Although obesity is a chronic and complex metabolic disease, maintaining a healthy weight is often framed as a matter of willpower. For decades, weight-loss surgery was one of the most effective options for treating morbid obesity, but as GLP-1 medications become more readily available, protocols are shifting. Bariatric surgeon Dr. Husain Abbas wants patients to know that “obesity is not a character flaw” and numbers on a scale are less important than improving overall metabolic health. He discusses how GLP-1 medications and weight-loss surgery can co-exist within long-term treatment plans, why losing muscle along with fat can be problematic especially for older adults and the consequences of losing insurance coverage for these costly medications.
Guest: Dr. Husain Abbas, general and bariatric surgeon, fellow of the American College of Surgeons
DO vs. MD
Nearly one-third of medical students today are pursuing osteopathic medicine, a field focused on treating the whole individual and understanding the connections between mind, body and overall health. As the healthcare field becomes increasingly driven by artificial intelligence, precision treatments and specialized care, many physicians and patients alike are missing the human connection. The president and CEO of the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine explains what sets osteopathic doctors’ training apart from traditional medical programs and how its emphasis on listening and hands-on care is influencing the future of medicine.
Guest: Dr. Robert Cain, president and CEO of the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine