Anti-obesity medications can be valuable tools in supporting individuals with weight loss, but when deciding if this is a route you want to take, it’s crucial to acknowledge and address their potential side effects. Healthcare professionals have a duty to carefully evaluate each patient's unique circumstances, monitor their progress closely, and provide comprehensive support throughout their weight loss journey.Today I am joined by an absolute pioneer in obesity medicine, Dr. Carolynn Francavilla, as we dig into the common side effects of anti-obesity medications, how to avoid excessive weight gain during pregnancy, and weight loss recommendations for postpartum women.ReferencesDr. Carolynn Francavilla:WebsiteInstagram PodcastThe Obesity Medicine Start Up Course and ToolkitAudio Stamps04:32 - Dr. Francavilla tells us more about herself and what she does.06:10 - Dr. Rentea asks about the common side effects of anti-obesity medications, including constipation and diarrhea.13:46 - Dr. Francavilla discusses how she approaches weight loss with people who suffer from Binge Eating Disorder,20:58 - Dr. Francavilla gives advice around avoiding excessive weight gain during pregnancy. 28:25 - Dr. Rentea and Dr. Francavilla discuss weight loss recommendations for postpartum women.Quotes“If you get surgery before you've addressed that underlying binge eating disorder, I think you're at a really high risk to regain weight.”“Although weight loss before pregnancy can be beneficial to both mom and future babies, it's really important that we bridge that gap and that we make sure that we as doctors, if we are helping someone before pregnancy, are there for them during pregnancy.”“We have to accept the reality of where we're at and do the most powerful thing for our health right now.”“I often find the longer that people are overweight, the longer that we're not working on it.”“The majority of women are pretty close to their pre-pregnancy weight around 12 months. That's not to put pressure on anyone, but if you're finding that you are not close to where you were beforehand, don't wait any longer. Get some help.”All of the information on this podcast is for general informational purposes only. Please talk to your physician and medical team about what is right for you. No medical advice is being on this podcast. If you live in Indiana or Illinois and want to work with doctor Matthea Rentea, you can find out more on www.RenteaClinic.com