Best Obesity Doctor Near Me in San Antonio, TX

The primary goal of obesity treatment is sustainable weight management. This means that you are able to lose excess body fat while cultivating habits and behaviors that will keep the weight off. Below are common forms of self-care that are usually recommended for weight loss:

- Dietary changes: Reducing your caloric intake, and selecting healthy foods that provide proper nutrition are key components to weight management. Avoid fried food or food that is overly salty, fatty, or sugary. You can work with a nutritionist or dietician to create a meal plan that restricts certain foods (such as high-fat or high-carbohydrate foods) while increasing your intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein.

- Exercise: Increasing your physical activity is key to weight loss. It is generally recommended that you aim for at least 150 minutes (or 30 minutes a day) of moderate exercise. To prevent injury, gradually increase your activity levels. Start with low-impact aerobic exercises such as walking, cycling, or swimming to build your fitness. Additionally, work in daily measures such as walking 10,000 steps a day and using the stairs instead of an elevator to increase your aerobic capacity without overloading yourself.

- Therapy: There are support groups and mental health therapies that can help you address your behavioral habits, and the stress surrounding weight loss. These programs can help you learn to cope with stress without binge eating, understand your triggers, and practice healthy habits. Support groups can help you talk through your weight loss journey with other individuals who are dealing with the same things.

If lifestyle changes and medication are not effective, your doctor may recommend weight loss surgery to limit the amount of food you are able to eat. The two primary types of weight loss surgery are:

- Gastric bypass surgery: In this surgery, a small pouch is created at the top of the stomach and linked to the small intestine. This essentially limits the size of the stomach, which can reduce the amount of food you are able to eat before feeling full.

- Gastric sleeve/ gastric banding: A gastric sleeve involves removing part of the stomach, leaving only a slender sleeve for food. This can limit your caloric intake, as it reduces the amount of food you are able to eat before feeling full. Gastric banding involves pulling a band around the stomach to separate the stomach into two pouches. This effectively limits the size of the stomach, which can reduce the amount of food you need to eat before feeling full.

Weight-loss surgery can be undone if you do not accompany the procedure with healthy eating habits and lifestyle changes. Talk to your health care provider about creating a healthy meal plan, and exercise routines that are safe for you.