The Obesity Guide with Matthea Rentea MD Matthea Rentea MD

If you are overweight or obese and planning to have surgery, it's important to understand how excess weight can put you at risk for certain side effects and complications, whether from the surgery itself or the anesthesia you need. To help me explore the unique challenges people with obesity face when undergoing surgery, I invited Dr. Sarah Bodin, a double board-certified physician in obesity medicine and anesthesia, to join me for this week’s episode.Together, we delve into the complexities ...

You've probably heard me rant about it before, but it’s worth emphasizing again: BMI is NOT the be-all and end-all statistic measuring our health. Widely adopted in medicine and by insurance companies, it's often used to justify various treatments and decisions. But the truth is, BMI measurements can be downright misleading, especially for those who have undergone significant weight loss.In this episode, I'm going to illustrate just how flawed BMI can be, using a case study of two patie...

Are you grappling with the side effects of GLP-1 medications? If so, you're not alone. In previous episodes, we've tackled some of the most common challenges that patients face when starting these medications, including sulfur burps and nausea. Today, we're diving deeper into three additional hurdles that can crop up along your GLP-1 medication journey: persistent headaches after injections, exaggerated responses to viral illnesses, and appetite suppression or low desire for food.These three ...

Nausea is one of the most frequently reported side effects of GLP-1 agonist medications used in obesity treatment, such as Zepbound, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Victoza. Although not everyone will experience it, the nature of these anti-obesity medications can often lead to nausea, caused by the slowing of gastric emptying.Anyone who has experienced nausea before, especially during pregnancies, will understand just how debilitating it can be, impacting your daily life and work. So, what level of na...

Ever had a burp that smells like bad eggs? It’s certainly not pleasant - especially in a social setting! But like most medications, anti-obesity medications come with side effects that you may have to navigate, particularly at the start of your journey. And one side effect that I don't hear enough people talk about, are sulfur burps.So today, we’re doing a deep dive into why sulfur burps can happen on anti-obesity medication, what to avoid, and potential remedies to alleviate symptoms. We’ll ...

While psychiatric medications can be essential for improving mental health, they often come with unwanted side effects, including weight gain. Historically, a lack of integration between psychiatrists and other healthcare providers has meant that the impact of these medications on weight has often been overlooked.Today, I’m excited to bring Dr. Mark Novitsky (husband of Dr. Ali Novitsky!) into the conversation, who is board-certified in child and adolescent psychiatry, adult psychiatry, and o...