Why I Started a Medical Weight Loss Practice

Freedom.

Years ago, I was working with a patient in my primary care practice on their weight loss journey, and with proper diagnosis and treatment, a non-judgmental approach to care, they had remarkable success with weight loss, but also significant other health gains, their blood sugar reduced, joint pain lessened, and other real, health improvements. Beyond this, my patient said they had never felt like they could live the life they had been wanting to until now and they had felt that their body & health had been holding them back before. Now, they were free to live.

This work is my passion. I feel as though I have been led down a path that has clearly shown me that weight-loss directly improves health and quality of life for patients. There are many complicated factors in a person's health, but one thing I've seen in every patient with obesity or overweight is that when a person loses weight, other health issues improve. I know people like the results they see in the mirror. But when medications can be reduced or eliminated, when joints stop aching, when surgeries become unnecessary or safer, when patients tell me how much more they enjoy life, that's the stuff that excites me.  

Some patients come to me with a long history of health concerns, or new health challenges, and some others feel they are not living their best life for one reason or another. Everyone has a unique story. By diving deep with each individual, I can identify the root causes of their weight issues and take their complete health history into account. I spent many years in primary care, but found I couldn't devote the time I wanted for this type of patient interaction and care. Our current healthcare system pushes doctors to see more & more patients in less time, not to mention the paperwork, documentation, and coordination responsibilities. It can be a system that is not only frustrating for patients, but it's frustrating for doctors too. 

After an inspirational conversation with a physician friend, who practices obesity medicine, I decided to shadow him in his practice. I could quickly see that the outcomes were terrific and loved that he was making such an impact. I attended the Obesity Medicine Association National Conference and Board Review Course. All the lectures excited me about possibilities to really make a difference for people; nutrition, fitness, metabolic disease, health, microbiome, genetics, & inflammation, were the crux of medicine. I saw that addressing those issues could help me truly make a positive impact for my patients. Afterward, I further educated myself on the latest science of nutrition, fitness, and the impact on disease states, and took the Obesity Medicine Board Exam.

I started using what I learned in my primary care practice. I found most of my patients were interested in losing weight, especially when they weren't shamed into considering it. My patients were losing weight AND getting healthy! Blood pressure improved, reflux resolved, pain decreased, cholesterol improved. One patient was able to come off her oxygen. I reduced insulin doses by half. Fatty liver changes improved. I referred patients to dietitians or exercise physiologists, if they struggled, but many wouldn't go when not covered by insurance. This obstacle is particularly frustrating because I know patients' health can improve with the right support, thus reducing their overall cost of healthcare. Unfortunately, most insurance companies don't share this long-term view. 

All this led me to realize that there was a better and more effective approach to healthcare and weight loss than I was able to provide in my primary care practice. I knew that I had the perfect weight loss program in mind, one that allows me to spend plenty of time to learn about a patient's health history, both physically and psychologically. That the ideal program should include being able to teach patients about nutrition and fitness, as well as include regular touchpoints.

I had a fire in my belly that I had to do something different. I left my primary care practice and started Healthful Life MD.  

Since starting my practice, I have experienced such joy in being able to give people the level of care they deserve and seeing my patients become healthier, live better, and have the freedom to live the life they always wanted.