AdventistHealthPortland.org 7 Would losing a lot of weight boost your health? Have you struggled to find success with diet and exercise alone? If so, you may be wondering if weight-loss drugs or surgery is the right choice for you. It’s important to carefully consider each of these treatments. That’s because success usually comes from a combination of strategies, says Jill Welshans, ACNP, board-certified nurse practitioner specializing in bariatric surgery at Adventist Health Portland. “Diet and exercise generally help people lose 5% of their total body weight,” says Welshans. “Medications can achieve 5% to 20%, and surgery can achieve 20% to 50% of total body weight loss. It all depends on where someone is starting from and their specific goals.” When weighing medical options, Welshans suggests discussing the following in more depth with your doctor: Prescription drugs. Have you read or heard news stories about drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy? “These medications appear to be safe and are more effective than any prior medication option,” says Welshans. But they aren’t for everyone, including people who are or want to become pregnant. Medication coverage varies by your insurance, and some people may have to take the drugs for life to keep the results. Bariatric surgery. Weight-loss surgery, like gastric sleeve and gastric bypass, reduce your stomach size to help you feel full sooner. Surgery is a bigger intervention compared to medication, but it’s a one-time event with lasting results. “Surgery is easier and safer than ever,” Welshans says. “It is a great next step for patients who are looking for additional weight loss beyond what is possible with medications.” A path for lasting wellness Whatever approach you take, you need to partner with an established, accredited program that offers a range of options so that you get a customized treatment plan. Welshans also reminds patients they’ll need to stick to a nutrition plan for success. As she points out, obesity is a complex condition often linked to other health concerns. But as people achieve weight loss, other medical problems often resolve too. Finding meaningful solutions can give you a lifetime of benefits. Weighing Your Weight-Loss Options What’s right for you? To explore your options, contact our metabolic and bariatric surgery program. Learn more at AdventistHealthPortland.org/Bariatric or call Welshans and her team at 503-912-8083. SCAN ME
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