Health

Medical Intervention for Obesity

Published

4 years ago

June 5, 2021

More than 40% of the adult population in America is overweight. Excess fat in your body puts your health at risk because you might develop chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, or cancer. However, you can manage your weight with your health specialist at Nova Physician Wellness Center who will develop a specific weight loss program for you.

What causes obesity?

Obesity is a long-term medical condition caused by excess fat in your body. Many factors cause obesity, including:

Lack of exercise. When you fail to take part in physical activity, a lot of fat accumulates in your body, making you overweight.

Consuming excess food. Overeating foods that contain high calories, such as potato fries and candy, puts you at a higher risk of being obese.

Medications. Different medicines may cause weight gain. For example, antidepressants are used to treat depression, anticonvulsants such as carbamazepine are used to manage seizures, contraceptives are used in family planning, and medicines are used to lower high blood pressure.

Genetics. You are likely to develop obesity if your parents are obese because genes control hormones that regulate fat in your body.

Being overweight puts your health at risk and could result in:

Sleep apnea makes breathing difficult and may cause snoring while you sleep
High blood pressure
Cardiovascular diseases like stroke
Osteoarthritis
Diabetes
Cancer
Gallstones
Gout

Losing weight can be challenging because you can have a relapse after some time. For long-term successful weight loss, your doctor at Nova Physician Wellness Center will work with a dietitian to develop an effective program to help shed extra fat in your body or use medications that enhance weight loss.

Your doctor will calculate the amount of fat in your body using methods like:

Bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA): You will stand on a scale with footpads that will send an electrical current through your body to calculate your body fat percentage.
Skin calipers: This technique is used to measure the thickness of fat under your skin, using a metal tool.

There are different methods that your doctor may recommend to help burn your calories, for example, the use of pills such as:

Lorcaserin will suppress your need to eat and help you lose bodyweight. You may experience side effects such as fatigue, nausea, headaches, dizziness, and a dry mouth.

Qsymia and Phentermine. Your doctor will recommend that you combine the two drugs for long-term use. Phentermine will help lower your appetite level, which will stop you from eating frequently.

Orlistat limits the amount of fat absorbed in your body. You may experience diarrhea, bloating, and stomach aches. Your doctor may suggest that you take multivitamins while using this medicine.

If your body does not respond to the medicine in 12 weeks, your doctor may suggest a surgical procedure. There are different types of surgery for weight loss, including:

Gastric bypass – Your surgeon will create a pouch above your stomach which causes you to eat small amounts of food and alters food processing in your body

Gastric band – Your doctor will reduce the size of your stomach by placing a band on top of your stomach. This will cause you to consume less food.

While taking medicines may help reduce your body fat, your physician may recommend that you take part in physical activity that includes:

Aerobic exercises involving walking or jogging. You can also use a treadmill to work out.
Yoga involves meditation, physical postures, and breathing techniques
Recreational activities like swimming and playing football
Doing house chores like cleaning

Your dietician will develop a meal plan containing foods with a low caloric density, such as vegetable soup, oats, Greek yogurt, berries, chia seeds, and eggs.

It is possible to lose weight and protect yourself from the risk of developing severe conditions like diabetes and strokes. Book a session with your health specialist at Nova Physician Wellness Center and start your weight loss journey.

Health

Dr. Raghu Athré: Beyond the Surface: The Mind-Skin Connection in Aesthetic Medicine

Published

3 days ago

March 18, 2025

Michelle Langton

Before becoming one of the most sought-after facial cosmetic surgeons in Houston, Dr. Raghu Athré’s academic journey began at the University of Texas at Austin, where he graduated with honors in Chemical Engineering. His deep-rooted passion for understanding how things work—both functionally and aesthetically—laid the foundation for his career in plastic surgery. For Dr. Athré, the parallels between engineering and surgery are unmistakable: both require precision, analysis, attention to detail, and strategic problem-solving.

Dr. Athré’s expertise extends beyond surgical precision. He recognizes that beauty is not just skin deep—stress, anxiety, and emotional well-being play critical roles in dermatological and aesthetic concerns. This understanding has led him to explore the field of psychodermatology, a specialty that examines the powerful connection between mental health and skin conditions.

“Psychodermatology has become a buzzword ever since a strong relationship was shown between acne patients and depression.” said Dr. Athré. “To treat these patients effectively, physicians must address both the patient’s acne and depression simultaneously for optimal results. This highlights the connection between how we look and how we feel.”

A similar trend is evident among many of Dr. Athré’s facial rejuvenation patients. Unscripted patient interviews reveal that patients feel more awake, alert, confident, and self-assured after surgery. This pattern is also observed in many rhinoplasty patients, who often change how they engage with the world post-surgery due to increased self-confidence. These observations underscore the importance of a holistic approach to patient care in contemporary aesthetic medicine.

What is Psychodermatology?

Psychodermatology examines the intricate relationship between the mind and skin, focusing on how psychological stress and emotional well-being directly influence skin health. Conditions such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, and even premature aging have been linked to stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health struggles. This field bridges dermatology with psychological and emotional care, offering a more holistic approach to skincare and aesthetic treatments.

The mind-skin connection becomes particularly evident when a patient’s emotional state exacerbates or triggers skin conditions. For example, stress-induced acne breakouts are a common issue, as the body’s response to emotional stress can lead to hormonal fluctuations, which in turn affect the skin. Similarly, individuals battling with anxiety or depression may experience worsened symptoms of psoriasis or eczema, as emotional distress can amplify the immune response.

An Approach to Aesthetic and Skin Wellness

The rise of psychodermatology marks a shift in how both patients and healthcare providers approach skin conditions. Instead of viewing the skin as merely a surface to treat, psychodermatology emphasizes the importance of emotional and psychological health in the overall management of skin conditions. Patients dealing with skin issues are encouraged to address their emotional well-being as part of their skincare regimen, fostering not just physical but mental health in tandem.

This field also highlights the importance of treating the patient as a whole person rather than focusing solely on external beauty. While cosmetic procedures can improve physical appearance, psychodermatology helps ensure that patients are also given the tools to support their mental health, which plays a key role in maintaining long-term skin wellness.

Bridging Aesthetics, Science, and Mental Well-Being

As the understanding of psychodermatology continues to grow, there is increasing recognition of the need to treat mental health concerns in conjunction with skin conditions. Innovative treatments are emerging that combine dermatological care with psychological interventions, offering patients an integrated approach to wellness. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness practices, for example, can be used alongside traditional dermatological treatments to reduce stress and improve skin health.

The future of aesthetic medicine is poised to be more inclusive, recognizing that true beauty encompasses not just a person’s outward appearance but their emotional and mental well-being as well. As psychodermatology continues to evolve, it offers the potential to transform how we approach skin care, focusing not just on the exterior but on the holistic well-being of the individual.

By merging the science of dermatology with the psychology of the mind, psychodermatology provides a groundbreaking approach to skincare—one that is as much about healing the mind as it is about enhancing the skin.

For more information or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Raghu Athré, visit https://www.athrefacialplastics.com/facial-surgery/facial-rejuvenation/ or call 281-214-9324