Certified obesity physician helps patients find appropriate weight loss solutions

Last year, Alok Gupta, M.D., and Kami Whitney, PA-C, at Arjun Medical Center in Gainesville, each took courses to improve their understanding of obesity.

In December, Dr.  Gupta became a certified obesity physician after successfully passing an examination given by the American Board of Obesity Medicine. This enables the practice to expand the services on an individual basis to its patients. Gupta and Whitney have been doing that ever since.

They have been getting out the word of the new service through their patients and on Facebook.

According to the Arjun Medical Center’s website, “Obesity is a complex disease affecting all aspects of a person’s life, from finances and social relationships to mental and physical health. We are dedicated to helping our patients find appropriate weight loss solutions that fit their lifestyle and goals.”

Many health problems including the possibility of diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, depression, and certain cancers can be exacerbated by obesity.
 
Whitney explained there are many ways to measure body fat, including the Body Mass Index (BMI), waist circumference and waist to hip ratio. 
At the Arjun Medical Center, each patient with a weight problem has his or her own plan to combat obesity or being overweight. One area is through medicines taken by a patient. 

There is evidence that two-thirds of people are either overweight or obese.  “We start with where the patient is,” said Whitney.

A patient starts with blood work and comes in once a month.

“We look at the medicines being taken by a patient,” said Gupta.

“Some of them can cause weight gain. Others can reduce depression. Lorcaserin, Qsymia, Contrave, Liraglutide are relatively new drugs that curb appetite, help with depression or make one feel full. All have side effects, but they are helping in producing weight loss.”

“We follow up. We do not abruptly stop medicines,” said Gupta.  “We wean them off of them when necessary.”

Patients most likely will undergo a change in their diets and meals under the program.

“We look at how people eat. We recommend a low carb diet, a modified Atkins Diet,” said Gupta.

They often suggest an intermittent fasting diet where you alternate eating as much as you want one day followed by 500 calories the next day.  Gupta points out the dieter will still eat less overall as a result, but will not feel deprived–knowing a full day of eating is always just a day away.

Exercising is not part of the weight loss discussion at the Arjun Medical Center, although Gupta and Whitney recognize it provides other benefits, including building muscle, promoting a positive attitude and mental health. Gupta said exercising does not generate weight loss, perhaps because muscle replaces lighter fat in the body.

“We follow our patients with their weight loss,” said Gupta.

Sleep apnea is an area that appears to be tied to being overweight.

“We have a machine for patients to take home to test themselves,” Gupta said.  The doctor noted that this is a large savings when compared to sleep tests in hospital facilities. 

He said the goal for overweight and obese patients is to lose five percent of their weight in 12 weeks. There are no out of pocket costs for patients in this program. 

Among other aids in weight loss, Gupta and Whitney may suggest a patient have gastric bypass surgery on occasion. As with any program, bypass surgery is part of an individual plan according to what best serves the patient, they noted.

Diet and medications are also tailored to the individual patient. 

Gupta and Whitney work out of the Arjun Medical Center at 7350 Heritage Village Plaza in Gainesville. Hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday; 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday; 8 a.m. to noon, the first and third Saturdays a month. Call 571-248-6666 or go to alokguptamd.com.