Recently, I was invited to attend a Wegovy dinner with a locally known Bariatric Surgeon, who presented on a new study finds of GLP1 and benefits. The article reflected on how GLP1 can reduce the risk of stroke, heart attacks and death from cardiovascular diseases amongst patients.
A study of 17,604 patients with overweight or obesity and a history of cardiovascular disease found that weekly semaglutide treatment reduced the risk of stroke, heart attack, or death from cardiovascular causes by 20%. This was the first time a medication or lifestyle therapy was shown to reduce cardiovascular events in this population.
As everyone applauded to the brilliance of this medication, inside I felt sad. Are we to now have our patients on this drug lifelong? What is the end game? There is none. You talk to any obesity specialist and we are taught the same thing. Forever. When I think of it, I feel the patient is just a cash cow. Really. no one studied how to successfully get the patient off the drug? Don't get me wrong, I agree with utilizing medications for many chronic illnesses but always the goal should be, how can we train our patients enough discipline and self-worth that they first get off the medications successfully and finally stay off them.
As Americans, we have just assumed ourselves as victims. The answer I get from experts is that sadly we live in an obesogenic environment so there is nothing we can do. Patients, as soon as they come off these drugs sadly gain almost all their weight back within 2 years. So, they need to stay on this almost $1000 per month drug to keep the weight off and not die of heart disease.
At Crabtree Health, I want to present a new way of fighting obesity. I want to teach patients rather than give medicines only. Our people deserve better care. Yes, there is an argument that we live in a weight promoting environment. Just look at the fast food restaurants. The line to chick-fil-a is out to the main road sometimes. Our children get chemicals packaged in nice cartoon boxes and labeled low sugar, all natural.
We want commitment from our patients rather than please doctor, I have heard about Wegovy, can you please prescribe it for me. As Physicians, we feel like we have some kind of magic power that we click a button and it goes straight to the pharmacy. Mission accomplished! We can do better for our patients. We have a moral task to educate, demonstrate and be on top of their future.
I once had a patient who came and saw me in primary care clinic. I gave it to him straight regarding his addiction of smoking. He saw no smoking cessation specialist, no extra bills, nothing. After our longer than average conversation, he came back to me and said, "Doc! I have quit smoking." I was surprised and asked how he did it. He simply said, "You said you believed in me. I just needed to hear that from someone." This man just needed more time and respect. I really believed in him. I wanted him to focus on his health and he did. But it required I spend more time explaining to him, encouraging him. Everyone, needs a doctor who believe in them.
I cannot tell you how excited I am to start my practice. I have the vision for my patients in front of me. Healthy, free of diseases and best of all happy and satisfied. I hope you will sign up to start this change. I encourage you all to dedicate yourself for a year or two to my weight loss program. I have many free articles to read on my site for your convenience and education. I hope to see you soon at Crabtree Health.
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