In this episode, Laura, a previous guest on the podcast, returns to share more about her successful peer support group for those who have undergone weight loss surgery. The conversation revolves around the value of community and how it provides a sense of connection and understanding for people on their weight loss journeys. Laura's group, lovingly nicknamed "Laura's Losers," meets regularly to offer emotional support, share personal stories, and discuss tips for staying on track.

Laura emphasizes the importance of creating a welcoming, living-room-style atmosphere where participants can openly discuss their struggles, especially around topics like post-op stalls and feeling isolated. She shares her own experiences, including her recent vacation where she was able to indulge mindfully while still staying true to her health goals. This helps alleviate some of the common fears that new patients have about life after surgery.

The conversation touches on the emotional toll of weight loss, particularly the societal pressure and feelings of guilt that many people face. Laura, along with the hosts, stress the importance of self-compassion and avoiding the trap of perfectionism. They remind listeners that there is no "finish line" when it comes to health, and that setbacks are a normal part of the journey.

The episode ends with a discussion of future plans for the group, including in-person meetups and continued support, underscoring the ongoing importance of community in long-term weight loss success.

In this discussion about bariatric meal prep and bariatric meal plans, Kristen Willard shares valuable tips for both patients who have undergone bariatric surgery and patients who are using a non-surgical approach to weight loss. The main focus is simplicity and practicality in creating meal plans. Kristen suggests starting meal prep with the meal you find most difficult, like breakfast, rather than feeling overwhelmed by prepping every meal at once. This gradual approach helps build confidence.

When it comes to bariatric meal prep, Kristen advocates for a flexible, ingredient-focused method. For example, cooking chicken in a slow cooker with salsa can serve as multiple meals, like in a lettuce wrap or a salad. This ensures variety without the need for extensive prep time. Additionally, Kristen emphasizes the importance of flavor to keep meals interesting by changing spices, sauces or dressings, preventing boredom from repetitive meals.

She also discusses strategies for getting kids to eat healthy. Kristen highlights the value of involving children in meal planning and meal prep, making it a family effort. By giving them choices between healthy options, kids feel more empowered and are more likely to enjoy the meals. She encourages parents to lead by example, showing that healthy eating can be enjoyable for everyone in the household.

Finally, Kristen recommends useful kitchen gadgets like an Instant Pot and a vegetable chopper to save time in prepping ingredients, making the process more manageable. Kristen's philosophy is that meal prep doesn’t have to be complicated; focusing on simple steps can lead to sustainable habits.

Can psychiatric medications really lead to dramatic weight gain? Does your socioeconomic status really determine if you’ll end up obese? And is there anything you can do about weight loss plateaus? Join us for an eye-opening episode of the Pound of Cure Weight Loss Podcast.

In today’s episode, we touch on a few key topics related to weight gain and weight loss challenges. First off, we dive into the role of medications that can actually cause weight gain. Things like antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and even birth control can seriously impact your body’s ability to maintain or lose weight. It’s not uncommon for people to be doing everything right with their diet and exercise, but these medications still push their weight up.

We also talk about frustrating weight loss plateaus. Everyone hits them at some point, and the key is not to freak out. Reverting back to only drinking protein shakes, is not going to solve the problem. Small changes—like adjusting your veggie intake or swapping out processed foods for whole foods—can make a big difference. And remember, plateaus are totally normal, so don’t feel like you're failing.

Finally, we touch on how socioeconomic status plays a major role in weight gain. People from lower-income backgrounds often have a harder time losing weight, partly because of limited access to healthier foods. Living in areas where fresh produce is hard to come by (hello, food deserts!) makes sticking to a healthy lifestyle that much tougher.

So, it’s a mix of factors outside your control like medications, hitting plateaus, and even where you live that can affect your weight loss journey.

In this episode, we unpack some fascinating insights from an NBC News article that highlights why most people stop using Wegovy after two years. Dr. Weiner shares his thoughts, explaining that a lack of access due to shortages, high costs, and insurance coverage issues are significant reasons why people discontinue these medications. The Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) who released the data might also have an agenda since they are not keen on covering expensive weight loss medications. Dr. Weiner believes that many people would continue using Wegovy if they had consistent access without these barriers.

We also hear Martin's inspiring weight loss journey. Initially struggling with his weight from a young age, he tried every fad diet before opting for weight loss surgery. Martin shares his experience with the lap band surgery in 2009, which didn’t work out as planned. He eventually transitioned to a gastric bypass after his wake-up call, realizing that he wanted to lead a healthier life for his family. Through a combination of gastric bypass, GLP-1 medications like Mounjaro, and the 10-to-1 protein rule, Martin achieved a significant weight loss. His story underlines the importance of finding a personal "why" and using it as motivation to make lasting lifestyle changes​​.

Dr. Weiner discusses the heritability of weight loss response to gastric bypass surgery, emphasizing that genetic factors often play a significant role in the success of such procedures. He cites a study showing that the genetic relationship between first-degree relatives had a more substantial impact on weight loss success after surgery than merely living together. This highlights the potential genetic influence on how individuals respond to both surgery and weight loss medications​.

