An Oprah Special: Stop the Shame & Blame of Weight Loss

“Let’s stop the shaming and blaming.” - Oprah Winfrey

“An Oprah Special: Shame, Blame and the Weight Loss Revolution,” aired recently on ABC and HULU. Oprah recorded the special to discuss the impact of weight-loss drugs and injectables after recently revealing her personal use of them. While weight-loss drugs and injectables can be an effective short-term strategy, the long-term success and safety are still being researched and is unknown. 

Oprah was joined by executives, paid medical consultants from weight-loss injectable pharmaceutical companies (such as those who make Ozempic, Mounjaro, Zepbound and Wegovy), and those who wished to share their weight-loss stories for this special.

“It is a very personal topic for me and for the hundreds of millions of people impacted around the globe who have for years struggled with weight and obesity”, said Oprah.

During the special, Oprah drove the point home that obesity is a disease and not a choice. The discussion shed light on individual’s own success stories with medical weight-loss medications, and also provided answers to how these medications work and who they are intended for.

NYBG’s Perspective

Here’s what Oprah absolutely got right: obesity is a disease. Dr. Nikhilesh R. Sekhar, part of the NYBG’s team of dedicated providers, describes obesity not as “a lifestyle choice or moral failing, but a treatable condition.”

Dr. Sekhar highlights the importance of recognizing weight-loss medication as a method that provides a “more consistent and long-term solution” when compared to diets. Most importantly, it’s crucial to not “let shame or stigma hold you back from seeking help.”

Watch Dr. Sekhar’s full response:

Your Weight-Loss Journey

We are here to help. At New York Bariatric Group, we understand obesity as a complicated lifelong disease, which is why we offer professional guidance and support in your weight-loss journey.  Whether you are considering bariatric surgery or a doctor-supervised medical weight-loss program, NYBG can help you choose the best avenue for long-term weight loss. Choosing a partner to help you lose weight is a big decision. NYBG stands out for its commitment to excellence and comprehensive support.

New York Bariatric Group: Weight-Loss Leader 

NYBG is the leader in comprehensive weight-loss solutions. We are a one-stop shop, offering long-term weight-loss surgery as well as medically-supervised weight loss such as medications and injectables. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to losing weight. At NYBG, we work with you to customize a weight-loss program that will work best for you. 

Weight-loss drugs and injectables have been shown to be an effective short-term strategy, but the long-term effects and safety is still unknown. With our Medical Weight Loss Program the ongoing supervision allows doctors to make necessary adjustments to a patient’s treatment plan based on their progress and changes to their health. 

Weight-loss surgery is the only proven long-term weight-loss solution. With decades of research, patients have seen sustainable weight loss. We offer multiple weight-loss surgery procedures and our doctors will work with you to find the right option. 

Our practice is the best around: 

• Over 30 surgeons who are leaders in bariatrics, plastic surgery, and medical weight loss.
• 42,000 successful procedures performed with more every day
• The #1 gastric balloon practice by volume – most balloons placed in the United States
• Access to online seminars, support groups, cooking demos, and Q-and-A sessions
• 100s of videos for patients explaining procedures, answering common questions, and showcasing previous patients
• Multiple offices located in three states; NY, NJ, CT
• Offering in-person and virtual consultations
• Since 2000, we boast over 23 years of success!

All of our hospitals are Metabolic Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) accredited facilities, which is a prestigious designation bestowed upon only the top-quality bariatric programs.

Stop waiting; start achieving better health today. Together, we’ve got this!