Losing the Weight

You can't help but see it everywhere in the news; obesity is an epidemic throughout the United States. Today, Americans are obsessed with weight loss — in San Francisco, San Jose, Sacramento; in fact across California and beyond. People magazine features weight loss success stories every few months, The Biggest Loser is one of the most popular television shows, and even Nickelodeon is now addressing the childhood obesity epidemic with a similar television program.

45 million Americans diet or feel like they need to lose weight and $5 billion is spent each year on weight loss related problems. Not surprisingly, 55% of Americans feel that they are over their ideal body weight. Obviously, the media has convinced us that if we're significantly overweight we don't fit today's cultural ideal. Putting aside attractive appearance for a moment, why is obesity a problem?

Obesity creates remarkable physical demands on your body. Carrying around much more than your ideal weight often translates into serious medical problems including high blood pressure, diabetes, pulmonary hypertension, skin breakdown and muscle and bone pain. Equally significant is the emotional pain of feeling unattractive or even ridiculed. Studies have shown that obese people are discriminated against in several subtle and not-so-subtle ways in our society.

Getting Started with Weight Loss in Sacramento and Beyond

If you're just getting started with weight loss, you should know that there are resources available to assist you. The best news of all is that the weight loss community is a tightly-knit group of people who share ideas and find other ways to support each other.

We've compiled an extensive list of support groups, Web sites and more to help get you on your way. Read through it and discover why weight loss is a journey you don't have to undertake alone.

And for a word of extra encouragement, check out this recent article. See how one of the first long term studies of weight loss patients shows they are lowering their risk of premature death by 30 to 40%.

As the Pounds Drop Away

But you probably already know about weight loss statistics and resources. Since you're here, you have probably already lost a significant amount of weight or you're in the process of doing so. You'll likely agree that many obesity-related problems resolve themselves as you shed pounds. But there's one problem that doesn't take care of itself: excess skin. That's where Dr. David Kaufman can help.

In fact, the Sacramento plastic surgeon has extensive experience with post-weight loss patients, and he encourages you to request a consultation with him as you approach your target weight. It's helpful to share information and expectations and begin discussing a surgical plan as you're drawing closer to your goal.

Dr. Kaufman has worked with weight loss patients from Northern California towns like Modesto, Stockton and Redding, in addition to serving his local Sacramento area clients. Patients have come to him from across the United States and even internationally. He knows that a surgeon and patient make a long term commitment to each other. Part of that commitment is to help you prepare for plastic surgery, one of the final and most gratifying phases of your journey, and Dr. Kaufman looks forward to connecting with you.

Call 916-983-9895 and make time to come meet with him soon in his office on East Bidwell Street in Folsom. His encouragement just may give you the little push you need to reach your finish line.