We also dive into practical advice on reaching protein goals post-surgery. For those struggling with limited food volume, we recommend strategies like fortifying meals with protein powders and choosing nutrient-dense options like Greek yogurt or smoothies to meet protein targets without consuming large quantities of food. Achieving these protein goals can help speed up weight loss and break through plateaus​​.

Overall, this episode covers the complexities of weight loss, from understanding the barriers to medication adherence to navigating genetic influences and personalizing nutrition strategies.

In this episode, we tackle some hot topics and share inspiring stories. We start with a big piece of news: the CEO of Novo Nordisk being brought before a Senate committee. This is huge because Novo Nordisk is a major player in the GLP-1 medication world, and there's a lot of scrutiny on how these drugs are priced and covered by insurance.

We also dive into the incredible story of Leslie, who needed a combination of nutrition, exercise, GLP-1 medications, and bariatric surgery to lose an astonishing 157 pounds. Her journey is a powerful reminder that weight loss isn't a one-size-fits-all solution and often requires a multifaceted approach.

On a different note, we discuss some eye-opening research showing that obese people tend to earn less money than their non-obese counterparts. This wage gap is especially pronounced as education levels increase, which is both shocking and troubling.

We also get into the nitty-gritty of insurance coverage for GLP-1 medications. It's frustrating to see how many barriers there are for patients trying to get these potentially life-changing drugs. We offer some tips on how to navigate these challenges and advocate for better coverage.

Overall, this episode is packed with important information and real-life stories that highlight the complexities of weight loss and the broader societal issues related to obesity.

In this episode of the Pound of Cure Weight Loss Podcast, we dive into the surprising mental health benefits of GLP-1 medications. We discuss recent studies that debunk the myth of increased risk of suicide and highlight the positive impact these medications have on reducing depression, curbing alcohol and binge eating disorders, and slowing the progression of Parkinson’s.

We dive in to the exorbitant cost of GLP-1 medications and explore potential solutions for affordability. We compare the cost of compounded medications to the FDA approved meds to see whether or not the compounded medications are actually less expensive.

Another key topic covered in this episode is the importance of reframing self-talk to overcome barriers to healthy behaviors. Zoe shares strategies for shifting from justifications like "I don't have time" to a more empowering mindset, encouraging listeners to prioritize their health and wellness.

Finally, we address practical concerns about fruit intake for diabetics, why GLP-1 medications are not suitable for losing the last 10 pounds unless there is a significant medical indication, and the ever-changing insurance coverage for GLP-1 medications.

Tune in to learn more about the transformative potential of GLP-1 medications, practical advice on managing costs, and strategies for reframing your mindset to support your weight loss journey.

Episode 34 of The Pound of Cure Weight Loss Podcast is titled, Will Ozempic Make You Go Blind? The title comes from our In the News segment, where we cover an article from The Hill titled, Ozempic/Wegovy May be Linked to Rare Form of Blindness. If you’re taking this medication, this is probably a very scary headline. And, of course, it’s meant to be so that you click through. So, what is the science behind the headline? Tune in to find out!

We are very excited to bring you this week’s Patient Story segment because we are talking to Dave. You may know him as The Man on Mounjaro or from his podcast, On the Pen. I’ve talked about him, previously, on the podcast because he is a fountain of knowledge on all the weight loss medications in the pipeline. He is going to share his story with you and offer a 1, 3, and 5-year outlook on the future of obesity medications.

In our Nutrition segment, Zoe dives deeper into vegan health halo’s. Some stores are especially good at marketing and packaging products to make them appear healthy. But in reality, they are just as processed and sugary as their non-vegan counterparts.

Finally, we answer 3 of our listeners questions including, alcohol intake after a gastric bypass, tips for fixing your metabolism while recovering from Anorexia, and what to do if you miss a dose of Ozempic.

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Episode 33 of The Pound of Cure Weight Loss Podcast is titled, Do You Have the Obesity Gene? The title comes from our In the News segment, where we dive into an article by CNN titled, Researchers Have Found A ‘Clear Genetic Trigger for Obesity’ that Applies to Some People. According to the University of Exeter, a gene typically responsible for thyroid function and baseline energy expenditure named SMIM1, may be partially to blame for Obesity in those that carry two faulty copies of the gene. So, how does this affect the treatment of Obesity? Tune in to find out!

In our Patient Story, we talk to Kate who had rapid weight gain after a partial hysterectomy due to PCOS. She needed bariatric surgery to get the weight off, but her insurance wouldn’t cover it. So, she went to Mexico for the surgery and joined our nutrition program for her post-op care. She has lost 100 pounds since her surgery and 130 pounds off her highest weight!

In our Nutrition segment, Zoe offers tips on how to add more movement into your day if you work a desk job, without going to the gym or adding an exercise routine into your already hectic schedule.

Since the approval of GLP-1 use for the treatment of Obesity, one of the most frequently asked questions has been, “Why won’t my insurance company cover the medication?” It all comes down to the acronym, QALY. In our Economics of Obesity segment, I break down QALY’s and explain their purpose.

Finally, we answer 3 of our listeners’ questions including, whether or not a sleeve patient can have the LINX procedure, how to maximize protein without eating meat, and how to minimize hair loss after bariatric surgery.