFOMA
Obesity Medicine Certified Physician
Kristen Ash, FNP-C, FNP-BC
Nurse Practitioner
Alicia Earley, FNP-C
Family Nurse Practitioner
