Weight loss doctors near Chicago - Bariatric Medicine

Dr. Lopez is a weight loss doctor near Chicago, who is certified by the American Board of Bariatric Medicine as a specialist in bariatrics. Bariatric medicine focuses on the treatment of obesity, its causes, and how to prevent putting on more weight. Obesity is a huge problem in America, and this overwhelming health condition can cause a lot of problems for patients. People who are obese have a greater risk for developing type II diabetes, heart disease, and different kinds of cancer. Bariatric medicine concentrates on all of these diseases and many others linked to obesity. In fact, bariatric medicine goes over all aspects of obesity with a patient, from its initial causes to prevention, and long term treatment.

Eating a well balanced diet and implementing an exercise routine is a part of bariatric medicine. The safest way to lose weight is to talk to your weight loss doctor and have him or her put you on a specific diet that will fulfill your needs. The doctor will tell you what kinds of foods to eat and monitor your calorie intake over time. Doctors also outline a quality exercise program suited toward your specific requirements. Exercise is extremely important in combating obesity and preventing it from reoccurring. When we exercise, we augment our metabolism, and the amount of calories we burn during our resting state. By increasing our metabolism through exercise, we are able to lose more weight over a shorter period of time. In addition to diet and exercise, behavioral therapy may be needed for individuals suffering from mental conditions that have sped up their obesity. People suffering from depression or anxiety may turn to food as a way to deal with their disorder. This negative reinforcing behavior can have physical life threatening consequences, if the individual does not get the help required. People with a negative attitude or a "down and out" mindset are going to have a much harder time keeping off the weight than someone who is thinking in a positive manner. Someone who is already engaged in "emotional caloric intake" needs the proper behavioral therapy in order to reverse the process. New types of thinking have to be put in place by the therapist for his or her patient, and these new behaviors will focus on other ways to deal with your mental disorder instead of overeating.

Sometimes medications are prescribed as a part of the bariatric medicine category. Commonly weight loss doctors will hold off on prescribing their patients weight loss medicines unless diet and exercise mechanisms have failed. The type of medication you are on will depend upon your specific case and what you require. These weight loss medications are intended for short term use only, kind of like a booster shot to get you moving in the right direction.

Weight loss surgery is another sub-category in the field of bariatric medicine. Surgery can come with its own complications. There can be post surgical problems, and sometimes multiple operations are required, if the initial operation fails to yield results. Bariatric surgery is usually only considered as a last resort measure to battling an obesity issue. Patients will need to get consent from their doctor, and may have to speak with several physicians before being allowed to have the surgery performed. Even when the surgery is finished, patients have to follow up with their physician’s post-surgery directions in order to have a chance at success. Someone who is not willing to listen to their doctor's advice is not going to do well in a post bariatric surgery situation. Implementing the proper lifestyle changes required on a long term basis will ultimately be the deciding factor in whether or not your surgery is a success.

If you have any questions or would like more information on bariatric medicine, please feel free to contact us at the number below. Dr. Lopez, a weight loss doctor near Chicago, started the Weight Reduction Center located in Cicero, just west of Chicago. Here, we have helped many patients lose weight through finding methods and routines that work specifically for them.

Call today at 708-546-5900 for availability and more information.
Walk-Ins Only. No Appointment Necessary.