Menopause marks a significant transition in a woman's life and is often accompanied by a variety of unpleasant physical and emotional symptoms. Understanding and managing these symptoms can greatly improve one's quality of life through this natural and very important...
A prescriber’s take on Oprah’s TV special “Shame, blame and the weight loss revolution”
Conveniently located to serve Portland, Scarborough, and Cumberland County Book a Free, Confidential ScreeningA prescriber’s take on Oprah’s TV special “Shame, blame and the weight loss revolution”
Additional Blogs:
Hormone Therapy for Men: Addressing Andropause and Low Testosterone
Men who have low testosterone levels can experience an array of symptoms that affect their physical and mental well-being, ultimately having a negative impact on their quality of life. One of the most common reasons for low testosterone in male patients is a condition...
Where (and how) you get your semaglutide matters – here’s why
The news last week that some big box chain stores are jumping on the “weight loss bandwagon” and offering semaglutide is troubling. We’re fully in favor of making this life-changing medication accessible to those who medically qualify, including financially, which is...
Are women “suffering enough” to get treatment?
Published by: Age Management Center “In the U.S., an estimated 6,000 women daily and more than 2 million women yearly reach menopause. With an average life expectancy of 81, women are spending greater than one-third of their lives in menopause.” Mayo Clinic Menopause...
Debunking Misconceptions: The Importance of Personalized Therapy in Menopause Care
Published by: Age Management Center Recently, The Lancet published a series highlighting concerns about the over-medicalization of menopause, sparking discussions about the treatment approaches for this transitional phase in a woman's life. While we wholeheartedly...
For anyone that didn’t catch Oprah’s recent TV special “Shame, blame and the weight loss revolution”, we hope that you can take time to find it on Hulu or ABC, because there are so many powerful stories and messages that we wish our clients, and those considering weight loss medications, can take away from it.
“The number one thing I hope people come away with is knowing that [obesity] is a disease, and it’s in the brain.” – Oprah Winfrey1
We all know someone who has struggled with their weight—whether it be yourself, a friend, a family member or a colleague. And for those millions of people, diet and exercise, while vitally important, simply aren’t enough to manage weight control issues. Like Oprah, they might have even lost significant weight before, only to gain it back in the common yo-yo effect. This isn’t healthy, physically or emotionally. No one should have to worry this much about their weight without the support or resources to address it, just like we would have with any other medical condition.
For years we’ve been trying to explain to people that being overweight isn’t just a matter of self-control. Other, very physiologically and psychological factors come into play. It’s just as ABC News’ Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Ashton, said in the special: “It is conclusively known that the conditions of overweight and obesity are complex, chronic disease states, not character flaws … so they should be managed accordingly.”1
Unfortunately in our experience, we have seen many people express shame or reluctance to turn to prescription support for weight loss because of stigmas about needing to “go it alone” or “not wanting others to know.” Even Oprah herself said that before beginning her medical weight loss journey she felt she had to do it on her own “…because if I take the drug, that’s the easy way out.”2 We value discretion and privacy as much as we do patient wellbeing, but we also hope that Oprah’s message (and so many others’ that were on her special), resonate: there is no shame in taking steps to be healthier and happier.
“The fact that there’s a medically approved prescription for managing weight and staying healthier, in my lifetime, feels like relief, like redemption, like a gift, and not something to hide behind and once again be ridiculed for.”3
If you have questions about semaglutide, tirzepatide or any of the GLP an GLP-1 hormone weight loss medications, and whether they might be right for you, we’d love to help address your questions. Get in touch today for a free, no-commitment screening.
- https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Wellness/watch-exclusive-1st-clip-oprah-winfreys-special-drugs/story?id=108240222
- https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/oprah-obesity-drug-special-1235855313/
- https://www.today.com/health/diet-fitness/oprah-tv-special-ozempic-rcna143852